Researching MARSHALLSEA / MARSHALLSAY and variations in Somerset and Dorset. We have some Marshallseas in our tree and when we started to do some research we found lots in Somerset and Dorset with interchangeable variations in the spelling. Were they all of one family originally? Have set up a database with names extracted from the IGI, vital records indexes etc, and would like to hear from anyone with knowledge of how the families might be connected. Very grateful for any help.

Very thrilled to see your posting! Marshallsay line is one of my brick walls! Here is what I have on the family in Dorset, England. Matthew MARSHALLSAY (1800-1890) was a sea captain.

(1) 1 Matthew James Jeanes MARSHALLSAY, M
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Birth Date: abt 1811
Birth Place: Polle (Hamworthy), Dorest, England
Death Date: 1890
Death Place: Omaha, Nebraska

Spouse: Mary Jane WELLMAN, F
Birth Date: abt 1818
Birth Place: Evershot, Dorset, England
Marr Date: 5 Aug 1838
Marr Place: Radipole, Dorset, England

Children: Mary Eliza (Mary Jane), F (1840-)
Sarah Ann, F (1843-1927)
Julia, F (~1846-)
James William, M (1848-)
Elizabeth, F (1850-)
Ellen Elizabeth Alma, F (1856-1930)
Joseph or John James, M (1856-)
Alexander, M (1861-)

(2) 1.1 Mary Eliza (Mary Jane) MARSHALLSAY, F
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Birth Date: 7 May 1840
Birth Place: Weymouth, Dorset, England

(2) 1.2 Sarah Ann MARSHALLSAY, F
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Birth Date: 6 Jun 1843
Birth Place: Weymouth, Dorset, England
Death Date: 15 Oct 1927
Death Place: Pocatello, Bannock County, Idaho

Spouse: George William SAY, M
Birth Date: Feb 1842
Birth Place: North Bradley, Wiltshire, England
Death Date: Sep 1885
Death Place: Anaconda, , Montana
Marr Date: 9 Apr 1866
Marr Place: Berkley, Somerset, England

Children: Georgia, F (~1864-)
Lacey Graham, M (1866-1947)
Alma Cassandra, F (1867-)
Delacey Graham, M (~1869-)
Georgina Sabrina, F (1870-)
Arthur Percival, M (1872-1953)
Rosa V., F (1874-)
Violet C., F (1877-)
Julia Christina, F (1879-)
George Walter, M (1881-)
Leonard, M (~1883-)

(2) 1.3 Julia MARSHALLSAY, F
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Birth Date: abt 1846
Birth Place: Weymouth, Dorset, England
settled in Oklahoma

Spouse: James CHOWINS, M

(2) 1.4 James William MARSHALLSAY, M
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Birth Date: 2 Jan 1848
Birth Place: Weymouth, Dorset, England

(2) 1.5 Elizabeth MARSHALLSAY, F
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Birth Date: Jun 1850
Birth Place: Weymouth, Dorset, England

(2) 1.6 Ellen Elizabeth Alma MARSHALLSAY, F
(Went by Alma)
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Birth Date: 16 Oct 1856
Birth Place: Weymouth, England
Death Date: 26 Sep 1930
Death Place: Pomona, California

Spouse: Martin VAN WIG, M
Birth Date: 26 Apr 1851
Birth Place: Trondheim, Norway
Death Date: 12 Dec 1929
Death Place: Pomona, California
Father: Johan Pieter WANVIG, M (<1801-)
Mother: Caroline FALCH, F (1808-1861)
Marr Date: Mar 1874
Marr Place: Tarrytown, New York

Children: Martin James, M (1875-)
Julius Edwin "Ed", M (1877-1948)
Wilfred Lyle, M (1880-1962)
Maude Beatrice, F (1883-)
Stella Georgina, F (1887-)
Kenneth WELLMAN, M (1898-1986)

(2) 1.7 Joseph or John James MARSHALLSAY, M
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Birth Date: 18 Oct 1856
Birth Place: Wyke Regis, Dorset, England

(2) 1.8 Alexander MARSHALLSAY, M
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Birth Date: 20 Jul 1861
Birth Place: Wyke Regis, Dorset, England

Hi Lynette, I'm just as thrilled to hear from you! Since I posted the message I've set up a database for Marshallsea and variants, with info culled from the 1851 & 1881 Census, British Vital Records, GRO indexes etc. I was hoping to be able to put family groups together and try to work out where my lot come in. It's been a limited success, but your reply will help me tie up a lot of loose ends - I'll sort it all out and mail you after the weekend, after I've added your bits. With my lot, I've only been able to go back as far as Albert John Marshalsea with verification from certificates, but other research has me convinced that his parents were Matthew Marshalsea and Matilda Cooke. Thanks again - you'll hear from me next week with (hopefully) something a little more coherent than this! Loretta Thomas, in Australia.

Hello, My Gtx3grandmother was Ann Marshallsay bn 1820 in Chickerell, Weymouth who maried James Randall on 6.7.1847. Her parents were James and Edith. I have some info on the previous 2 generations all based in the Chickerell area of Dorset. If this is of any interest please contact me.

Thank you, that would be great! I have the marriage of Ann and James (from the IGI) but any other info you may have would be a great help in connecting the families. I have a database with Marshallsea/Marshallsay people from the area, with information culled from Cenuses, IGI, BRVI etc. My aim is to link them all with their families (ambitious!) so I can narrow down which lot is 'mine' - so yes, anything you are willing to share would be very gratefully received. Thanks again,
Loretta

MY GRANDFATHER WAS WILLIAM EDGAR MARSHALLSEA IN BRISTOL, ENGLAND BORN 12/20/1869 TO 1953, HIS MOTHER'S NAME WAS FLORENCE . IF ANYONE HAS INFO ON THEM I WOULD APPRICATE IT.

HI Lorreta my surname is Marshallsea, parents were born in Bristol England Dennis and Beryl . My grandfather was William Edgar Marshallsea born 12/201869 to 1953 . I do have a copy of birth certificate if needed , his mothers name was Florence , I dont know any more prior info but have family names after. Any info you have prior would be appricated. Jim Marshallsea

Hello Loretta Thomas and Lynnette McMahon,
Your messages gave me hope!
My Grandmother, Mary Jane pearce, was born in Bridport, Dorset, England,on Feb.2, 1870. Her parents were Mary Marshallsea(not sure of spelling) and Nephi Pearce. She refused to talk about her family except when we plied her with a little brandy. We suspect that her mother married "beneath her station", and was disowned. She was probably in her teens when she became pregnant. Her first 2 children were born in England. The family immigrated to America-Philadelphia or Boston. Nephi Pearce was a mechanic who worked for McCormick Reaper Co., and they may have paid for his passage. Mary Marshallsea Pearce died mof cancer when she was about 45 years old. She was pregnant with her youngest son, and died shortly after his birth. My Grandmother, Mary Jane Pearce Hansen, raised her little brother. There is a Mary Ann Marshallsea, born in 1844, in Dorset, who may have been My GGrandmother.
Hope there is a connection. You two have given me hope. Thanks

Hello Mary,
I wish I could help, but I haven't had much joy yet. Since seeing your message I've been through the (piles of) notes I have on Marshallsea & variations in the Dorset/Somerset areas with no success. But don't give up hope, I'm still looking for my lot, so will keep your information handy and you never know, we might find them eventually. Nephi Pearce, what a great name! Distinctive too, which is always a help. Best of luck, I'll be in touch if I find anything useful,
Loretta

Helo James,
Sorry for the slow reply - somehow I missed seeing the little notification you get when someone posts a reply to a message. Anyway, I was trawling through my Marshalsea stuff for someone else and looked for your William Edgar, but haven't been able to find him yet. BUT that could be because he's a bit outside the areas I've been looking in. Was he in England at the time of the 1881 census? I can have a look at my other resources for him if you like, might take a couple of days but I get there in the end! Was Florence married when she had William? I could look for Florence too if you know her family surname. Cheers, Loretta