Genealogy Chat

i'VE FOUND HIM!!!!

Sorry about the shouting but I am thrilled to bits! For ages now I have been trying to find the death of my gt gt gt grandfather Robert Chowns. He was born 1779, so I know he must be dead. Last sighted on 1851 census, aged 71 in Stoke Poges Hospital as an almsman. Wife already dead. Named as father on his youngest daughter's marriage cert in 1858, didn't say deceased, but I thought that he must be. Couldn't find him on the census in Bucks or in Surrey (where the wedding took place). Went through almost illegible handwritten death index books at the FRC, lots of kind people did various look ups for me. Not on the Bucks NBI (which conveniently stops in 1851). Found a cert for the right name and sent off for it only to find it was a 7 week old illegitimate baby - not a disaster as this is probably one of my family. Finally, after eliminating 1851-1861, I began wondering if he had been mistranscribed, or hidden in the really illegible indexes. Went on Freebmd and just searched for him by name and I found him, he died in the right registration district for Stoke Poges, which is Eton, in 1872 aged 93!!!!! Woohoo! I am off to order the cert and see why I can't find the old devil in 1861 and 1871! nell

Well done, Nell! Hope this is the start of lots more info. about him! Helen

Great news Nell! When I read the title of this thread I thought you were having one of those Organics moments! I'd be happy with just the one! lol Jeanette x

That's Brilliant news Nell Well done!!!!! Sue:-)

It gets better - I've just found him on the 1871 census as an inmate of the Hospital. He spent 22 years of his life there! thrilled! So I guess he will be there in 1861 which should make it easy to find him. Yee ha! nell

Lyla Thanks for looking that up for me - we both found him. I am now kicking myself that I didn't look there first. I just thought that he must have died in the hospital, or alternatively have been working near his daughter. What a twit! Mind you she threw me off the scent as he was an ag lab and she describes him on her marriage cert as a 'gardener'! nell

Lyla You're in good company! Actually I have lots of info about Robert's early married life as he had to give evidence at a settlement dispute. I have lots of info about his parents and siblings, but his daughters are a problem. The youngest was my gt gt grandmother, but I only know of one marriage of her elder sisters - of course they all married pre-1837 I guess. nell

Nell That's brilliant, wish mine would turn up the same way! Lou

That's good news Nell. Just goes to show that it's worth going back to free BMD, to check if it's been updated, when you hit a brick wall. Carol:)

Partly my own fault for assuming he died before 1861! Never assume anything! nell still chuffed!

Result Nell, really pleased for you. Shout as much as you like, you deserve to, after all you persevered long enough. LOL Jan

I'll have what she just had. Gwynne

OK Jan YEEEEEEEPEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I am all impatient to get his death cert. I can't find out what happened to several of his children, but I do know that 2 of his grandchildren and most of his great grandchildren lived into their 90s. I think they must get their longevity from him. Which bit of Kent are you made in? My mum was born in Hythe and brought up in Lyminge Green, Stowting, Stelling Minnis, Sellinge and Wye. My grannie spent her retirement in East Brabourne and then in Smeeth. nell

Well done, I had a problem with the marriage of my Grt Grt grandparents, looked for months and months, spent lots of money on 1837, the kind people on this site looked as well. Found them eventually married a few years earlier than expected-what excitement when the marriage certificate arrived. Also waiting for the marriage certificate of another Grt Grt grandparents who eventually married 15yrs after their first child was born, and a couple of months before he died. Everyday I look out for the postman hoping it will arrive earlier than expected. My husband thinks I'm mad to get so excited over a lot of dead people( his words) Maxine