My family are hitting the proverbial brick wall. We have established our family tree going back to app 1725. A lot of the family were from Congresbury where are plenty of records to help us. However we believe that a Richard Sainsbury married Mary Willis in Portbury/Gordano in app 1745. We cannot find his ancestors or any other details. Any information would be gratefully received!
Thanks Pat. I had most if that, save for the child William. Where can I find details of Richards parents given that someone has found details of his marriage?
As you already had the date of the marriage have you checked the original entry to see if there is any more information in the parish register? Although, as it took place in 1745 there will not be witnesses to the marriage (Witnesses were required from 1754)
Have you searched adjacent parishes for a baptism of Richard SAINTSBURY and Mary WILLIS - FreeREG is useful for this. Do you know Richard or Mary's death date? Did either of them leave a will? Have you tried the Overseers' and Churchwardens' Accounts to see if there is mention of the SAINTSBURY or WILLIS family?
Of course they could have come from another county - Looking at Familysearch there seem to be a number of SAINSBURY families in Wiltshire - including the christening of a Richard SAINSBURY in 1722 s/o a William & Ann - he might be worth investigating further.
In an earlier message you said you had established your family back as far as about 1725. On which document did you find that date and to whom did it refer and to what event - that might give a clue to members of the family before the marriage.