Find Ancestors

Vivian, You can indeed access parish records through your LDS library, but I haven't a clue which parishes to advise you to order. My transcription is Bridlington Priory baptisms 1813 to 1837 - it is indexed and I have rechecked, but there is nothing like Bowman in it.Nothing useful shows up on IGI either. Thomas and Maria's marriage is on IGI, but before 1837 - so doubt the entry would give father's name. Sounds like you may have a long slog reading a lot of PR, working out in circle from Bridlington. Seems there are several Bowmans (connected, or unconnected) claiming to have been born at Bridlington, but not baptised there. Like Sylvia, I at first thought the census images said Lawyer, but after comparing the initial letter with others on the page, I still think it reads as Sawyer. (Not sure that lawyer was in common usage at that time - I have a couple of cases of solicitor and attourney at law, but neither were described as lawyers) Good luck in your searches. Jay

Again thank you all. Would I access parish records from the LDS site here in Christchurch, NZ to try and ascertain if these Bowmans are actually related and to try and find their parentage or is there somewhere in the UK I would be better trying??

Thomas Bowman, wife Maria, living in Hull is a lawyer on the 1841, 51 and 61 censuses, and a Timber Sawyer in 1871. Richard is a Carrier and Grocer in 1861 William is an agricultural labourer What an array of occupations IF they are brothers!

Vivian, It would be Myton St, Hull. Interesting that they married at Hull, about 30 miles away from Bridlington. If both at the same address, sounds a bit of arranging might have been done? 1841 census has 2 Bowman males living in Hull, both sawyers. Richard and wife Tamar and Thomas and wife Maria (nee Farthing). Thomas and Maria still in Hull in 1851, but Richard and Tamar are at Wold Newton, a village quite near to Bridlington, and Richard is an ag lab. Both Thomas and Richard give Bridlington as pob. Maria was born at Nafferton and Tamar at Thwing (both villages about 10 miles from Bridlington ) So, Thomas, Richard and your William could be brothers??? Only potential Jane Bowman I can find in 1841 is a female servant at Lissett, a village south of Bridlington. She is 14. Can't find her in 1851 to get pob, but she may have married by then. Regards, Janet

Thanks Janet, Yes Faith Coulson showing in the 1841 census did become William's wife. Marriage Cert dated Nov 30 1841 shows marriage solemnized at Hull in the Parish of Holy Trinity according to the rites of the Church of England. Residence at time of marriage looks like 'Nyton Steet or Myton Street for both of them. Their witnesses are Richard Bowman and x of Jane Bowman. Does this help?

1841 shows a Faith Coulson (18 yrs) living in St John's St Bridlington - is this William's wife? North Back Lane and St John's St Bridlington are very near each other. Where were they married? Jay

The 1841 census image for Rudston that was mentioned by Sylvia, shows William Bowman working for a farmer, presumably as a farm servant 'living in'. He could be your man - no place of birth is given in 1841 census, only whether or not born in county. Rudston is a small agricultural village about 5 miles from Bridlington, so it is feasible that it is the same chap. Nothing helpful on IGI though. Jay

Hi Vivian, If William was born before 1837, you will not be able to get a birth certificate, as civil registration did not start until 1837. You will need to try and find a copy of his baptism, which will give you the date of his bp and hopefully the names of both his parents. Sometimes there is other info, such as occupation of father, place of residence, but not always. The actual census image for 1851 has William and Faith living in North Back Lane, Bridlington. (The street is still there, but redeveloped) I don't know why the individual details say sub-district of Skipsea. Skipsea is a seaside village several miles to the south of Bridlington and is nearer to Hornsea than Bridlington. However, image shows they definitely live in Bridlington Town itself. As I reported in my earlier post, the only C of E church in Bridlington at that time was The Priory (St Mary's) and there were no Bowman bps there. Perhaps he was born as William something else, and then his mother married a Bowman and William took his name? Or was bp non-conformist? Or wasn't actually born in Brdlington itself? Sounds like you may have a bit of 'thinking around the problem' to do, in order to sort him out!! Not all recorded facts are accurate, unfortunately. Jay

Sorry if I am being a bit thick but I am reasonably new at this and not too sure what questions I need to ask. I have found William Bowman and his wife Faith on the 1851 census which reads: Civil Parish: Bridlington. Town: Bridlington. Sub Regn District Skipsea. Street Address: North Back Lane. It shows William Bowman b abt 1821 Bridlington, Yorkshire, occ Ag Labourer (29 years). I have seen his headstone in NZ which shows him age 64 when buried 16 Dec 1883. My problem is how do I go about ordering a birth cert or any parish records??? Thank you all for your help - much appreciated from 'just a blonde from NZ'

I have a copy of Bridlington Priory Baptisms 1813 to 1837. (The only C of E church in Bridlington at this time) Unfortunately, there are NO Bowman baptisms recorded at all. Rudston village is just outside Bridlington, so it is possible he told the census enumerator that he was born at/near Bridlington - a place the enumerator had heard of. Jay

Thanks Maureen!

Sylvia, A lot of info was done on an earlier thread which I can not find at the moment. Maureen

These four William Bowman's born between 1815 and 1825 in Yorkshire are on the 1841 Census. I chose a 5 year span because the 1841 ages can be up to 5 years out. But how do the place names fit with Bridlington and/or Hull?? View Record Name Estimated birth year Birthplace Civil parish County/Island View Image View Record William Bowman abt 1816 Yorkshire, England Humbleton Yorkshire View Record William Bowman abt 1821 Yorkshire, England Rudston Yorkshire View Record William Bowman abt 1821 Yorkshire, England St Maurice Yorkshire View Record William Bowman abt 1816 Yorkshire, England Topcliffe Yorkshire

6th June 1841 So the wedding took place after the census. Hull records are also at Beverley.

The Marriage Cert shows November 30 1841 in the Parish of Holy Trinity, Regn District Hull. I am not sure when the census was taken. Does this help?

Bridlington records are held at the Archives at Beverley. Maureen

Did he marry before 1841 census was taken? Mothers' names are never recorded on English marriage certs.............. Reg

Is anyone able to look at Parish records for the birth records of William Bowman born Bridlington abt 1819-20. On his marriage cert in 1841 in Hull it states William's father as being Thomas (deceased) no mother mentioned. However on Williams death certificate in 1883 it states his father as being Richard and mother Jane. These are the two names that appear as witnesses on his marriage certificate and I wonder it this was an uncle and his mother or maybe a brother and his brother's wife. As it is so hard to get birth records prior to 1837, I am hoping someone in the Bridlington area may be able to assist me. Otherwise I am unable to obtain any certificates as I don't know for sure just who I am looking for. Any help would be so much appreciated. Also, did William have any siblings? Many thanks