On This Day in History... January 20, 1811

James BRICKNELL was baptised[1] in Burmington, Warwickshire, England 206 years ago, today. He was the first child and son of Joseph BRICKNELL and Fanny PANSON. And was my 4^th great-grandfather.

His official date of birth is unknown. This isn’t unusual for the time as there were no requirements to record a birth. The closest we can come is the baptism record. If you are lucky the parish priest or clerk would note the date of birth within the baptism record.

Generally, you could assume the baptism took place within a month or two of birth but I have seen some where the child was a few years old at the time of their baptism.

I don’t believe this to be the case with James. In 2 of the 3 Censuses that he is recorded in his age is listed as 40 (1851[2]), and 50 (1861[3]). The third census, 1841[4] list his age as 30. In that census those over 15 had their ages rounded down in multiples of 5. So, he could be as old as 35. However, because the other 2 censuses didn’t do this I can be reasonably certain that he was born either in the later part of 1810 or early part of 1811.
James in No. 26 on the Robertson pedigree chart.

For the most part the Bricknells resided in Bledington, Gloucestershire, England. It is part of the area known as the Cotswolds. Home of the Cotswold Sheep. As a knitter and future sheep owner I am intrigued by the idea that my ancestors may have played a role in the development of this rare breed. And will admit that it has bumped them up the list of possible breeds I would consider owning. 

---

[1] "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JQZ4-JYS : 30 December 2014), James Bricknell, 20 Jan 1811; citing Worcester, England, reference ; FHL microfilm 328,844.

[2] "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SG27-SVL : 24 July 2016), James Bricknell, Bledington, Gloucestershire, England; citing Bledington, Gloucestershire, England, p. 3, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

[3] "England and Wales Census, 1861," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7GZ-YKN : 6 April 2016), James Bricknell, Bledington, Gloucestershire, England; from "1861 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.

[4] "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7MJ-4PD : 30 October 2015), James Bricknell, Bledington, Gloucestershire, England; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.