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Maria Wills bap 1790

Posted by Robin Daniels on 14/6/2023, 7:35 pm

Can anyone help me please ? I am trying to confirm the full names of Maria Wills parents and siblings. She was baptised at ST Andrew Plymouth on 26th March 1790. I don’t have access to any genealogy sites at this time and would be very grateful for any help. Maria is my 4 x Gt Grandmother. Thanks in advance , Robin Daniels.

Re: Maria Wills bap 1790

Posted by Judith on 15/6/2023, 12:52 pm, in reply to "Maria Wills bap 1790"

baptised 26.3.1790 St Andrews Plymouth, parents Michael and Catherine.
familysearch.org site has baptism in Devon, has record, but no details, but if you go back to page 3 the details of the parish are at the front.

Re: Maria Wills bap 1790

Posted by Judith on 15/6/2023, 1:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Maria Wills bap 1790"

found a marriage, Michael Wills married Catherine Keef, 15.9.1776 St Andrews Plymouth, which if its the right couple might indicate that there were more children before Maria.

Re: Maria Wills bap 1790

Posted by Judith on 15/6/2023, 1:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Maria Wills bap 1790"

There is a tree for Catherine on familysearch site, gives her parents as Thomas Keef 1701 and Susanna Langworthy 1702, and a son born 1787 Garland Langworthy Wills.Catherine bapt 1745 Maker, cornwall
Would suggest you try familysearch site as there is probably more you can get for free.
The tree also has Michael Wills death in 1798, but would need checking, as there are more than one it could be.

Re: Maria Wills bap 1790

Posted by Judith on 15/6/2023, 1:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Maria Wills bap 1790"

Look at National Archives site, you can register, for free, and view the will of Michael Wills,(gentleman of Plymouth), which mentions wife Catherine, children Richard Charles Garland, Kitty and Maria. will proved 5.8.1800, so he died before that.

Re: Maria Wills bap 1790

Posted by Robin Daniels on 15/6/2023, 2:44 pm, in reply to "Re: Maria Wills bap 1790"

Dear Judith
Thank you so much for that information
It’s fantastic !
Would you happen to know how best I could access the baptism records for St Andrew parish Plymouth ?
Thanks again !
Robin

Re: Maria Wills bap 1790

Posted by Judith on 15/6/2023, 4:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Maria Wills bap 1790"

familysearch.org search for Maria, you need to register with them, but no charge, click on the record and it will come up with micro fische film of the entries. The one I found was for St Andrews Plymouth (there is a page number for Maria, if you go back from that you should be able to find siblings, Garland was born app 1787 approx. died 1849, according to the tree I found on same site.
Kitty may be Catherine jnr.

Re: Maria Wills bap 1790

Posted by Robin Daniels on 16/6/2023, 1:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Maria Wills bap 1790"

Thanks Judith for all of your guidance.
I have downloaded the will !
Best Wishes
Robin

Re: Maria Wills bap 1790

Posted by Judith on 19/6/2023, 10:15 am, in reply to "Re: Maria Wills bap 1790"

Good luck, you are so lucky getting a will, gives you definite names etc. He must have died quite young. Perhaps wife married again? plenty for you to look for.

Re: Maria Wills bap 1790

Posted by Robin Daniels on 21/6/2023, 4:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Maria Wills bap 1790"

Thanks again Judith.
Much appreciated.
I’ve now discovered that Michael Wills wife was Catherine Keef bap 1745.
Her father was Thomas Keef bap 1701
He married Susanna Langworthy in April 1726.
She appears to be a gateway ancestor!!!
Obviously I need to be cautious and check records for confirmation.
Best Wishes
Robin

Re: Maria Wills bap 1790

Posted by Judith on 22/6/2023, 11:59 am, in reply to "Re: Maria Wills bap 1790"

Looks as if Thomas Keef died 1787 Plymouth,(says Devon on family search, clicking on records shows the record is for Plymouth)

Re: Maria Wills bap 1790

Posted by Judith on 22/6/2023, 11:31 am, in reply to "Re: Maria Wills bap 1790"

The Will is your biggest clue, and where you can see microfische of records can confirm. I found Catherine and her father, but wanted you to be able to find it!! should be straightforward, might be more wills , just use the surnames and see what you get,and dont forget Cornwall, as parishes very close to Plymouth.

Re: Maria Wills bap 1790

Posted by Robin Daniels on 22/6/2023, 1:46 pm, in reply to "Re: Maria Wills bap 1790"

Hi Judith
Your points noted
Thank you.
Yes I see that Catherine Keef was christened in Maker , Cornwall, in 1745 which makes her my first christening in that county ! I feel real love of Cornwall thanks to childhood holidays.
I shall push on.
Who knows where this will lead ? !
Thanks again for your guidance and help.
Best Wishes
Robin

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