Genealogy Chat

I know I have the right gt.grandparents but in spite of thorough searches I have not been able to prove the next generation of Rayners and now I don’t know where else to look. The facts are below:

Gt.grandparents are Thomas Rayner b. either 1834/36 or 37 in Norfolk (I’m going to call him no.2) – married Frances Fulcher b. abt 1836 Terrington St.Clement, Norfolk. I have a certificate for their marriage which was 10/08/1855. Thomas’ father is another Thomas (no 1), both labourers. In 1861 census I found the couple with their family plus wife’s father at Terrington where they married. Thomas’ place of birth is ‘unknown’. In 1871 census they are still with family but have moved to next village Terrington St.John. Thomas’ p.o.b is now Norwich. In 1881 census, still with family but now a bit further down the road at an Inn called Shetland Pony, Clenchwarton, Norfolk. Thomas’ p.o.b now is Terrington, Norfolk. After that the couple seem to have disappeared. The children are still traceable including my grandfather, yes, another Thomas (1868 Norfolk) (no. 3) but this time with a middle name of Francis. I’ve just spent hours searching the Complete BMD Index from 1881 through to 1902 for gt.grandfather’s death. No result. Over many past months I have looked at parish records for his birth but I’m obviously looking at the wrong villages. Do you think finding his birth is my only hope of confirming the Thomas (no.1)’s family? The obvious thought is that Thomas’ (no2) birth cert. would give me his mother’s name and place of birth. Is there any other obvious way through the maze? Sorry it’s so complicated but hope you can understand what I mean. Jo

Hi Have you got their marriage certificate as this will give there fathers names & occupations, which will take you back another generation?

Jo Hope you don't mind but thought cutting and pasting your other thread would make more sense, and be easier to read. T.O.R. ;o)) p.s. will now read the post and see if I can help.

Have you found No. 2 on the 1841 and 1851 census ?

if you want to add a reply to your thread just click on add reply at top of page Jeanette

T.O.R. thanks for tidying up the thread. Thomas No. 2 is the one I have on census and Sandra, I have his marriage certificate with Frances Fulcher and it's then I found his father was another Thomas (no.1) Jo

Sorry T.O.R. Misread your last message. I have a Thomas with a family who I favour as his parents and siblings in 1841 but no real proof except they are living next to a future sister-in-law of my gt.grandfather. 1851 nothing, except the same family as above. However Thomas is not with this family either. Jo

I should warn anyone offering to help that there is another family with a Thomas of similar age living in Brinton, Norfolk. Strangely enough, he too eventually marries a Frances to complicate matters more. They will be in Cley, Norfolk later on. My family are in Terrington or Clenchwarton, Norfolk as known so far. Jo.