Genealogy Chat

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I have a gt gt grandmother called Ann CHOWNS, baptised 1826 in Farnham Royal, Bucks. no idea where she is 1841 or 1851. Married in 1858 in Kennington, Surrey. I have now found a birth cert and death cert for an illegitimate baby boy, John William Chowns, mother Ann. She registered his birth 15 May 1850, giving his birthplace as Farnham Royal and her address as Salt Hill, Farnham. His death cert (dated 1 July 1850) informant is HANNAH CRANE, present at the death, address Salt Hill, Farnham, place of death given as Farnham Royal. Now I think this may be my Ann and her child, but can't as yet prove it. Susie very kindly looked for both Ann and Hannah on the 1841 and 1851 Bucks census and can't find either of them. I am now a bit stuck! Was Ann in service with Hannah? Was she working elsewhere and returned to Farnham to have her baby? I know Hannah is not her sister as I have all their names. I realise I will probably have to get to Bucks Records Office to do some serious sleuthing, but does anyone have any bright ideas? nell

Hi Little Nell, Have you looked for HANNAH on 1861 to see (if alive) her status??she of course may be married by then or an older person when informant>migh be worth try?? Kay,

Barbara/Kay Thanks for your input. I hadn't thought about an aunt. Of course its possible she was just a neighbour but having been in the area in 1850 I had hoped she would still be there 1851. I can see that Ann, having lost her child, would have been glad to get away - and also needed to work. She married John Smoothy and they settled in Richmond - had 3 daughters (none called Hannah!) and a son - my gt grandfather. Will have to have a look at the 1861 asap. Thanks again. nell

Whilst I am aware that Hannah can be Ann and vice versa, my Ann was Ann on all the other records I have - plus Hannah's surname is definitely Crane on the informant's column whilst mother's name is clearly Ann Chowns. nell

Lyla Sorryl I've only just picked up your message. Well now I am feeling a bit sad, as this might be the Ann who had the illegitimate baby, and that's even sadder because illegitimate babies are nothing to boast about, and the baby died anyway. I know this Medmenham Ann is not my Ann, because my Ann was definitely born Farnham Royal and she was older than Medmenham Ann. However, I am glad you pointed her out - I think I came across her a long time ago and dismissed her as being from High Wycombe, but she must be related somehow. I have some credits on FHO myself, so will look at the rest of the household myself, but THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR KIND OFFER. Good luck with your research nell