Genealogy Chat

My great, great, great grandfather was called Samuel Govier born 1838 in Bideford or Parkham, (these keep changing on the census, but are close together on the map), Devon. I have never found anything further back on him. I know from his marriage certificate his father's name was James Govier. i have infact found a Samuel Hopkins Glover with all the same date, place of birth and name of father. I know that the Glover has not been mistranscribed from Govier. Could the surname have been mispelt and pronanced how it was written as Samuel grew up so he thought his surname was Govier. Would appriecate any sugguestions or ideas. Fern.

It's possible, but I am wondering about the Hopkins middle name? nell

It was his mother's maiden name. The only thing holding me back from thinking this is the right person is that I don't have much evidence to back it up with. Why do they make this job impossible sometimes. Fern.

Fern, If your ancestors could not read or write (like most!) at that time, it could just be one vicar writing the name down wrongly because HE couldn't spell GOVIER! D'you think? Regs Jane PS: Have you yet tried looking for a GOVIER/HOPKINS marriage in the Parish Registers? That ought to make you more certain.

Yeah they must have thought it was spelt like that so started spelling it like that and people in years to come were pronancing as Govier because it was spelt Govier. The fact I can't find any Samuel Govier for that time or area he is the only one close enough to match. This must be him. Fern.

Hello Fern I'm not able to help you with your query, but wondered if you have any Goviers in the London area, around 1880 - 1900? Suzy

I have made a couple of friends at our local Record Office and I'm sure that Paul is researching the Govier family as he asked me to check on the Internet for them as he doesn't use it. I will see him on Tuesday and will show him your message. It's an unusual name, so there could be a link Can you give me some more detail. Update. I have just found an old note re Paul's research. He has a Mary Ann Govier, who married Stephen David Jones Dec qtr 1890 in Swansea District.

Unless he grew up apart from his father and mother I cant really see how . there seem to be plenty of Goviers around..How can you be sure it isn't a mistanscription? Jess

All my Govier's come from Devon. None that I know moved to London. I think I'm gonna have to go to Devon to the parish and look up the records, trouble is it's over 360 miles away from were I live. Fern.

Iv'e spoken to my friend Paul and he is going to check his trees to see if there is a link

Cheers everyone, now going to plan a visit to Devon to check out parish records. Fern.