So, about William and Mary.

[Guinevere]

Earlier this week I was turning cartwheels at finally getting a clue about a long sought marriage.

The CD of Belton Parish Records (Suffolk Fam His Society) arrived today and behold!

William Seley married Mary Gowen May 6 1798, by banns.
Witnesses were Rhody Gowen and John Seeley.

Sadly, there are no Gowens baptised in the parish before this date. So I still do not know who Mary's parents were. From census, death cert and the banns book I know she was born abt 1770.

There is a glimmer of light. Two years earlier Samuel Gowing married Elizabeth Skinner. Samuel is described as "of Langley". Witnesses Roday Gowen and Noah Pole.

And a year before John Reynolds married Elizabeth Gowen. Witnesses Robert Skinner and Noah Pole.

I speculate that perhaps Mary, Samuel and Elizabeth were siblings.

Unfortunately the new LDS site with Norfolk PRs doesn't have the parish of Langley. Is it worth forking out £7.50 for the LDS film to see if there are baptisms there? Both Mary and Elizabeth were otp at marriage.

And had anyone encountered the name Roday/Rhody before? Male or female?

[kiterunner]

I'm guessing it's Rhoda, female.

[Guinevere]

I think you're right, Kite, never encountered one before.

[kiterunner]

There doesn't seem to be much Langley stuff online. FreeREG has baptisms from 1813 to 1880 which isn't much help to you. Yes, might be worth getting the film.

[Guinevere]

They only seem to have filmed the AD's transcripts so they'll have to do. On the plus side there are other "parishes of interest" on the same film.

[Kit]

If there are other useful parishes then go for it. Even if the original parish lets you down you have other ways to use the film.

[Joy Dean]

There is probate here for a Samuel Gowen
http://www.noah.norfolk.gov.uk/ShowImage_books.aspx?img=http://nsources.norfolk.gov.uk/probate/wills/GS_0166951/34574.jpg

[Guinevere]

Thanks, Joy. It certainly looks as though the Langley film could be useful.

[Phoenix]

NROCAT has lots of Gowing refs too for Langley, so it's deffo worth the £7.50!

[Nell]

Gwynne

I have some Langley parish events in my family - I will remember you if I get to look at Langley records again. I don't think the registers are very extensive. I'm assuming you mean the Langley which is in Loddon registration district? I also have a Rhoda on my Smoothy side!

*now worries I could be related to Gwynne and by extension to the Allenders*

[Guinevere]

I'm going to order the film, Nell. They only have the AD's transcripts but I may get lucky. I'm not even sure Mary was born there, even if Samuel is her brother, but I have to start somewhere. It is the Lodden one, btw.

*ignores snipe at Allenders*

*worries about possibility of being related to Nell*

[Kit]

Aren't the Allenders Gwynne's inlaws?

In which case Nell you wont be related.

[Guinevere]

Only by marriage, Kit!

I've been through Norcat and ordered the probate and admin of an earler Samuel at nearby Acle who could be father to samuel and Mary.

*crosses fingers for more clues*