Research Forum

Clark(e) or Snell - James and Hannah
published by on Thu, 05/10/2017 - 12:28

Hi
Does anyone know information about
James Snell or Clark(e) and Hannah Clarke. We are not sure whether they were married or whether James was James Snell or Clarke - they seem to use the name interchangeably at times.

I believe they had 4 children

James baptised Kenn 20 7 1823
John baptised Banwell 15 4 1827
Mary Ann bapt banwell 22 11 1829
Caroline bapt banwell 8 5 1831

I am descended from John.

If I have the right family, their father James Snell or Clarke died falling from a cart in Congressbury in 1831. the family fell on hard times and the two boys took to stealing with stints in jail. John was transported to Western Australia in 1851.

I would really like to know if I have the right records - and to find a marriage record, if it exists, for James Snell/Clarke and Hannah Clarke. I want to then build the correct families around them.

I want to confirm Hannah's correct name and birthdate or baptism date
I want to confirm James senior's correct name and birthdate/baptism date.

I think Hannah lived with Caroline and her husband Charles Hemens in Hannah's old age. The birth date for Hannah changes a bit also.

Any advice will be gratefully appreciated.
Leisa
Australia

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Tue, 10/10/2017 - 1:18

If you look at our transcriptions for Yatton you will see a possible marriage for a James CLARKE and Hannah CORFIELD both from Kenn. Our transcriptions of Kenn christenings also have more children than the ones which you have and includes the James which you mention. However it also has children listed at the same time as the Banwell ones which you have - which probably means that the Kenn baptism isn't the same James as the one on the 1841 census.

The Banwell baptisms for the other three children all mention the name SNELL and in Caroline's case the term alias SNELL is used - as does the burial of James.

It is likely that James could have been illegitimate and either CLARK or SNELL could have been his father's name. Or perhaps one of the names might have been a step-father's name. James is said to have been 33 when he was buried so that gives you some idea of his age to look for a baptism under either name.

Submitted by on Tue, 10/10/2017 - 4:35

Thank you Pat. A group of us are researching these people and your fresh eyes saw something we didn't see. This could be the piece of information we need to help solve our mystery.

Thank you. I have a lot of researching ahead.