James and Ann Smith and son William of Eversholt, Bedfordshire

[Terri Smith]

I am a descendant of William Smith (b 1823) son of James & Ann of Eversholt.  Williams son was born Sidney Smith Sharp (1845) mother Caroline Sharp. Caroline married shortly after his birth to a William Valentine and went on to have more children, etc etc. Sidney changed his name to Sidney William Smith around, definitely before, his marriage. The certificate states his father as William smith occupation currier.  And for many many years my branch of the Smith family has not known his fathers identity. 
Through a DNA match on MyHeritage I have managed to locate William.  My DNA matchs ancestor was Emma Smith of Eversholt, another of James and Ann’s children. She married a BErwick and the 1851census has Emmas daughter Ann (granddaughter) listed in the household of James and Ann Smith, Gwyn st, Bedford.  William is also residing with them.   The same address as on Sidney’s birth certificate.   
It appears that William never married and ended up living in Westoning according to later censuses.  I cannot see any death record for him. 
I am wondering if anyone is willing to share info on this family. Especially pre James and Ann. 
There appears very little in the ways of records online.  Sidney and family immigrated to New Zealand so there is no chance of me looking up the actual records.
Any info would be gladly received.
I note that Pedros and Bedfordshire boy are related to me?
Thanks heaps

[bedfordshire boy]

Hi Terri
Welcome to Rootschat!

Tell  me more! How are we connected? I'm not sure I'd be prepared to admit that I was connected to me!

Bedfordshire is very well covered on www.familysearch.org with virtually all baptisms and marriages pre 1813 having been extracted.

I can't see baptisms for either William or Emma in Eversholt, nor for Elizabeth, another daughter in 1851, nor an obvious marriage for James Smith and Ann. Ann was a widow aged 62 in 1851, born Kempston.

Have you found the family in 1841? (later: I think I've found them in Gwyn St, James 55 and Ann 50)


David

[StevenG]

There is a burial at Bedford Cemetery of William Smith, 33, of Gwyn Street, on 7 November 1856.

[johnP-bedford]

As per Bedford Mercury 4 Oct 1862
Bedford Charity - Marriage Portions...
Following maidens & intended husbands...
Elizabeth Smith, 33, Gwyn Street - W J Robinson, 29, printer, Silver Street

[bedfordshire boy]

I reckon James and Ann had another daughter, Mary, born 1816 or earlier, who married John Adams in 1833 in Ridgmont, and their daughter Ann Adams' birth was recorded  at Ridgmont Baptist Church. This Ann was in the same house in Gwyn St in 1841 as the Smiths, and Emma Smith was living in Ridgmont with the Adams in 1841, prior to marrying Mr Berwick;

If Mary Smith was Baptist it might explain why there aren't any baptisms in the Established Church for children of James and Ann.

David

[bedfordshire boy]

A Joel Smith, son of James and Ann, born 16 Oct 1818 (in Eversholt per 1851 census), was baptised in Leighton Buzzard on 6 Nov 1844. Either his parents were very lax about baptising their children or else they were non-conformist.

David

[StevenG]

Various Bedford Cemetery burials:-

31 May 1842 James Smith, 61, Gwyn Street
5 Jan 1845 James Smith, 59, Gwyn Street - take your pick of these two
19 Nov 1861 Ann Smith, 73, Gwyn Street
12 Sep 1866 Elizabeth Robinson, 38, Silver Street (see John P's post. There is no marriage in Bedford, but a possible in Wokingham Registration District in Sep Quarter 1862. William John Robinson is married to someone else in 1871.)

31 Oct 1842 Sarah Smith married a Philip Smith at Bedford St Paul's
26 Sep 1869 Annie Smith Berwick married Frederick Norman at Bedford St Paul's

[Terri Smith]

I read somewhere online that the first five children of James & Ann were baptised at westoning Baptist.
In the 1861 census there is a William Smith born at Westoning and boarding with a family of Sharps in Clophill. Sharp being Sidney’s original surname. I am waiting on his mothers marriage certificate in the post to tell me her fathers name so I might track her family down.
In the 1881 census, there is a William Smith born and living at Westoning.  I assumed that these were my William Smith but maybe not!
That Burial sounds like him Steveng.
So I’m imagining they are all baptists hence the lack of records.  Surely the records of the Baptist churches are available somewhere?

[bedfordshire boy]

Baptists don't do infant baptisms so it can be difficult to trace families.

Many Baptist church books have been transcribed and are available from Beds FHS/Bedford Archives

David