Is there a project that covers these pre-1700 people?

Question

I want to contribute to the deep genealogy on our shared tree. Here are people I can add, along with dates and locations:

• Thomas Page born prior to 1693 in Kettering, England, married Mary Smith December 1711 in Kettering, England, Mary however died 1711, 
• Thomas then married Elizabeth Smith in 1712 in Warkton, Northants, Elizabeth was born before 1693
• Thomas was an Innkeeper at The George  in 1714

Here are the sources I am using:

• My aunty Ann passed this information, as she had a lady by the name of Julie Hill from the UK complete the research, using books and other sources in 2016
• Obviously my source isn't strong as I don't have the direct information - I just wonder how to record such information as there may be other descendants who can help contribute as they went on to have 4 living children and there are many many descendants from them both (Thomas & Elizabeth)

Should I contact one of the pre-1700 projects or know about any style guidelines before proceeding? Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi, as you say, your sources aren't strong , they could be if the genealogist had supplied references. Nevertheless, they are a very good guide to your own research. It's much more fun that way, anyway. 

 There is a general  guide to reliable sources here https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:England_Project_Reliable_Sources

The England Project does have a scheme in place which helps people learn how to find and record English records.  

The parish registers for Kettering from 1710  and for Warkton  from  1550 are available to view on ancestry (possibly on FMP also but of course they both  charge)  There is an index/transcription of  both of them  on Free Reg.

They record  a marriage in 1711 of Thomas and Mary in Kettering and one in 1712 in Warkton  of a Thomas Page to Elizabeth Smith but on the second marriage,  the  transcriber says that the bride, is described 'of Kettering'  

Edit:  I've just checked the original and the Bishop's transcript. (on Ancestry)

The Bishop's transcript is vague, it says  Thomas Page and Eliz Smyth of Kettering were married.

The original says 'Thomas Page and Elizabeth Page,both of the parish of Kettering   

But there is still a possible problem  (I checked in the original as well as on Freereg this time !

There are 3 baptisms of children of a Thomas Page, in Kettering  in 1813, One is of Thomas son of Thomas and Elizabeth in April but  the other two are children of Thomas and Mary baptised  in November. 

Link to the search page on Free reg  https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_queries/new?locale=en

I'm not sure how you would confirm that this Thomas Page was the innkeeper at the George. A search of the Northamptonshire Archives (they have an online catalogue) might help. There may be a directory but this is quite an early date) I did find that the innkeeper in 1733 was a man called Thomas Dawson https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/northants/vol3/pp218-226  

Comments

First of all, Helen, thank you for responding to my question and quiet clearly taking such a keen interest!  

I am so grateful that Wikitree have measures in place to make us question what information we are entering, as clearly, the information that I have been handed to upload is somewhat incorrect and needs further research completed.   I had been trying to find further information to be able to provide sources but they all have VERY common names.

I have not come across "freereg" website as yet (still learning as I go) & I am not a paid member of ancestry (which I just need to do!!).
From my understanding, I think the genealogist had used a census or a marriage certificate from a daughter to record Thomas as the Innkeeper - however I haven't been provided these direct sources.

What I can understand from what you have found, Thomas Page did marry Mary Smith (1711) but there was another Thomas Page who married Elizabeth Smith (1712) and they both had children - which would debunk the information that Mary must have died and then Thomas married her sister and went on to have 6 children (3 of whom were named Thomas!!!).   

Why oh why must they all have the same names and common surnames???  Makes research very confusing and hard!  As now I need to find which mother had the child William Page (direct line) and weed out the other children who weren't related from my notes.

Called my Aunty this morning and left her a message to call me, as we have MUCH to discuss!    I may try and see what sources can be found from the lady who done the research and see if we can clean up this mess!

Thank you so much again Helen!  You have helped in so many ways, thank you!

---

Hi Anna,

We'd love to have you join us in the England Project, if you are interested. We're a friendly and supportive bunch and we have a team you start out in called the Orphan Trail which is a bit like a genealogical treasure hunt. I've just finished it myself and had a blast whilst learning loads.

Our sign-up post is here.

Susie :-)

---

Thanks Susie, I have requested to join the group!  Thank you  for your time and help.