1815--
I was lucky enough to find a reference to my great-grandfather's christening and from that chance reference was able to track down his parents' wedding as well. A search of the 1851 census gave me his mother's birth-place, and I was thus able to discover her brother as well.
My WARD family tree begins therefore with the marriage of Jane DOWNING and David WARD.
David WARD was born around 1815, according to census records.
Jane DOWNING was born in Shimpling, Norfolk in 1815 and married David WARD in the little village of Fersfield, Norfolk on 10 November 1834.
Their son Henry WARD was christened on 17 March 1835 in Fersfield.
Other children were
John (born 1837 in Fersfield Nflk, Chr.19 Apr 1840)
Susanna (born 1839 in Fersfield Nflk, Chr 19 Apr 1840)
Elizabeth (born 1841 in Fersfield Nflk, Chr 13 Sept 1840)
Sarah Ann (born 1845 in South Lopham Nflk, Chr 6 July 1851 as "Mary Anne")
David (born 1847 in Fersfield Nflk, Chr 6 July 1851 as "Edward David")
David Sr was buried in Fersfield on 14 August 1846, age 31 and when the 1851 census was taken, Jane was listed as a widow, Agricultural Labourer Pauper. This indicates that she was receiving some help from the parish to support her and the children, only one of whom, John, was working (as an Ag/lab)
Interestingly enough, the children were not listed as scholars even though the law at this time was supposed to ensure that all children received a basic education at a school.
Henry had apparently already left home, though where he was at census time is unknown as yet. He sailed for Australia on the "Falcon" as a clerk, and sharing a cabin! later in 1851.
When next we sight Henry, he has established himself as a miner and has courted young Harriet WAKELING, from Nether Broughton in Leicestershire.
Henry WARD married Harriet WAKELING on 21 January 1867 in Staffordshire Reef, Victoria.
They had thirteen children, one of whom, Florence Hilda Amelia, became my grandmother. She died in 1918, a victim of the Spanish Influenza epidemic. Her daughter Peg recalled her as a lovely presence, always laughing and singing. I like to think that her love of music is her bequest to me and my family--well, it had to come from somewhere, didn't it?
Norfolk, Eng Dialect Page (Pauline's Pages)
Norfolk GENUKI Page
Norfolk Now Newspage
Pete's Norfolk & Suffolk Broads Website