The John Duddridge Mystery - Solved!
Like with anything, the more practise and experience you have, the better you get. As I have got older and my experience of genealogy has developed, I have learnt new skills and knowledge that I can use to break down old brick walls; just like this one - which I was so pleased with that I had to bring this website back for a one-off special article!
To begin, back in 2014, I was looking into the Duddridge family within my family tree. In my 'beginners mode' naivety I wanted a quick answer to who my John Duddridge's parents were, so I posted the thread 'The John Duddridge Mystery' on the family history forum RootsChat. The helpful people there came up with a theory as to who his parents were - but it was just that - a theory. However, before I go into the theory, let me tell you with what I knew about John Duddridge at the time.
John Duddridge was born around 1795 in the village of Stogumber in Somerset (England). On the 26th January 1826, he married Sarah Humphries at Stogumber, where according to the baptism records of the village had:
All of the children (bar Abram) are on the 1841 census with them in Kingswood (a small hamlet and part of the parish of Stogumber). However, there is another child with them: Charles (who, according to the census was 20 in 1841). As many family historians know, ages of adults are rounded on the 1841 census, so we could look for more evidence about him. What we know from the census is that he is older than James, so had to be born before John and Sarah were married. There are a few possibilities for this and these possibilities were thought through by a descendant of this Charles, the RootsChat member, Erato, who I got in touch with.
The family can also be found on the 1851 census. However, from finding these census records, there was a clear problem in working out John's parents: there were 3 possible John Duddridges born around the same time in the same area. On census records, John is easily traced as he is the only one that was a mason living in Stogumber.
On the 1861 census, John is only living with his grandson Walter Humphries. After some research, Walter was the illegitimate son of Charlotte Humphries, who in turn was the illegitimate daughter of Sarah Humphries - John's wife.
By 1871, there was only one of the three John Duddridges alive and he was listed a 'pauper' with his wife Salome Duddridge.
In terms of when John was baptised, there were 3 possibilities:
There was also a burial of a John Duddridge on the 28th March 1797 - aged 8 months. From deduction, this ruled out Daniel and Mary as our John's parents.
The theory from the RootsChat forum was that our John Duddridge was the son of James Duddridge and Mary (mis-written - it should have been Ann) due to this John having a sibling called Abraham and that James seemed to have lived in Kingswood when he died (where John was living).
I left it as that until last year, when I did a bit more digging and spotted a few holes in the research (this is why you should always go back over your old research). The holes are:
Therefore, I did some digging and found the marriage for John Duddridge and Salome Stacey in 1863 in Bristol. This was where Charles Duddridge (the mystery one from earlier) was living. In fact, he was a witness on their marriage certificate. John was listed as the son of James Duddridge (a labourer). Salome was described as a widow, with the father William Farthing. From some research, I found Salome in records from Samford Brett (which is near Stogumber).
I then looked into the earlier hole and I found a 1819 marriage in Stamford Brett of a John Duddridge and a Mary Farthing - Salome's sister. For all 3 marriages, John left his mark.
Excited, I then messaged Erato, who was doing some digging of her own. She found a newspaper article detailing Charles Duddridge's ancestry back to a John Duddridge who died in Stogumber in 1612. This is from research from a SED - Rev. Sidney Edwin Dodderidge. It states John's parents were James and Ann.
Then recently, whilst planning history for my year 5 and 6 class, I came across (by accident) Somerset's Tithe Maps freely accessible. I then found John Duddridge in Kingswood (where I expected him). When I had some time, I looked at those living nearby and found a few other Duddridges listed and labelled them onto the map.
This map was reproduced by the Somerset Heritage Centre. I have colour coded them and it should be noted that Joseph (incorrectly labelled as James) Duddridge rented more land (not on the map) than what is shown.
To begin, back in 2014, I was looking into the Duddridge family within my family tree. In my 'beginners mode' naivety I wanted a quick answer to who my John Duddridge's parents were, so I posted the thread 'The John Duddridge Mystery' on the family history forum RootsChat. The helpful people there came up with a theory as to who his parents were - but it was just that - a theory. However, before I go into the theory, let me tell you with what I knew about John Duddridge at the time.
John Duddridge was born around 1795 in the village of Stogumber in Somerset (England). On the 26th January 1826, he married Sarah Humphries at Stogumber, where according to the baptism records of the village had:
- James (baptised 30th July 1826)
- Joseph (baptised 20th July 1828)
- Mary (baptised 10th October 1830)
- John (baptised 30th December 1832)
- William (baptised 28th February 1836)
- Elizabeth (baptised 28th October 1838)
- Sarah Jane (baptised 25th December 1840)
- Abram (baptised 3rd August 1843)
All of the children (bar Abram) are on the 1841 census with them in Kingswood (a small hamlet and part of the parish of Stogumber). However, there is another child with them: Charles (who, according to the census was 20 in 1841). As many family historians know, ages of adults are rounded on the 1841 census, so we could look for more evidence about him. What we know from the census is that he is older than James, so had to be born before John and Sarah were married. There are a few possibilities for this and these possibilities were thought through by a descendant of this Charles, the RootsChat member, Erato, who I got in touch with.
The family can also be found on the 1851 census. However, from finding these census records, there was a clear problem in working out John's parents: there were 3 possible John Duddridges born around the same time in the same area. On census records, John is easily traced as he is the only one that was a mason living in Stogumber.
On the 1861 census, John is only living with his grandson Walter Humphries. After some research, Walter was the illegitimate son of Charlotte Humphries, who in turn was the illegitimate daughter of Sarah Humphries - John's wife.
By 1871, there was only one of the three John Duddridges alive and he was listed a 'pauper' with his wife Salome Duddridge.
In terms of when John was baptised, there were 3 possibilities:
- The son of James and Mary Duddridge baptised in Stogumber on the 22nd March 1795
- The son of Daniel and Mary Duddridge baptised in Stogumber on the 28th August 1796
- The son of Hugh and Sarah Duddridge baptised in Stogumber on the 15th January 1797
There was also a burial of a John Duddridge on the 28th March 1797 - aged 8 months. From deduction, this ruled out Daniel and Mary as our John's parents.
The theory from the RootsChat forum was that our John Duddridge was the son of James Duddridge and Mary (mis-written - it should have been Ann) due to this John having a sibling called Abraham and that James seemed to have lived in Kingswood when he died (where John was living).
I left it as that until last year, when I did a bit more digging and spotted a few holes in the research (this is why you should always go back over your old research). The holes are:
- On John's marriage to Sarah Humphries in 1826, John is listed as a 'widower'
- The John Duddridge alive on the 1871 census was living in Kingswood. This meant this John was more than likely our John Duddridge.
Therefore, I did some digging and found the marriage for John Duddridge and Salome Stacey in 1863 in Bristol. This was where Charles Duddridge (the mystery one from earlier) was living. In fact, he was a witness on their marriage certificate. John was listed as the son of James Duddridge (a labourer). Salome was described as a widow, with the father William Farthing. From some research, I found Salome in records from Samford Brett (which is near Stogumber).
I then looked into the earlier hole and I found a 1819 marriage in Stamford Brett of a John Duddridge and a Mary Farthing - Salome's sister. For all 3 marriages, John left his mark.
Excited, I then messaged Erato, who was doing some digging of her own. She found a newspaper article detailing Charles Duddridge's ancestry back to a John Duddridge who died in Stogumber in 1612. This is from research from a SED - Rev. Sidney Edwin Dodderidge. It states John's parents were James and Ann.
Then recently, whilst planning history for my year 5 and 6 class, I came across (by accident) Somerset's Tithe Maps freely accessible. I then found John Duddridge in Kingswood (where I expected him). When I had some time, I looked at those living nearby and found a few other Duddridges listed and labelled them onto the map.
This map was reproduced by the Somerset Heritage Centre. I have colour coded them and it should be noted that Joseph (incorrectly labelled as James) Duddridge rented more land (not on the map) than what is shown.
Unfortunately, I found that one of the 3 John Duddridges on the census records was also a neighbour of Joseph Duddridge.
I then pieced together, using census and other records a family tree for Robert and George (whilst being cautious of Joseph for the reason above). George married Ann Cavill and on the 1841 census he has 2 daughters. Where the vast majority (if not all) ancestry trees have gone wrong is to say that this George was the son of John Duddridge and Ann Gooding. This is because he wasn't. There are 2 George Duddridges born around 1810 on the 1841 census in Stogumber. One in Kingswood (on the map) and the other in a small group of houses called Hound hill. John and Ann from their records were living in Hound Hill. Further to that, the yellow spot on the map is Trowbridge Mills. In the Poll Books, from the 1830s, a Robert Duddridge was living there. The census records suggest he was unmarried - but that is not true - he was a widower.
This record at the Somerset Heritage Centre caught my interest (and is therefore one I would like to see next time I am there). It states, "Robert Duddridge of Kingswood, Stogumber and Mary his wife...". Their marriage in 1809 gives me Mary's maiden name of Pocock. Now, on a quick glance there is only one George Duddridge baptised in Stogumber in 1810 - the one erroneously attributed to the George of Kingswood. However, there is a second, well sort of. The records of the Baptist Chapel of Stogumber does include a George born in 1810 to Robert Duddridge and Mary Pocock.
Knowing this, I went back to the record and worked out it is files about the death of Stephen Duddridge in 1832. Stephen left a will which is available to view online. In the will, it states "John Duddridge of Kingswood mason son of James Duddridge..." - this all but confirms the theory. However, it does not say how he is related to Stephen whereas most of the other named people are listed as there relationship to Stephen. Weirdly, John is mentioned before many of his relatives are.
Can we discount the other Johns on the census? Well, one of them was definitely not baptised in Stogumber. However, I did find a newspaper article - a question from the Joseph Duddridge (above) stating that his father John (of Halsway - which matches the Tithe records) was born in Minehead. [COME BACK]
Now, the interesting part is who was James? There area few possibilities in the Stogumber parish records, but the Baptist link does require attention. Now, John's children were not Baptists, but that does not mean there is a link to John. Interestingly, the newspaper article mentioned earlier states that James was the son of Hugh Duddridge and Elizabeth. Is this true? It may take some work!
I then pieced together, using census and other records a family tree for Robert and George (whilst being cautious of Joseph for the reason above). George married Ann Cavill and on the 1841 census he has 2 daughters. Where the vast majority (if not all) ancestry trees have gone wrong is to say that this George was the son of John Duddridge and Ann Gooding. This is because he wasn't. There are 2 George Duddridges born around 1810 on the 1841 census in Stogumber. One in Kingswood (on the map) and the other in a small group of houses called Hound hill. John and Ann from their records were living in Hound Hill. Further to that, the yellow spot on the map is Trowbridge Mills. In the Poll Books, from the 1830s, a Robert Duddridge was living there. The census records suggest he was unmarried - but that is not true - he was a widower.
This record at the Somerset Heritage Centre caught my interest (and is therefore one I would like to see next time I am there). It states, "Robert Duddridge of Kingswood, Stogumber and Mary his wife...". Their marriage in 1809 gives me Mary's maiden name of Pocock. Now, on a quick glance there is only one George Duddridge baptised in Stogumber in 1810 - the one erroneously attributed to the George of Kingswood. However, there is a second, well sort of. The records of the Baptist Chapel of Stogumber does include a George born in 1810 to Robert Duddridge and Mary Pocock.
Knowing this, I went back to the record and worked out it is files about the death of Stephen Duddridge in 1832. Stephen left a will which is available to view online. In the will, it states "John Duddridge of Kingswood mason son of James Duddridge..." - this all but confirms the theory. However, it does not say how he is related to Stephen whereas most of the other named people are listed as there relationship to Stephen. Weirdly, John is mentioned before many of his relatives are.
Can we discount the other Johns on the census? Well, one of them was definitely not baptised in Stogumber. However, I did find a newspaper article - a question from the Joseph Duddridge (above) stating that his father John (of Halsway - which matches the Tithe records) was born in Minehead. [COME BACK]
Now, the interesting part is who was James? There area few possibilities in the Stogumber parish records, but the Baptist link does require attention. Now, John's children were not Baptists, but that does not mean there is a link to John. Interestingly, the newspaper article mentioned earlier states that James was the son of Hugh Duddridge and Elizabeth. Is this true? It may take some work!