Genealogy Chat

My Grandfather's family came from Croxton, Cambs. My Gt.Grandfather Saywell married a Sewell. There were several families (of each) in the area. Both names, though, have on occasions been transposed. I've been able, so far, to keep track of each of them. However, recently, I sent off for the Baptism, Marriage and Burial Indexes from the Cambs.FHS., - it doesn't 'tally' with some of the information I already have (Certificates, Census returns etc.) I'm confused and very despondent. M. Steer

Margaret I would imagine both those surnames were originally one surname. When you say things don't tally, what, exactly? Any document is capable of containing errors, no matter what source it comes from. OC

O.C. Yes both names did originate from the same. I've checked the Sole Society - Saywell, Sewell, Sewall etc., all derive from some Nordic/Scandinavian name way back in the eons of time. Just one example, I have the Birth Certificate of my Gt.Grandfather - James Saywell, Croxton, 1856 but the Baptism Index doesn't show him. What makes it all the more annoying is that so many of my 'forebears' were the Parish Clerks! M. Steer

Margaret, You didn't and don't have to be baptised in the place where you were born. I wasn't - I was born in the nearest maternity hospital to where my parents lived, but baptised in my mother's native parish, over 25 miles away. Jay

I also have to say that SOME information which I have received from FHS is inaccurate and contains errors, when compared with the ORIGINAL parish register. No one and nothing is an infallible source and it is the old thing of - check it yourself! And as Janet points out, you didnt have to be baptised where you were born - indeed, you didnt have to be baptised at all, and by the mid 1800s, many people either were not baptised, or chose a nonconformist church for their baptism. If you have certs and you can trace the family on the census, then I wouldnt worry too much about missing baptisms. OC

I have found that Parish Records can be very inconsistent with regards to names. I have somone baptised Wonnacott, married as Winnacott and gave her father's surname as Wilacott on the same marriage cert!! The variations are equally inconsistent on the censuses. It's a nightmare to work out. As for Baptisms: I was born in Kent and baptised in South Wales and I have ancestors born in Bridgwater and baptised in Devon! Good luck. Lin

Thanks ladies. My Saywell/Sewell relatives are a bit of a problem (aren't they all?) I thought, though, that I had them 'sorted' until I received the indeces from the FHS. The term 'spanner in the works' springs to mind. I still think I have 'my line' correct but as always shall continue 'to keep an open mind'. M. Steer

The index may not be complete. Have you checked that all the parishes are done? For example I bought the Somerset burial index for one of my names plus variants. It's been useful but I knew before I bought it that it was only a 70% county coverage. Sue

Susan, afraid the Index is not complete -'not all years have been transcribed for all registers'. M. Steer