William Seaman born in Norwich

[kiterunner]

My 3xg-grandfather William Seaman, whose army papers I found on Findmypast this morning, joined the army at London 31st Mar 1834 giving his age as 20. He gave his age as 34 on his second marriage 19th Nov 1847, and his father's name as William Seaman. He died 22 Jul 1901 and his age is given as 83 on his burial record. So he was born about 1813 - 1818, and I would think it's more likely his age on the burial is wrong than the age when he joined the army, which would mean probably born nearer to 1813 than 1818. His army papers say he was born in the parish of St Giles, Norwich, Norfolk, so why can't I find a likely baptism for him? Help, please!

I should add he was in India nearly all the time he was in the army, and after he was discharged, so there are no censuses or GRO certificates to help. But I did think once I had a birthplace for him I might get somewhere! I might have known it wouldn't be so simple!

[Margaret in Burton]

Presumably you have looked at FreeReg? A lot of Norfolk has been covered.

I KNOW you will have looked at Family Search Record search. :)

[Merry]

Well, I would like him to be a son of Wm and Abigail Seaman, mainly because Abigail is on the census (in St Giles), so that makes it easier! lol They married in 1800 and had a son George bap at St Paul's Norwich in 1805. Unless Wm senr died one would expect more children .....it's just finding them! lol

Unfortunately there's no occ for Wm on George's bap or on the marriage for Wm and Abigail. :( Was there one on the marriage cert?

[kiterunner]

Yes, thanks Marg, I've looked on FreeREG, FamilySearch, FamilySearch Record Search, Norfolk Transcription Archive and Norfolk Baptism Project so far.

I haven't managed to see the actual marriage cert, Merry, only what's on FamilySearch Record Search. But my William's first daughter was named Abigail and his second son (after a William) was called George, so that all sounds very good, thanks.

[Phoenix]

Don't they say there were parishes for every week in the year in Norwich? Not to mention lots of non-conformity?

Have you looked for Seaman wills/poor law in case there's anything extra?

There are lots of indexes around, but I don't think many are online.

[kiterunner]

I had a look on NOAH at all the Seaman wills listed on there and found nothing, but will have another try now I have the names Abigail and George to look for as well as William. There is an Abigail Seaman death registered in 1859 in Norwich.

[Nell]

He may have been mistaken about his place of birth and/or been baptised elsewhere, or he may have been privately baptised and the entry wasn't recorded in the register - or not baptised at all. You seem to have looked at all the obvious online sites I was going to suggest!

Alternatively, his name may have been misrecorded/transcribed.

[kiterunner]

Thanks, Nell. I've ordered Abigail Seaman's death cert to see if there is any clue there. One of William's sons joined the army in Norwich in the 1860's and William was discharged from the army in England in the 1860's, although he went back to India afterwards, so it's possible another of his children might turn out to be the informant on Abigail's death cert. You never know!

[kiterunner]

Abigail Seaman's death cert has arrived and it's not much help - Abigail Seaman, a widow, 84 years, died 24 Oct 1859 Workhouse, Norwich, informant Martha Mortimer present at the death, Workhouse.

[billeastoe]

From the PRs of Norwich St Giles
14 March 1813 William Jonathan son of William & Abigail SIMMONS father a labourer
Easy to find, last entry on the very first page of the register

Hope that helps

[Merry]

Unfortunately the IGI has that child as being buried 01 JUN 1817 and another Wm Simmons baptised 05 JUL 1818 at four days of age.

Obviously would need checking though!

[kiterunner]

Thanks, I had already seen those, but I don't think it's him because of the first one being William Jonathan and dying in childhood, and the second one being too young to convince the army recruitment people that he was 20 in 1834.

[Barry]

Dear Kiterunner
I came across your profile and thought I would let you know that I am William Seamans Great Great Grandson, ((my name is Thomas Barry Moss)
William Seaman married Priscilla Walton 1847
they had 10 children
I am a descendant of their 4td Child William Oliver Seaman born 3 August 1856 Madras. He Married Lavana Wilhelmina Beatrice Bornshin (1858-1928) with whom I think he had 1 child William Claudius Seaman.
As the story goes he met Laura Gertrude ? (I do not know her surname ) through whom he had 3 children Violet Ada Seaman who married Oscar Walls Lakin. They had 4 children of which my mum was the youngest name removed. She married my Father name removed
I thought it interesting to touch base and maybe share some details
I trust this is ok.
I do have a bit more information that I can share and maybe even a photo or 2

[Katarzyna]

There is a baptism for a William Seaman on Free Reg now if you haven't looked for a while.
Norwich, St Martin at Palace
Parish Register
Birth date 13 Jul 1816
Baptism date 14 Jul 1816
Mother- Ann Seaman
He would have been 18 when called up in 1834.
St Giles and St Martins are about 1km apart though.

He was probably living in St Giles when he was called up and did not know exactly where he was born.

[kiterunner]

Lovely to hear from you, Barry, and welcome to the forum. You and I are half third cousins once removed. Sorry, but I will need to remove your parents' names from your post until you can confirm that either you have their consent to post their details or that they are deceased, as per our site rules.

Also I will send you my email address in a PM so we can share info more privately.

[kiterunner]

There is a baptism for a William Seaman on Free Reg now if you haven't looked for a while.
Norwich, St Martin at Palace
Parish Register
Birth date 13 Jul 1816
Baptism date 14 Jul 1816
Mother- Ann Seaman
Still a bit young for joining up but could have lied?
St Giles and St Martins are about 1km apart though.

Thanks for looking, Kat, but this is a very old thread and I already have his baptism - 5 Jul 1818 St Giles, son of William and Abigail. He helpfully named his eldest daughter Abigail after his mother.