I have found Ann WINGATE born Blandford Forum c. 1777. She married Thomas KERLY there in 1804. In 1808, she married John STEPHENS in Pimperne, Dorset. I should be interested in hearing from anyone else researching this line.

hmm - wierd - I have an Arthur Pugsley Chapman WINDEATT marrying an Elizabeth Susan COWARD in East Lulworth, Dorset in 1903. But although he was born in Christchurch, Dorset, his family hailed from Devon originally.

But now I am wondering if there was some connection with a remote family member . . .. Ann was a fairly frequent family name and Arthur's grandfather was baptised WINGETT and his great-grandfather's generation were WINGATES. I don't know too much about this branch and have often wondered why he ended up in Blandford Forum (he and his wife both died there). Perhaps there was an earlier family connection?

Although it does seem very remote . . .?

(see my origins page for a discussion of spelling variants -
http://www.windeatt.f2s.com/windeatt/origins.htm )

Very interesting- thanks Sandra. It would be tempting to think your family returned to Blandford Forum wouldn't it? As you know, my Ann [very common name] left Blandford early in the C19th. She was still living in Pimperne with her daughter and son-in-law during the latter part of that century. If you have any success in getting back further and find a connection to the Wingates of Blandford, please let me know. In the meantime, good luck with your research.

Yes, it does seem a bit of a long shot - but I'll keep a weather eye open for any connections . . .

Steve, I have found something which may interest you. I tried e-mailing but it bounced. Check out:

http://www.windeatt.f2s.com/windeatt/strays/john_wingatt.htm

Apologies, I see you are Sue and not Steve!