Hi,
I am researching a William Downing b 1811 Liverpool married a Matilda Mathews. They had four children Louise,James,Henry and Edward, Matilda died in 1852 and William went to Australia in 1853 with his children. I have been told that he had to go to Australia. Can anyone tell me how I go about finding information to court cases that happened in that time. My email is lizbester@webmail.co.za

Thanks
Liz

Hello

on the 1851 census:

William Downing 44 Ale .. Porter Merchant born: Thurlestone, Devon
Matilda Downing 42 born: Devonport
Louise Downing 16 born: New York - British Subject
James Downing 8 born: Liverpool
George Downing 6 born: Liverpool
William Downing 3 born: Liverpool
in 69, Dulle Street, Liverpool

Any of this tie in?

There is a passport application:
Edward Downing - Passpot No. 492 issued April 7th 1853

There is also a convict:
William Downing
Age: 1812
Year: 1845
Trial Place: Portsmouth Boro Qs
State: Geelong E
Status: Single
Ship: Sir George Seymour
Occupation: Labourer/rug & mat maker
but would not tie in with Matilda so almost certainly not this chap

Hi Ellin,
The William Downing Porter Merchant is the correct person, he married Matilda. I did not realise that their daughter Louise was born in New York and that William was born in Thurlestone Devon.
I am quite new at this, can you tell me how I can find out abount William'scourt case. From what I was told he paid a fine and managed to go as a free person,to Australia, but had to leave the UK. Then how do I go back on the years as I want to find out more about William's parents?
Liz

me again

There is quite a bit about court cases :

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?s...

however, I am in Spain and unable to get to the NA for you to look (might be worth a shot to do a completely new message asking if someone can help you on this and, as you have a very narrow time frame 1852/53 - you never know!)

Saying all that, if he was only fined then it must have been a very minor charge however, the stigma in those days would have been great for a man of his standing (he had a few servants listed on the census) and this prob. was the cause of his leaving rather than anything else.

did find:

WILLIAM DOWNING
Spouse: MATILDA ANN MATHEWS
Marriage: 29 APR 1830 Stoke Damerel, Devon
Extracted Record Ref:
M052421 1829 - 1837 0916927 Film

which may hold further info - you will need to view this at a FRC near you (see online for your nearest). However, do bear in mind that parents were not obligued to be listed pre 1837 but the witness's can oftentimes be helpful. Also, his middle name could well be his mothers maiden name, which was very common back then so, keep that in mind also.

A copy of Matilda's death certificate might also hold some info (on her) so well worth getting (online at £7 incl of w/wide postage)

back again

cannot find anything definitive for either William or Matilda births so, would suggest you do 2 further separate messages for each. something like (on the Devon Board):

PR - William Downing c1807 in Thurlestone, Devon

Could anyone help please on a look up for the above's birth/christening

then, do another for Matilda

PR = Parish Records (church) and would be the only other source pre 1837

Best of luck

Ell

JFI:

Deaths Jun 1852
Downing Matilda Ann
Registered in Liverpool
Volume 8b
Page 107

Hi Ellen,
Thanks for the help, I will place a query on the Devon board.

Regards
Liz