Tracing my great, great grandparents on my mother's side, Dunton, Smithson.

[KGarrad]

Thanks for your help.
I looked as far as I could but I'm new to this so I don't really know how or where to search, but I figured that London in the mid 19th century would have been teeming with people and that it wouldn't be easy to locate my ancestors from among the masses.
The Australian records seem to be more comprehensive so I haven't had much trouble tracing their movements after their arrival, it's probably because there were far fewer people here, I've even managed to unearth some relevant newspaper cuttings.
I guess there wasn't anything very special about the sons and daughters of labourers and toothbrush makers in London circa1820. 

Your problem is the timeline!

Civil Registration (and Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates) began on 1st July 1837.
The first census, of any use to Family History, was that of 1841.
Passenger Lists only survive from 1890.

So we need to look at other sources - such as Parish Registers, or legal documents.
These aren't always handily available online!

[budsyblues]

Thanks for that, and a very nice hand had Richard Smithson.

[budsyblues]

Thanks for your help.
I looked as far as I could but I'm new to this so I don't really know how or where to search, but I figured that London in the mid 19th century would have been teeming with people and that it wouldn't be easy to locate my ancestors from among the masses.
The Australian records seem to be more comprehensive so I haven't had much trouble tracing their movements after their arrival, it's probably because there were far fewer people here, I've even managed to unearth some relevant newspaper cuttings.
I guess there wasn't anything very special about the sons and daughters of labourers and toothbrush makers in London circa1820. 

Your problem is the timeline!

Civil Registration (and Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates) began on 1st July 1837.
The first census, of any use to Family History, was that of 1841.
Passenger Lists only survive from 1890.

So we need to look at other sources - such as Parish Registers, or legal documents.
These aren't always handily available online!

Indeed.
I'm resigned to the fact that I may not get far, on this branch of the tree I'm currently back five generations so I guess I'm doing OK.
If that's as far as we can go then so be it.

[AMBLY]

I guess there wasn't anything very special about the sons and daughters of labourers and toothbrush makers in London circa1820. 

I believe everyone has their own special story  - and how lucky are we to have the resources and records to try discover and tell it! 

You might find this website about brush makers interesting:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/kdoughty/drawing.html

Amazing part in it about how many cattle were needed to provide the bone for tooth-brush handles!

Cheers
AMBLY

[budsyblues]

I believe everyone has their own special story  - and how lucky are we to have the resources and records to try discover and tell it! 

I agree.
I only recently embarked on the journey to discover my recent origins but the process has been fascinating and very educational.
I was talking to my friend about it today and saying how it makes you appreciate that you're only a minute and rather insignificant part of the overall humanity, even though within your own family and close circle of friends you are important.
It's very grounding, and well worthwhile.

You might find this website about brush makers interesting:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/kdoughty/drawing.html
Amazing part in it about how many cattle were needed to provide the bone for tooth-brush handles!

Cheers
AMBLY

Remarkable.
Where I live there are a large number of outworkers, mostly from South East Asia, sewing up various garments in garages, converted shops and houses, mostly at poverty level wages, and my mother did the same in the inter war period of the last century.
So nothing much has changed.