Family History
© Craig Thornber, England, United Kingdom Main Site Address: https://www.thornber.net/
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The objective of this page is to try to draw up family groups from
the registers of Waddington St. Helen's with additions from some
additional parishes that have a few Thornber entries. On separate pages, I have listed baptism,
marriage and burial
records for Thornber families at Waddington. The following details
pertain to
Waddington and the additional
parishes in the neighbourhood. However, this is far from a comprehensive survey. There
are many other records for Waddington which have not yet been fitted
together into existing or new branches of the families.
All the Thornber entries have been abstracted from the YPRS transcript, which covers 1666 to 1812 in volume XCI, published in 1932.
Lancashire Archives has original registers for baptism, 1744-1875; marriages, 1744-1847 and burials, 1805-1812. In addition, there is a copy of the Bishops' transcripts. The I.G.I. has indexed baptisms, 1744-1847, and marriages, 1744-1812. I have examined burials from 1808-1847 and found no Thornber entries. Burials checked on BT also to 1847. Baptisms remain to be checked.
Lancashire Archives has original registers for baptisms, 1610-1917; marriages, 1610-1838; and burials, 1610 to 1907 which are all copied on microfilm. Lancashire Archives also has copies of the Bishops' transcripts. The I.G.I. have indexed baptisms, 1720-1841 and marriages, 1720-1841. I have transcribed baptisms and burials from 1720 to 1812 and with Phil Marsden transcribed the registers 1610 to 1720. In addition I have checked on the microfilm, Mitton baptisms, 1813-1841; marriages, 1813-1842 and burials, 1819 to 1871 but no Thornbers were found. See details on Mitton on my transcription page and all the Thornber records are now on my West Yorkshire compilation page
I have checked the Bishops' transcripst for baptisms and burials from 1772 and marriages from 1785. The Bishops' transcripts for many years are missing. A copy of the original exists at Preston with baptisms from 1770.
A few Bentham records have also been included from the Yorkshire I.G.I. and subsequently the YPRS volume XCI covering 1666 to 1812 has been consulted to confirm all details.
Each baptism and marriage has been recorded below. The name of the father is given as a sub-heading for each family and plausible family groupings have been put together. Where possible the baptisms are associated with a marriage. Many of these groupings are speculative, particularly in cases where the mother's forename is not given at the baptism of a child. Comments are made on the uncertainties.
In some cases, a couple has married in one parish but had children baptised in another. Cross reference is made to the appropriate listing when I have been able to identify this situation. Where the parents of children who appear to be in the same family are named differently at the various baptisms, such as Ann and Nancy, a note is made.
In some of the earlier records, there is confusion in the I.G.I. about dates between 1 January and 25 March on the Julian calendar. In such cases they have been put as say 1695/6 but may need to be checked again. England moved to the Gregorian Calendar in 1751. Before this New Year's Day was 25 March. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced on the continent in 1582 and had New Year's day on 1st January. Hence in the period between 1582 and 1751 a date between 1st January and 25 March would have been in different years on the two calendars. The situation was resolved in England when 1751 began on 25 March but ended on 31 December. The year 1752 then started on 1 January. To bring the calendar back into sequence with the seasons, September 2nd was followed by September 14th in 1752.
The use of an X between Christian name and Surname indicates that the person made their mark when signing the marriage register. Different spellings of Thornber have been highlighted by emboldening but the spelling is remarkably consistent from early times.
There are only four Thornbers mentioned in the area. There are none in Slaidburn, Newton or Grindleton but in West Bradford Robert and Nicholas Thornber are listed together and Robert has a horse. No Thornber records occur for Mitton or Waddington but in Bashall John and Giles Thornber are listed together.
Indexed by mistake under Hornber at the Bothwick Institute is the will of Ralph Thornber of 1573. Mentioned are Alice (Croasdale?) his wife, Richard, Robert and Thomas his brothers, a sister Isabella, and Giles his father.
Margareta d. Ricardus Thornebar, bapt. 30 Dec 1599, Waddington
There are also entries for Ann daughter of a Richard and Brigitta Wilkinson in 1602 at Gisburn which needs to be checked. There was also Xpofer (Christopher) son of Richard in Ripon in on 9 Feb 1604
Egidius is the Latin equivalent to Giles.
Elling d. Gyles Thornboure, bapt. 3 April 1617, Wadd
Richard s. Gyles Thornboure, bapt. 20 May 1620, Wadd
Wm. s. Giles Thornber, bapt. 28 October 1638, Wadd
There are burials of Giles or Egidius Thornbers in Waddington in 1638, 1647 and 1655.
I have details of the will of a Gyles Thornber, made 30 July 1647 and proved April 1648 at York. He had a son Richard and an unnamed daughter. His wife was Isabella. In addition the will mentions a brother Thomas Thornber and a cousin Anthony Thornber.
Slaidburn court roll entries that may be relevant.
Thornber Gyles and others to Wm Thornber, Parke, M, 1666
Thornber Ann to Wm Thornber, release, Sd Manor, E, 1669
In the book “Reclamation and Settlement of Bowland, 1500 to 1650, Apportionment of the manor commons 1621” there is mention on page 240 of Isabelle the wife of Nich Thorneborowe in relation to the West Bradford Commons. There are six records of children for Nicholas but only two baptisms as follows.
Margaret, d. Nicholas Thornboure, bapt. 10 Sept 1618, Wadd.
Isabella, d. Nicholai Thornber de Bradford, bapt. 1 Sept 1621, Wadd.
In addition there was Anthony, the eldest son, George, Ellin and Elizabeth mentioned in a will. Nicholas is a very uncommon name among the Thornbers. The Will shows that Nicholas, who died between March and June 1658, had a younger son George and four daughters, Ellin, Elizabeth, Margaret and Isabell. There was also an older son Anthony mentioned in the bond. Nicholas’s wife was called Isabella. (Details transcribed by Chris Spencer). See the separate page on Nicholas.
There is a will showing that a Nicholas, who died between March and June 1658, had a younger son, George, and four daughters, Ellin, Elizabeth, Margaret and Isabell. There was also an older son, Anthony, mentioned in the bond. Nicholas had a wife called Isabella. (Details transcribed by Chris Spencer)
Ricardus, s. Thome Thornber, bapt 16 July 1620, Wadd.
Gyles, s. Thome Thornber, bapt 3 Apr 1627, Wadd.
Elena, d. Thome Thornbar, bapt 1 Mar 1632, Wadd
Eliz, d. Thome , bapt. 1 Mar 1632, Wadd.
Gracia, d. Thomae, bapt. 19 Apr1635, Wadd.Burials: An Elizabeth daughter of Thomas buried at Waddington on 15 March 1631/2.
Egidius f. Richardi Thornber, bapt. 4 Jun 1626, Wadd.
Burials: Richard was buried at Waddington on 17 March 1637/8.
An Ellin wife of Richard was buried at Waddington on 15 January 1627/8.
Another Ellin said to be a wife rather than widow of Richard was buried at Waddington on 27 September 1647 indicating that either there was a second Richard or the one dying in 1637 was not the one associated with this group.
An Egidius married Margreta Parker on 28 April 1635 at Slaidburn. They are in generation 1 of the family in Slaidburn 1.
Children baptised at Waddington were:
Egidius f. Egidii Thornbar, bapt. 14 Aug 1636, Wadd.
Gulielmus, f. Egidii Thornbar, bapt. 28 Oct 1638, Wadd.
Ann f. Egidii Thornebar, bapt. 12 Sept 1641
Anthonius f. Egidii Thornbar, bapt. 5 Jan 1645 (buried 2 Feb 1688/9, at Waddington)
Johes, f. Egidii Thornbar, bapt 3 Sept 1648 (buried at Waddington, 2 April 1665)
Burials: A Gyles was buried at Waddington on 30 November 1655 but there is no way of knowing which family he belonged to on this evidence alone. There is also a Johes son of Egidius buried 1665 but there is no way of knowing if it is the one born in 1648 on this evidence alone.
Slaidburn court rolls entries that may be relevant
Thornber Gyles and others to Wm Thornber, Parke, M, 1666
Thornber Ann to Wm Thornber, release, Sd Manor, E, 1669
Baptisms:
Issabella filia Anthonij Thornbar at Wadd on 28 May 1648
Nicholas ye sonne of Antho: Thornbar at Wadd on 3 Nov 1650
James the sone of Anthony Thornbar at Wadd on 12 Dec 1652
Agnes dau. of Anthonye Thornber (birth date) at Wadd on 2 Sep 1655 (a birth date recorded during the Commonwealth Period)
Burials:
An Anthony was buried at Waddington on 31 May 1656.
A James son of Anthony was buried at Waddington on 20 December 1657.
A Margreta wife of Anthony was buried at Waddington on 11 October 1669.
Note the Slaidburn Court Roll entry: Thornber Geo with ** to Nicholas Thornber son of Anthony, Bradford, Easter, 1665. Could this refer to the Nicholas above.
Baptisms at Waddington. (births were recorded during the Commonwealth period
Ellin, 1655
Agnes, born 30 Sept 1660
Johannes, bapt. 3 Apr 1663
Burials:
An Ann dau of John was buried at Waddington on 3
Jan 1677/8.
An Ellin dau of John was buried at Waddington on 7 Jan 1677/8.
A Margaretta wife of John was buried at Waddington on 19 February
1685/6.
A Giles married Isabella in 1659 in Waddington. Margreet said to be a daughter of Gyles. This could be the Egidius born in 1636 mentioned in Footnote 1 in Slaidburn 1.
Baptistms at Waddington
Elizabeth 1665
Anna, 1666
Johes (Johannnes ie. John, 11 Jan 1669
Maria, 10 Sept 1671
Sarah, 1673
Gulielm (William), 1676
Jane, 1689
Burials at Waddington
Isabella wife of Egidius,
buried 22 Jan 1662/3
A second Isabella wife of Egidius, 2 June 1666
Johes son of Egidius, 2 April 1665. This could be the son of
Egidius noted above as born on 3 Sept 1648
Another Johes, son of Egidius buried on 13 May 1672
Anna Thornber married Johes Chapman on 19 February 1662/3
Ann Thornber married Rogerus Fell on 25 March 1667/8
Georgius Thornber married Margareta Chew on 9 April 1667.
Baptisms at Waddington
Nicholas son of Georgius, 1668
Isabela dau. of Georgius, 1670
Eliz dau. of Georgisus, 1673
Slaidburn Court Rolls Entry
Thornber Geo with ** to Nicholas Thornber son of Anthony of Bradford E. 1665
This is the only person at this period in the Waddington register who could be described as Geo.
Family 11. Gulielmus or William
Baptisms at Waddington
Wilhelmus 1668
Magrereta, 1670
John, 28 June 1671
Johes, 1672
Ellina 1676
Records in the International Genealogical Index show a John born 28 Jan 1671 son of William and Ann and baptised 28 Jan 1672 son of William. This could be a confusion on the old Gregorian Calendar so unless there was a John who died in infancy and a second child was called John.
Burials at Waddington
Egidius son of
Will'mi on 9 Aug 1673
Ann wife of Wihelmi 9 May 1680
Ellina dau of
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