Genealogy Chat

So after 3 weeks my Gt Grandmother's birth and marriage certificates have arrived. Her Father is showing as being from the US on the 1861 & 71 censi (William Honeybourne - Dover Kent) and I was hoping the certificates might narrow the search a bit but there's nothing on there about where he originated from AND Honeybourne is spelt differently on each of them, I'm more confused than ever.

I'm not sure where he married, whether it was here or in the USA. His wife was called Sarah Turmaine and their daughter was born in 1864, so he was quite old when she arrived.

Thanks Christine, I googled and found it was Family Search and I'd tried that already. Looks like it's a dead end.

Does his occupation give any clues?

There's a Kent BMD site - it's on the Local BMD list on www.ukbmd.org.uk Christine PS - the IGI is on www.familysearch.org - you don't have to worry about that name, because it's only words starting ''co'' which trigger the suppression (and that includes, e.g., Colorado, Cornwall, Cooperative, ... as well as the usual endings!)

The name Turmaine appears concentrated in Kent. Do you have anything on Sarah? Freebmd has gaps in its coverage. If you haven't done so already, it might be worth looking for a marriage on Ancestry, viewing the actual images. There is a Sarah showing on the IGI as baptised in Margate, who may be the same one living in Canterbury in 1841. The name appears to be Hugenot, so you may find out quite a bit more about the family.

His occupation, depending upon where you look is confectioner, pastry cook or baker ( I read that as Banker at first and got quite excited LOL). I have no info on Sarah at all, didn't know who she was until the certificates arrived, so I did learn something from them.

are they married by the time of the 1861 census? It may be possible tro trace Sarah back on the 1841/1851/1861 to narrow down a time of marriage

yes they are married by the 1861, call me thick but how would you trace back for her?

Just keep tracking her back through the census, either in her married name or maiden name. There is always the possibility that she was married before meeting William, -in which case you may have to look for her way back, before coming forward. Have you looked for a possible marriage of Sarah TURMAINE to anyone else, probably in the Kent area.?

Yes I have, no joy though. I have this vision of them coming here after they were married. She must have been very much younger than William as their daughter wasn't born until 1864 (I have the certificate) and he would have been 60.

You mean Sarah, b. Canterbury emigrated and then came back over here? Possible, - but more likely that William came over on his own and met her in Kent, I would think. 1861 Sarah Honeybourn abt 1822 Canterbury, Kent, England Wife Charlton Kent William Honeybourn abt 1802 N Head Charlton Kent William is a general dealer, birth place unknown ( N.K.)

My bet is that he had a wife already (possibly in the States).....he came here, met Sarah, but they didn't marry because of his situation. They then pretended to be married in order not to be estranged from the neighbours! Merry

Where is William in 1891? Sarah is still shown as married but is lodging in Dover area... with a William.

This might be Sarah in the 1841 census...... Sarah Turmaine abt 1827 Kent, England St Dunstan Kent Don't forget, her age may be rounded down. Unfortunately she is not with her family :o(( Merry

Ooh Merry that sounds really interesting !!! I have William as dying in 1891, I couldn't find him or her after 1871, better have another look!

1881 I think... W.Henry Cownne abt 1806 Hertfordshire, England Head Charlton Kent (Married) Sarah Honeybourne abt 1824 Canterbury, Kent, England Lodger Charlton Kent (Married) Marie Hearne abt 1821 Dover, Kent, England Lodger Charlton Kent (Widowed) I think Henry Cownne might actually be Honeybourne!! The image is very scrawly. His occupation is Baker (crossed out - same as 1871) Unemployed - and the address is the same as 1891. 1891! William Honeybmrne abt 1806 Wayworth, Dorset, England Head Charlton Kent Sarah Honeybmrne abt 1825 Canterbury, Kent, England Wife Charlton Kent Frederick Stroud abt 1887 Dover, Kent, England Grandson Charlton Kent Charlie Stubbington abt 1870 Dover, Kent, England Lodger Charlton Kent John Stubbington abt 1835 Nk, Hampshire, England Lodger Charlton Kent

Based on that, you can have a choice of 2 from the IGI... 1. WILLIAM HONEYBOURNE OR HONIBUN - International Genealogical Index / BI Gender: Male Christening: 04 JUL 1802 Axminster, Devon, England 2. WILLIAM HONEYBORNE - International Genealogical Index / BI Gender: Male Christening: 10 JUL 1803 St Mary, Hitchin, Hertford, England

Oooh Tracy, that causes a mystery. I'm sure that must be him because his daughter Eliza did marry a Stephen Stroud, so the Grandson would be a Stroud. But why would he give his birthplace as America on the later censi and Devon on that one? Methinks this man may have had a skeleton or two in the closet. Hope you're right, can't wait to find out more now.