MySource:Robroy/Email from Trevor and Jill Riches 3 Dec, 2006

Hello to you both

It is probably a fortuitous time to meet because it is only in the last few weeks that I have located Frederick Richard Steed. I am waiting for some records to arrive which will confirm what I have discovered. One problem arose because the portion of the 1841 census that FRS was on is missing so one quite vital avenue has been closed. He was born in Ashford, Kent and has quite a few brothers and sisters. I have done a little bit of research which I am quite happy to share.

His parents are George Steed and Mary Oliver. The IGI has the following details which I have not substantiated

George Steed, born 26.4.1790; Mary Oliver born 6.1.1791. According to the IGI they married on 6.1.1810 at Ashford. A Kent directory for 1823 show a George Steed in Ashford – plumber, painter, glazier

The children that I know about to date and again they are not confirmed but they have all listed George Steed (painter, glazier, plumber) and Mary Oliver as parents

Robert James Steed, born 1814 in Elham (from the parish records George Steed and Mary Oliver) – no further details yet Henry Oliver Steed, born 1815 in Elham and died in Australia. I obtained Henry’s marriage certificate in Australia and it lists his parents as George Steed (painter and glazier) and Mary Steed Matilda Steed, born 1818 in Elham – died unmarried in Kent 1888 Lydia Elizabeth Steed, born 1821 in Ashford, married James Kadwell and died in Kent in 1887 Mary Matilda Steed, born 1823 in Ashford, died unmarried in Kent in 1878 Catherine Steed, born 1825 in Ashford, married Charles Giles, died 1851 in Ashford Frederick Richard Steed, born 1828 in Ashford Charles Steed, born 1830 in Ashford, died 1882 in Michigan, USA

There are a number of George Steeds born to George and Mary – and a number died. There is a likely candidate on the census but I have not pursued him as yet. I also feel there must be more children early in the marriage if they were indeed married in 1810. I obtained Mary’s death certificate as well (she died in 1841) although to date I have not discovered the death of George (which was before 1841). Another researcher did send me an 1841 census record for a Frederick Steed in Surrey but I do not believe that entry is connected to us.

I have discovered also an Ann Steed on the 1841 census – I think she might be someone’s wife but her husband is not listed with her although at least one of her children appears on the 1851 census with Charles Steed and Catherine Giles.

I am not sure how much information you would like. Are you interested in what I have on their families?

Trevor and Jill Strathalbyn South Australia