Genealogy Chat

I could really do with some help - I'm going round in circles - and getting nowhere. My GGGt Grandfather, William Splevins (Spleving, Sploven etc.) born c.1799, probably in Bedfordshire, though lived in Cambs/Hunts. His wife's name was Laetitia - I have no idea of her surname but she was, supposedly, born in Bucks. On re-checking the Census, one has him down as Samuel - this has really confused me! I have two contacts - both are related - both have William Splevins in their tree. However, one was born in Goldington, Beds., the other in Cardington, Beds., neither though had a wife named Laetitia. I would really appreciate any advice/assistance. Thanks, M. Steer

Margaret, Have you looked in Ancestry, Under world trees, there's a Paul Mann has a lot of info about William Splevins. Barbara.

Barbara, thankyou. Paul Mann is one of my contacts. His William was married to someone other than my Laetitia. M. Steer

Very many researchers make mistakes. Rely on your own research. Do all the children tally? 1841 July Spleman 13 Lely Spleman 10 Lety Spleman 35 Samuel Spleman 4 William Spleman 35 1851 Lydia Sewell 2 Leticia Splevings 54 Lydia Splevings 17 Samuel Splevings 14 Wm Splevings 52

Margaret, i'm not very good at this but ive had a look and found a Leticia Splevins 54 yrs married to a William Splevins aged 52 yrs in 1851 but it's in Buckinghamshire Offord Darcy Huntingdonshire along with Lydia aged 2 Samual 14 Lydia 17 viewing 151-200 it's prob not the one your looking for Hazelx

I'm no expert either, but could you try family reconstruction from the various census/birth etc information? If you ask Ancestry to find Spl?vin* who lived in England between 1775 and 1910 (any first name), it can only identify between 20 to 40 census entries each year; plus just 58 births, 37 marriages and 46 deaths on Free BMD between 1837 and 1983. This does seem small enough to be a feasible exercise. There will of course be mistranscriptions and the Free BMD is not yet complete, but you could then probably begin to tease apart the families that relate to your tree, and those that don't. All the best

Thanks all for your replies. Jim, how did you get Splemen from Splevins? Yes the childrens names and ages fit. I'm very grateful, but am now even more confused than before. The surname is spelt (spelled?) differently every time. Thanks again, M. Steer

I found them by searching; let* sple* This does not solve your problem. I would go back to 1901 and double check every step to find where you and your contacts disagree.

Thanks Jim, I've had a go with the asterix - amazing what it can do! I now have William (alias Samuel) and Lety on '41, '51 and '61 Census. After that they both seem to have vanished. I've found a Death in 1866 but can't be sure it's my William - obviously I should order the Death Certificate. Unfortunately my contacts have as little 'concrete' evidence as I. We each have William born about the same year but each has a different wife. If you have anymore tricks like the asterix please do tell me. M. Steer

hi Margaret. With census its as well to remember that the taker may be writing down what he hears from the occupants of the property. I know a lot of my relatives were illiterate and the names recorded could be quite different from those they were baptised with - for instance Betsy rather than Elizabeth because that was the name she was known by. Dialect is another complication. I have a Gethumas in my tree taken from a census but can't find him recorded anywhere - anyone else heard the name ? Yvonne

Yvonne, tell me about it! Not only do 'my lot' change their Christian names but their Surnames as well. Thanks, M. Steer

This is the other William. As far as the census shows he had two daughters Mary and Sarah.So it depends which offspring you are researching. 1851 England Census about William Splerins Name: William Splerins [William Splevins] Age: 52 Estimated birth year: abt 1799 Relation: Head Spouse's name: Mary Gender: Male Where born: Harrowden, Bedfordshire, England Civil parish: Bedford St John Town: Bedford County/Island: Bedfordshire Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: Disability: View image Registration district: Bedford Sub-registration district: Bedford and Cardington ED, institution, or vessel: 2d Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 6 Household Members: Name Age Joseph Hall 19 Son in law(mary's husband?) Mary Splerins 44 Sarah Splerins 10 William Splerins 52

I would imagine your contacts are not using the census but familysearch. 2. WILLIAM SPLEVINS - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Christening: 30 APR 1797 Cardington, Bedford, England 3. WILLIAM SPLEVIN - International Genealogical Index Gender: Male Christening: 21 OCT 1798 Goldington, Bedford, England

Jim, I think you're right (they probably are using the IGI) but I'm no expert. I think there are probably three William Splevins (perhaps cousins). The one I'm researching is a direct decendant (whereas the others are not) so I want to get it right. Thanks for your help, M. Steer