Hi,
I know some clever person out there will be able to help me...!

I have had great success with my ancestry on the amazing FOD site, however I am stuck on one family member and would appreciate any help :o)

I am trying to track further back from my 4xGreat Grandfather
George JOHNSON b. abt 1804/8, West Dean, Gloucs.

He lived & was married in Newland in 1837 (FOD record 36547, entry 925)
He married an Ann Powell also of Newland parish and I have successfully been able to trace her family back.

However, I am unable to find any record of a baptism for George Johnson in this area, despite all census records having him born in West Dean and remaining living there throughout his life.

Help???!!!

Thanks
Bev :o))

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?mode=entry&id=9223

... the records are probably not yet transcribed

Yes that's probably right - just wondered whether anyone else might have traced George/this family line with the records.

I'm particularly keen to get further back with George Johnson, as my mothers surname was Johnson so this surname in our family tree feels closer than others :o((

Thanks anyway...

This may not be as silly as it appears.
IGI George JOHNSON so Geo/Ann b. 10 Nov 1802 St P&J Bristol
also the better one
IGI George JOHNSON so Wm/Sarah chr 15 Jan 1806 St Jas Mangotsfield Bristol.
It's worth checking out or considering as the River Wye was a highway to Bristol and lots of my family lived in MON and were married in Bristol.

I have some JOHNSONS but sorry no George.

Thanks Wyerunner!
You're right that this could be a possibility - I guess until I get to the area & check out the parish records I won't know whether to search slightly further afield.
However it is possible as George's grandson then married a lady from Wickwar, nr Thornbury, Bristol so there may well have been family or trade/work links.

Thanks for your suggestions.
Bev

For elimination purposes this 1851 Census entry (GFHS transcription):
Piece Folio SchNo Town Surname Forename Relatn Marr Age Occupation County Place
1944 0309 022 Soundwell JOHNSON George HD M 47 Coal Miner GLS Mangotsfield
1944 0309 022 Soundwell JOHNSON Hannah WI M 45 - GLS Mangotsfield
1944 0309 022 Soundwell JOHNSON George SO U 21 Coal Miner GLS Mangotsfield
1944 0309 022 Soundwell JOHNSON Emma DA - 14 Cotton Factory GLS Mangotsfield
1944 0309 022 Soundwell JOHNSON Elizabeth DA - 12 Scholar GLS Mangotsfield
1944 0309 022 Soundwell JOHNSON Mark SO - 9 Scholar GLS Bitton *
1944 0309 022 Soundwell JOHNSON Isaac SO - 6 Scholar GLS Bitton
1944 0309 022 Soundwell JOHNSON Henry SO - 4 - GLS Bitton
1944 0309 022 Soundwell JOHNSON John SO - 10M - GLS Bitton
1944 0309 022 Soundwell PACKER Rachel LG U 16 Cotton Factory (Works At) GLS Bitton

Mike

hhmmmmm...
Thanks for this info Mike.

This makes the Bristol link seem less likely now(I think...??!)
As My George Johnson was a woodcutter in FOD and remained there throughout his life & in the census'
Which is why it is so bizarre I can't find his baptism record - but as said earlier maybe it's just not transcribed yet.

Hi Bev
It was only a thought and I see that someone has kindly found that one and it now looks unlikely.
BTW, is that your George and Ann living Slade, Parkend wth chn
1838 Abraham
1840 Jemima
1842 John
1844 Mary Ann
1846 Alice Rosa
1848 Rhoda?
Bye

Hi Wyerunner,

I am thankful for any thoughts thatcome my way on this one :o))

Yes the details you have given are for my George Johnson.
His wife was Ann Powell and her family are easy to trace within the same area - which is why I am even more 'miffed' on George!

Bev

Bev
Maybe they didn't bother to christen him, I have quite a few like that which is extremely annoying when they are the furthest back as you can't seem to progress. You might be able to hazard a guess if you round up ALL the Johnsons in the area of a similar age, ie about two years apart(use the ages at deaths as well as births and check the marriages for father's name), look for their parents and see if they have the same ones. Might have all been one family. George may fit a space but you couldn't prove it, just might give you something to work on. You could also try ones with George as a second name if you can find any.
However, I will keep my eyes open for him when in pursuit of mine.
Bye

As has been suggested it is often worth looking at nearby families. In 1851 we have this family living near to George:
Piece Folio SchNo Town Surname Forename Relatn Marr Age Occupation County Place
2444 0163 050 Russells Lodge JOHNSON Benjamin HD M 69 Woodman GLS Awre
2444 0163 050 Russells Lodge JOHNSON Elizabeth WI M 63 Woodman's Wife GLS West Dean
2444 0163 050 Russells Lodge JOHNSON John SO W 26 Stonemason GLS West Dean
2444 0163 050 Russells Lodge HAWKINS Ann GD U 15 - GLS Coleford

Elizabeth is Benjamin's second wife. This is his first marriage to Sarah BEDDIS:
Year 1804
Month Aug
Day 29
Groom Surname JOHNSON
Groom Forenames Benjamin
Groom Age at Marriage
Groom condition Bachelor
Groom Rank or Profession
Groom Residence St Briavels Hundred
Groom Father's Surname
Groom Father's Forenames
Groom Father's Rank or Profession
Bride Surname BEDDIS
Bride Forenames Sarah
Bride Age at Marriage
Bride Condition spinster
Bride Rank or Profession
Bride Residence St Briavels Hundred
Bride Father's Surname
Bride Father's Forenames
Bride Father's Rank or Profession
Licence or Banns Banns
Date of banns
Signature or Mark He signs she marks
Witness 1 Mark of Richard George
Witness 2 Thomas Bond
Other witnesses
Officiating Minister T Matt Proctor vicar
Event type Marriage
Memoranda
Transcriber's Notes
Register Reference P227 IN 1/10
Page No 73
Parish_Chapel Newland

In 1822 we have this marriage at which George JOHNSON was a witness:

Year 1822
Month Feb
Day 2
Groom Surname BEDDIS
Groom Forenames William
Groom Age at Marriage [not stated]
Groom condition Bachelor
Groom Rank or Profession [not stated]
Groom Residence Awre
Groom Father's Surname [not stated]
Groom Father's Forenames [not stated]
Groom Father's Rank or Profession [not stated]
Bride Surname WICHENDEN
Bride Forenames Susanna
Bride Age at Marriage [not stated]
Bride Condition Spinster
Bride Rank or Profession [not stated]
Bride Residence Forest of Dean
Bride Father's Surname [not stated]
Bride Father's Forenames [not stated]
Bride Father's Rank or Profession [not stated]
Licence or Banns Banns
Date of banns
Signature or Mark Both Mark
Witness 1 Mark of George Johnson
Witness 2 Charles Fennell Clark
Other witnesses
Officiating Minister Charles Sandiford Vicar
Event type Marriage
Memoranda
Transcriber's Notes
Register Reference P30 IN 1/5
Page No 30
Parish_Chapel Awre

This would indicate a link and I would suggest you obtain a copy of Benjamin JOHNSON's Will from Gloucester Record Office. Here is entry from the online database:
1856 johnson benjamin U west dean/russells lodge 1856/ 2 woodward Wills 1801 - 1858

Mike

Thanks Wyerunner - I'll follow up your suggestions.
You've been really helpful :o))

Sometimes it just needs one small breakthrough - here's hoping.

Bev

Hi Mike,

The info you have given in amazing - thanks for taking the time & effort to help.

It would indeed seem that Benjamin Johnson is some kind of relative, the will lead could be very useful, I'll follow it up.
Do you know if I could get details of the will electronically, request via email?

Thanks again
Bev

Hi Bev,

Go to the Gloucestershire Archives webpage at:
http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1348

You will find guidance here including email address etc.

Good luck
Mike