Thread: Chappell Kids- any Missing?

James Chappell and wife Mary nee Spencer had a daughter Maria(1819), a daughter Emma (1821) and a daughter Eliza (1829).The time between Emma and Eliza seems to be too great for no children to show up.I would have thought at least 2 maybe 3 more.Any thoughts other than died at birth?

You don't say where this is, but if you've checked the baptism register and found no babies, you might need to check the burial registers which often included stillborn infants.



Other possibilities are that there were other pregnancies that ended in miscarriage, or that husband and wife were separated for a while, maybe through illness, or husband working a long way away, or being imprisoned.

According to the IGI Maria and Emma were baptised in St Mary Warwick and Eliza in St George's Southwark. Are you sure its the same parents?

As far as I can tell it is the same family.

The 1841 census shows 4 children- Emma,Henry(1831 Southwark),Josia(1835 Southwark) and Mary Ann(1840 Newington).Maria,Eliza and James were not present at the census for some reason.

Well, I am not convinced this is the same family. You've mentioned two new people, Henry and Josia(h) and you haven't found Maria, Eliza or James with them.



Unless you have 1851 entries with their birthplaces and have traced the parents, I don't see that you can assume these people are the same family or that the Warwickshaire and Surrey families are the same.

1841 census shows

Nelson Place, Newington, Surrey

James Chapppell 50 engineer not born in county

Mary Ann Chappell 46 not born in county

Emma Chappell 20 not born in county

Henry Chappell 9 born Surrey

Josiah Chappell 5 born Surrey

Mary Ann Chappell 1 born in Surrey



So it appears this could be the Warwickshire family, presumably moved to Surrey because of James' occupation.



So the question is - where are the other girls, Eliza and Maria - probably working as domestic servants or married? And were there children between Emma and Henry? Its possible that they were born in a place not covered by the IGI.



Mary Ann senior was also getting on a bit to have Mary Ann junior. I'm wondering if perhaps she was a granddaughter and not a daughter?

I have wondered about Mary Ann the child since the mother was fairly old but the birth certificate identifies Mary Ann as the mother so what can you do but have a question at the back of your mind?