I am trying to unravel the story of Alfred Harris' parents. This Alfred is the one whose Journal is posted here.

In a thread ( http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=28528 )it lists this Alfred with a Vionolla & William Robbins in 1841. The same family, minus William, seems to appear together in 1851 with the last name Harris.

Has anyone researched Vionolla? In 1814 there appears to be a "Vanilla" born to William and Mary Harris. Is this the same Vionolla who appears in 1841 and later years with a variant spelling of her first name?

I belive the possibility exists that the correct spelling of her name is Vernella. This is a rather different name and it appears later in decendants (if I have the correct person).

My big questions are: Was there a marriage between Vionolla & William and when?
If or if not, were the children listed with them in 1841 his? I presume William died between 1841 and 1851 because he is no longer listed. In 1851 the last name has gone to Harris. Did Vionolla just take back her maiden name after his passing? Or as above, was there no marriage and she just reverted back to her last name of Harris and then the children took that name as well?

If I get some of these mysteries solved, I can proceed with proving a correct line down from Alfred to my husband.

Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

Cindy

Previous thread link....

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=28528

Yes, these are the previous threads I referred to. Can anyone offer any more information on my query? Thanks.

Cindy

Looking at the 1841 Census, with William ROBBINS age 33, Collier, at Parkend Walk

Is this his burial? as last child was Caleb in 1844?

FOD records, Burial at BREAM

7 March 1844

William ROBBINS - residence, Pillowell Tithing

age 35

Memoranda: Moses ROBINS, Parsonage, Parkend, Servant.

Memoranda:

The Memoranda is probably linked to this burial and is written at the back of the register in an appendix entitled 'Register for the Names of persons who have secured Buying Ground by paying usual Fee'

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Checked the Gloucestershire Baptism Index: and they had a 'quess at Vanilla's name being Camilla or Alicia!!

Again, had a look at the Gloucestershire Marriage Index - no marriage. ? Non-conformist

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GloucestershireBDM

Alfred ROBINS 1839, mother's maiden name HARRIS, Forest of Dean, Westbury on Severn, Newnham

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Not sure about this?

Baptism at Parkend - 21 July 1833

Alfred ROBINS, father's name: not stated

mother's Forename: Isabella - residence Bream Green

residence: Bream, Single Woman

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On the 1861 Census, in the same household is Mary STEEL age 8 (Niece) c 1863

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FOD records, Littledean Independent

Mary Tryphena STEEL
father's Forenames: Sampson
mother's Forenames: Eliza

residence: Ruffett Little Dean Glos

occupation: Miner

Event : Baptism

memoranda: Born April 7th 1853

Notes: the late Sampson

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1851 Census, Glos Little Dean
Lodge Hill

STEEL

Samson - 37 - born Hundred of St Briavels
Eliza - 35 - born Woolaston
Sarah - 9 - born Little Dean
Naomi - 6 (GloucestershireBDM - mother's maiden name HARRIS
Maria - 1

Yes, I believe that is the burial of the William Robbins in question.
Thanks for the info on the 1839 birth of Alfred with mother's maiden name Harris. I'll check that out.

I'm new to searching in this area. Where do I find non-conformist records? Am I assuming correctly that non-conformist relates to anyone who did not belong to the Church of England?

Transcript details of various records gives information, etc. Would I receive more information if I requested copies of the records in question from archives where the parish records are kept? Or do they even supply copies? Any insight helps.

Thanks to everyone.

Cindy T

There are non-conformist records on this website

also

Gloucestershire Records Office kept some as well -

http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/genealogy/search.aspx

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Littledean Independent baptisms: for Eliza* and Samson * nee HARRIS

two on the same day.... i.e. 24 February 1851

Edith Maria STEEL - born 26 December 1849 - residence: Ruffett Little Dean, Glos - Samson (Engineer) & Eliza

Orpape Naomi STEEL - born 22 August 1843 (best guess for first name)

The Family Search, Church of Latter Day Saints: Have a marriage at
Saint John, Lea Hereford

Samson STEEL and Sarah Eliza HARRIS - 8 June 1841.