Thread: Thomas Watkins/Kessel

My 4x Grandfather was Thomas Watkins/Kessel, chr 1 Jan 1745 at St Mary, Reading, Berks. According to the I.G.I, he was the son of Thomas Whatkins/Watkins and Mary Kessel chr 22 Nov 1720 also at St Mary in Reading. Thomas Whatkins was also (I believe) from the Reading area and was born around 1712. I dont know if they were ever married and if so, I would really appreciate it if someone could give me some idea of where and when. Also where he came from and who his parents/siblings were. I really would like to go further back, if possible.
In 1770 Thomas Watkins/Kessel married Anne May and they had several children, two named Thomas. First child Thomas, 13 Jan 1771. Second child Thomas,25 Oct 1772. I think the first child must have died, but would like to have it confirmed one way or another.
many thanks in advance for any information..
Daytona.

hello daytona

Second child Thomas,25 Oct 1772. I think the first child must have died

As deaths/burials were not a priority when adding to the LDS, not many have been extracted form the Parish Records, suggest you look at the familysearch.org site for the nearest library to you, you may then order the original Parish records and view them, 'page turning' may through up other family memebrs.

The alternative is to visit the local Record Office Berkshire click here to look at the records,

Hi Milford Lass,
Thanks for your reply. I do have this information about the birth, Mother , Father etc, and thats about as far as I can go at the moment. What I would like to know is who, and where, did his father (Thomas Whatkins) come from. Did he also come from the Reading area time, place etc, or someplace different? It has been suggested (a) that I look in the Berkshire Records Office, but as I am in Canada at the moment thats not possible, or (b) to try the LDS local office. A friend of mine tried to 'phone them for an appointment but couldn't even get an answer.....
Anything that can set me on the right track will be appreciated. Any ideas?
Thanks once more. Daytona.

Hi Elsabels,
Sorry to have taken so long to get back to you. Thanks for your reply, but I'm in Canada so ''page turning'' at the BRO or any other record office is a no go. I'm told that our ''local'' LDS office is a bit of a hit and miss affair, a friend couldn't get a reply from several 'phone calls when trying to make an appointment for research.
So the question remains....Where did the father (Thomas Whatkins) come from and when was he born etc etc?
As usual any suggestions or help are really appreciated. Thanks again for your time.
daytona.

If you look at a copy of this book, you may get an answer!

Search books.google.co.uk, there is also a library finder linked to the book

Berkshire Phillimores Marriage Parish Registers Berkshire

Phillimore Parish Registers
Phillimore's Marriage Registers are a series of books published in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Phillimore and Co. The database currently covers 26 Counties. They are invaluable for those searching Marriages in particular. One should note that the Phillimore Marriage Registers do not cover all the parishes or complete dates - this depends on the surviving registers and those that were collected by Phillimore and therefore there may be some omissions. As with any transcription it is advisable to verify the original parish registers which may also contain additional useful information.



William Pigott
Bride's Name:Mary Kessell
Marriage Date:14 Jul 1750
Marriage Place:Saint Mary,Reading,Berkshire,England
Indexing Project (Batch) Number:M01847-1System Origin:England-ODMSource Film Number:88341

Me thinks that his parents didnot marry

As you have both of the relevant dates, why not e mail the BRO and ask if they will photocopy and send I suspect there will be a charge & postage!!!!!