In 2 weeks I'm visiting Westbury for the first time to look for the graves of 2 definite and 2 probable family members, John SYMS 1772-1855, Peregrine Purrock SYMS 1743-1796, Elizabeth SYMS 1750-1800 & John Brown SYMS 1808-1831. The family moved to Lancashire post 1855 which is where we've stayed!

I'll also be visiting 3 other churchyards in Hempsted, Haresfield & Frampton on Severn which also contain family members. I've been very lucky with my research due to my unusual name and, with some help from a local researcher, I've managed to connect most of the dots back to 1630ish.

My question is, has anyone else searched Westbury Churchyard and if so could you offer any guidance please? I have the relevant record details already, just no idea of the layout of the churchyard until I get there.

I'd be grateful for any assistance and would be happy to share my research if it is of asistance to anyone.

Regards Andy

Gloucestershire County Council - Genealogical database (Wills)

1855 SYMS - John - Westbury on Severn/Chaxhi - Ref: 1855/197 (Wills 1801-1858)

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1851 Census

Westbury on Severn - District 2b - Sub Reg. Newnham

'....... comprising Tythings of Chaxhill, Stantbury, Cleeve, Ridley, Bollow etc..

John SYMS, 80 - unmarried Landed Proprietor - all born Westbury
Charles SYMS - Son, married age 19
Sarah SYMS - daughter-in-law age 20
Elizabeth SYMS - Granddaughter age 2

and two Servants

Hannah TRIGG age 15, and Richard SAYSELL

1841 Census, WOS - Caxhill

John SYMS - age 65, Farmer - born in County
(no Charles SYMS - age approx 10 years, only Charles DAWS M/S age 11

+ 4 other Servants

Elizabeth JENNINGS, 15 - Richard DAVIS - 60 - Jonathan TRIGG - 18 - Joseph BELCHER 14

Charles DAWES, 19 June 1831, Westbury on Severn St Peter & St Paul - son of Maria

? Christening, Hartbury 9 June 1811, Maria Daw, parents Richard & Mary

FOD records

John BROWN SYMS - age 23 - Burial 7 April 1831, Westbury on Severn

Peregrine SYMS - age 52 - Burial 27 February 1796 - Westbury on Severn

1861 Census, Lancs. Toxteth Park
23 Thomas Street

SYNS

Charles - 29, Labourer Forge, born Gloucester
Sarah A - 24 - born Gloucester
Elizabeth - 11 - born Gloucester
James - 6 - born Gloucester

Henry - 10 months, born Liverpool Lancs

CLDS

Peregrine CURRDOCK SYMNS - married Elizabeth FRYER - 12 February 1777 WOS

FOD records

Children of Peregrine and Elizabeth SYMS

Elizabeth - 10 November 1780 and Phebe - 9 December 1788 - Westbury on Severn

1861 Census, Lancashire, Whiston
Holt Hill Lodge

Edward EDWARDS - 36, Coachman - born Glos. Rodborough
Elizabeth EDWARDS - 35, born Glos Chaxhill
John SYMS - Nephew, age 10 born ditto **

FOD records

John DAW - christened 1 June 1851 - Westbury

Father Forename: Charles Sims (labourer)
Mother's Forename: Sarah Ann

James DAW - christened 1 April 1855 Westbury, Parents Charles Sims and Sarah Ann

Frederick DAW - christened 1 November 1857, Westbury, Parents, Charles & Sarah Ann

1851 Census Glos. St John the BAPTIST

Edward EDWARDS - 25. Glos. Rodborough
Elizabeth EDWARDS - 26 - born Westbury
John - 2 born Gloucester
Eliza - 1 born Gloucester

Dear M P

Thanks for all the information, some of which I had and some I didn't. I'm particularly impressed with the speed at which you found it all!

The 1861 Census for John Syms is a missing piece that's annoyed me for a while. From the time of John(1772-1855) claiming Charles as his natural son the whole family skip between Syms, Daw & SymsDaw, as well as various spellings, for the rest of Charles' life making them difficult to keep track of. However I have most things from their arrival in Liverpool to present.

Thanks again for all your efforts. I look forward to visiting Westbury Churchyard so I can attempt to add some physicality, in the form of grave stones, to my research.

Regards Andy