Watkins

Letter D challenge

Miss W. Boyd, Colgrave, England, Hearn, Jackson, Smith, Swaine, Tedman, Watkins , ,

1558 Ainscough Origins

Boobelle via Compfight

Direct Line or Descendants

When you began your family history research, what did you start with? Did you begin with yourself and go back one generation at a time following your direct line only? Or did you also look at the descendants of those direct lines?

I know when I began I started just with names, dates and places and going back as far as I could – in fact I got back to 1604 with one line in Bedfordshire, England. I made connections with other researchers by using the Rootsweb emailing lists and also contacting others mentioned in the IGI (International Genealogical Index) and the IGRD (International Genealogical Research Directory). I exchanged information through RAOGK (Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness) where I would do some research in Tasmania for a person in another county of England and they would do research for me in their county.

But nowadays technology has really allowed me to do a lot more research with original records online. Less having to visit an actual archives, at least for the basics of BDM records. But it is fantastic to see so many Historical Societies having a presence online. This now allows me to connect with locals in the areas where my ancestors lived. My family history blog has also created connections with family members I knew nothing about.

By researching the descendants I have found out more about their life as a family and the community they lived in. Trove and other newspaper reports have put flesh on the bones of my family rather than just a list of names, dates and places.

Surnames in my direct line include:

  • WYATT – unknown where born
  • ENGLAND – Rotherham, York, ENG
  • SMITH – Recherche Bay, Tasmania AUS but originally Samoan and given surname Smith
  • DAVEY – Devon, ENG – free settler and down to 7 possible people
  • TEDMAN – London, ENG – waterman
  • CHANDLER – London, ENG – gardeners in Tasmania and at Government House in the 1860’s
  • COLGRAVE –  Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, ENG – back to 1604
  • SOMMERS – Portland, Tasmania, AUS
  • JACKSON – Donegal, Ireland
  • DIXON – London, ENG
  • BOYD – Maker, Cornwall, ENG
  • WATKINS – Hull, Yorkshire, ENG
  • HEARN – Edgeware, London, ENG
  • BRYANT – Rotherhithe, London, ENG
  • BULL – London, ENG
  • SWAIN – Maidstone, Kent, ENG

Readers: Please leave a comment about my post or something beginning with D that relates to your family history or your research.

letter D

Trials of Isabella

Miss W. Watkins

ASSI 94/2329

Isabella Watkins of the parish of St Mary Lambeth was charged on 15 March in 4th year of Queen Victoria of stealing 2 shawls valued one pound from Isaac Atkinson and Thomas Coates. Also at St Mary Newington in Surrey on Monday 7 December in 4th year of Queen Victoria was convicted of felony using the name Mary Johnson.

HO 27/65

According to the Home Office, she had no degree of instruction, was aged 18, was tried at Surrey County Assizes on 29 March 1841on larceny before convicted of felony and given 7 years transportation.

Isabella Watkins

Miss W. Watkins

Isabella is another convict who it is hard to go further back on than just her convict records.  She was supposedly born in Hull (Kingston-upon-Hull, Yorkshire) around 1819.  I have no record of her family members so this is where it becomes difficult.

She was a plain cook and housemaid only 4 foot 11 and a half inches in height and aged 22 when she was convicted.  She had a fresh complexion, oval head, brown eyes and eyebrows, small visage, low forehead, grey eyes, a medium nose and mouth and a low chin.  She had an E tattooed on her right arm.

She was tried at the Surrey Assizes on 29 March 1841 for stealing two shawls.  She had been convicted before and given 3 months for stealing a dress, 21 days for stockings and 2 months for stealing off Mademoiselle de Laine?.  Isabella stated she had lived her last two years by thieving.  Both her gaol report and surgeon’s report said she was bad. Whilst in England doing research I found out more information about Isabella and her previous convictions.

She was given a seven year sentence and left England on the Garland Grove on 10 October 1841.  Upon arrival in Van Diemens Land she was assigned to Mr Legge and on 10 February1842 she was given 7 days hard labour at the Launceston House of Correction or Female Factory.  This was for disobedience of orders and insolence.  A memo was sent to the Lieutenant Governor on 18 February 1842.   On 7 October 1842 she was married to Francis COLGRAVE at Evandale.  Three years later on 25 February 1845, she was given her Ticket of Leave and recommended for her conditional pardon on 5 May 1846.  This was approved on 21 September 1847.