Wallis family, Guiting Power and Stanway

[mercian41]

I am looking specifically for Benjamin Wallis who lived in Stanway/Wood Stanway from around 1695 until his death which, I understand from another source, was in c1727.  He married Ann Gilson (b 1682, Bourton on the Hill) and had at least five sons by her. After Ann's death in 1716 Benjamin re-married to Elizabeth (?) and fathered 2 children.  My ancestor, Joseph Wallis, was born in 1721. 

There is strong evidence of a Wallis (variants) family in Guiting Power from the late C16, with a putative father for Benjamin, Richard Wallis, b.1642. Although several children of Richard are recorded in the parish register 1669-1689,  there is no Benjamin recorded, although there is a significant gap between 1671 and 1679 when he may have been born.  It's worth noting that Benjamin's first two sons were named Benjamin (b.1703) and Richard (b.1705)

As others have remarked, there appears to be a dearth of records online for a number of North Gloucs. parishes, not helped by the general problems associated with the Commonwealth and early Restoration periods.  I would find it useful to establish what records (including Bishop's Transcripts) might be available at Gloucs. RO.  I would be extremely grateful for additional information.

[chempat]

Why not contact Gloucester RO and ask them what they have got - cut out the middle man?

http://www.ancestor-search.info/CRO-Gloucestershire.htm

http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives/article/107389/Family-history-resources

[mercian41]

Thanks for your reply.

Unfortunately I have never found either Gloucs. RO (or Gloucs FHS, for that matter) very helpful with regard to this query.  When I last contacted the RO, about 3 years ago, they explained that they could not answer research queries by email and that I should arrange to make a 'personal visit'.  The Family History Society is something else - I was required to jump over so many obstacles I gave up in the finish.  Most of my research is due entirely to my own efforts.

[Victor Harvey]

Hi,
Gloucestershire Archives (GA) hold the following microfiche records for St Peter, Stanway:-
From 1573 - Baptisms & Burials
From 1574 - Marriages
I am a volunteer at both GA and the Gloucestershire Family History Society (GFHS) and would be willing to do any specific lookups for you. I shall be visiting GA on Saturday, 3rd January 2015, so please post your request before then.
Victor 

[mercian41]

Victor

I live in N. Essex, and no longer drive following a series of eye operations, so thank you very much indeed for your very kind offer. 

The essentials of my search are contained in my first post. It is likely that you will need to look at the Guiting Power registers as well as those of Stanway. 

From Guiting Power registers I have the following:

Richard Woolla(f) (long 's'!), bapt. 7 Aug 1642 - putative father of Benjamin.

Children:

Richard Wollaffe  b.1669
John Woollose b.1671

(Benjamin??) -  I believe Benjamin could have been born in the 8-year gap 1672-78, if indeed he 'belongs' within this family.

Mary Wollof b.1679
Eleanour Wollaffe b.1685
Jane Woolasse b1689

(Contemporary with the Wallis family is a family by the name of Woollams in and around Guiting Power, so there exists the possibility of some confusion.)

On the evidence available it is quite possible that Benjamin may have been baptised in Stanway or another nearby parish, e.g. Didbrook.  I have looked at these registers online in the past without success. 

A certain amount of information regarding Benjamin came to me via an indirect route.  A very distant relative, now deceased, carried out research on the Wallis family some 30+ years ago, without access to the technical resources we enjoy today.  He drew a blank with Benjamin. The information I have about Benjamin's marriage to Ann Gilson (c1700) came from this source. I have no information about his second marriage (c1716?) other than his wife's given name, Elizabeth, and it's possible this marriage did not take place in Stanway.  I have been unable to corroborate the date of 1727 given to me for Benjamin's death, and it is a pity that there are no death records available for Stanway.

Please let me know if you require clarification on any of the above points, and once again, many thanks.

[Victor Harvey]

Hi,
OK, I've printed off your post and have re-read your first paragraph. At this stage I'll stick to the St Peter, Stanway, PRs and gather what I can this Saturday.
I'll get back to you with my findings. If the microfiche is hard to read, I'll order up the actual PR for perusal the following Tuesday.
Victor

[Victor Harvey]

Hi,
Source: Glos Archives (GA) P308 IN 1/1 & 1/2, St Peter, Stanway, PRs:-
14th July 1721, Joseph, son of Benjamin WALLIS of Stanway, baptised.
7th October 1727, a Benjamin WALLIS of Stanway buried.
These 2 PRs are all in Latin, which I don't read, but I had assistance from the GA staff.
Both these PRs are a bit higgledy-piggledy, and I am unable to carry out any more lookups due to the time involved; you obviously need a researcher. I can put you in touch with a local A1 researcher if you wish.
I'll have a go at Guiting Power for you if you can detail the exact lookup/s you require. Trying to take in all your detail is time-consuming and a precise request will make it so much easier. I have many lookups to do on each visit to GA and time is of the essence.
Victor

[mercian41]

Hi, Victor!

Many thanks for your email and your efforts to tackle my requests. You have been able to confirm two important dates for me, the baptism of my ancestor, Joseph Wallace, in 1721, and the burial date for Benjamin.  I can well understand that the time you are able to spend on individual requests is limited just from the sheer volume here in the forum!

Since my earlier messages, on glancing at some of my documentation I was reminded of the problem of the 'Latin' in the parish register, and also of the fact that there are no extant records for
Stanway for the year 1666/7.

I'll get back to you regarding Guiting Power in the next few days, if I may - we're quite busy planning a major project at home at the moment - and I'll certainly bear in mind your recommendation of a researcher.  The main thing is that you've been able to set me on the road, and that's great!

Regards

Geoff

[mercian41]

Hi, Victor!


Follow on from previous post, re. Guiting Power baptisms:

1. Could you look specifically for the baptism of Benjamin Wallis in the period 1660-1675? (You may pick up incidentally the baptisms of other family members.  All appear to be children of Richard Wallis (b.1642).)

There are variant spellings of the Wallis surname in this register, e.g.: Wallasse/Wollasse; also spellings with the long 's', mis-transcribed as 'f', e.g. Wollof(fe).

The surname 'Wollams' also appears in this register and could potentially cause confusion.

Please do not feel under any pressure to carry out this search; I am very grateful for what you have offered to do, given the difficulties presented by these registers.

Regards

Geoff