Hi,
I am researching my 7 times great grandfather Christopher Shapland, who was born in North Molton in 1700 (the second of 10 children) to John and Elizabeth Shapland, according to the baptismal register. Although John and Elizabeth's first child Joan is born in 1698, I cant find a marriage of a John to Elizabeth in North Molton records. There is however a marriage of a Johan Shapland to a Maria Moreman in North Molton in 1697, which seems the right sort of date. I need to find some data to confirm who Christopher's parents were and when they married.
I have also found a baptismal record for a John Shapland at Knowstone, on 11 May 1670 (Knowstone is some 11 miles south of North Molton) so again within the bounds of possibility as a place of birth. If he is the father of Christopher, his parents were Pascha and Elionor Shapland.
John Shapland was not from the parish of North Molton, which suggests that Elizabeth / Maria was of the North Molton parish and that is why the wedding was held there. Any thoughts as to how I might be able to clarify this slightly murky situation ?
Many thanks.
Nick