Thread: Francis Atkins

Francis Atkins 1789-1857 (Kent & Ireland)

My long standing "personal brickwall" with regards to researching Francis Atkins my GGG Grandfather.

From the marriage certificate for James Atkins (my GG Grandfather), Francis Atkins is the father of James Atkins. The marriage was solemized at Canterbury in the parish of St. Alphege on 9th October 1854.
Details from the certificate: James Atkins, batchelor aged 34, residence Teynham - Hannah Elizabeth Minter, spinster aged 35, residence St.Alphege. Grooms Fathers name: Francis Atkins - Labourer and Brides fathers name: John Minter - Butcher.

Francis Atkins:
About 1789 Birth Teynham, Kent, England. (from 1841 and 1851 census returns). I have the transcribed Parish records for TEYNHAM, St. Mary ~ Baptisms 1539-1924 but there is not an entry for Francis.

1808 Age: 19 Occupation Army 68th Foot Regiment

1820 Age: 31 Occupation Army 68th Foot Regiment - Record Summary Scope and content FRANCIS ATKINS Born TEYNHAM, Kent Served in 68th Foot Regiment Discharged aged 27 Covering dates 1808-1820 Held by The National Archives, Kew

A Francis Atkins of the correct age can be located in the 1841 and 1851 census returns living in Teynham. His wife Margaret is shown to be born in Ireland as possibly was James and his brother Thomas.

1841 - Source Citation: Class: HO107; Piece 476; Book: 4; Civil Parish: Teynham; County: Kent; Enumeration District: 2; Folio: 23; Page: 10; Line: 21;
Francis Atkins 50, Ag Lab, Birthplace=Kent
Margaret Atkins 45-Birthplace=Ireland
Thomas Atkins 15=Kent
Frances Atkins 12-Kent
Joseph Atkins 9-Kent
Mary Atkins 9-Kent

1851 - Source Citation: Class: HO107; Piece: 1626; Folio: 567; Page: 20;
Francis Atkins 65-Chelsea Pensioner, Ag Lab, Birthplace=Teynham (1786)
Margaret Atkins 56-Birthplace=Ireland (1796)
Thomas Atkins 28 Birthplace=Ireland (1823)
Francis Atkins 21 Birthplace=Teynham (1830)
Mary Atkins 19 Birthplace=Teynham (1832)

Supporing information for James Atkins is from the following Census returns:

From the 1851 census (Source Citation: Class: HO107; Piece: 1626; Folio: 575; Page: 37;
Upper Newlands Farm Teynham.
Anna Minter (33) Birthplace Canterbury, Cook, Unmarried. (could this be Hannah??)
James Atkins (30) Birthplace Teynham, Groom, Unmarried.
Could be that they met whilst working on this farm.

From the 1861 Source Citation: Class: RG9; Piece: 528; Folio: 4; Page: 2;
James Askins (Atkins) 41, Ag Lab Birthplace given as Ireland?? Hannah E Askins (Atkins) 43 Birthplace=Bridge,

Edward J Askins (Atkins) 6, Birthplace=Bapchild Elizabeth Askins (Atkins) 4 Birthplace=Bapchild.
(Bridge is a village just outside Canterbury)

From the 1871 Source Citation: Class: RG10; Piece: 999; Folio: 6; Page: 6; .
James A Atkins (57-Groom and Gardener, Birthplace=Teynham) Hannah E Atkins (53 Birthplace=Bridge) Edward J Atkins (16-Agricultural Labourer, Birthplace=Bapchild)

From the 1881 census Source Citation: Class: RG11; Piece: 971; Folio: 93; Page: 16;
James Atkins (60, Farm Labourer, Birthplace Tenyham) Elizabeth Atkins (Hannah Elizabeth Minter) (62) Birthplace - Bridge.

Can anyone offer any suggestions on how I can further research my Atkins ancestors.

I had a few useful tips and have since looked at the "rootsireland" site and unfortunately I cannot find any records from the index that are worth exploring further.

The key missing fact is obviously the marriage of Francis and Margaret. That would have given me another surname to chase.

Francis I believe died in 1857 so it would have probably been Margaret who registered the death. Margaret I believe died in 1866 (in the Faversham Workhouse) so I would not expect to gain any additional information from the respective death certificates.

I have also posted this on other forums and I have tried contact with fellow Atkins researchers further down the family line but as yet no additional hints.
Here's hoping for that one "vital" lead.
Thanks,
peejayess