The Gothard Family

My Gothard connection is through my Great Great Great Grandmother - Mary Gothard b. 1847, who married my Gt Gt Gt Grandfather James Yarrow b. 1846, in St. Peter's Church, Wilburton, Cambridgeshire on the 10th November 1868. It is believed by various family members that the family originally came from Switzerland and emigrated to this country sometime during the 1800's, the name originally being spelt something like Go-Therd - perhaps originating from a trade name for Goat Herding? A common variant of this name is spelt 'Gotherd'.

pictured: Wilburton parish church and village sign... on the opposite side of the road is the village cemetery.

Mary was the daughter of William Gothard b. 1816, and his wife Sarah Hawkins b. 1820. William and Sarah had at least eight children - as listed below.

1. Hannah Gothard b.1841.
2. Richard Gothard b. 1843 - married a Louisa b. 1846 d. 1885 and had eight children.
3. Mary Gothard b. 1847, d. 1931 - my Gt Gt Gt Grandmother.
4. Jane Gothard b. 1849 - may have married a Mr. Ernest Crabb?
5. Elizabeth Gothard b. 1851
6. Sarah Gothard b. 1856
7. Joseph Gothard b. 1858 - married a Phoebe b. 1858. and had at least two children.
8. Annie Maria Gothard b. 1863.

During the 1851 census of Witcham, Cambridgeshire, the family appears living at 'Slade', Witcham. By the time of the 1881 census they have moved to Wilburton and are living at '20 Pence Road' - only William, Sarah and their daughter Annie are living in this household. William and Sarah's two sons - Richard and Joseph are both living in the village with their own families.

Sarah Gothard (neé Hawkins) was buried on 6th January 1882, aged 62 in the Cemetery in Wilburton, Cambridgeshire. I don't know what happened to William Gothard - nor where he was buried as the currently available Church records only go up to 1885.

Connected families include:

• Hawkins of Witcham and Witchford, Cambridgeshire.
• Yarrow of Little Thetford, Wilburton and Stretham, Cambridgeshire.

My Gothard Ancestors

Gt Gt Gt Gtandparents: Mary Gothard (1847-1931) & James Yarrow (1846-1930)

Gt Gt Gt Gt Grandparents: William Gothard (1816-?) & Sarah Hawkins (1820-1882)

5xGt Gtandparents: Richard Gothard & Ann Thorne?

Littleport...

At the same time another Gothard family was living in Littleport but I haven't yet found any connection to it. The furthest back that a descendent has got back on this particular branch is to 1782. A James Gothard b.1782, Miller of Littleport, Cambridgeshire married a Hannah Francis at Haddenham on 12th October 1801. They had at least five children. Descendents of this branch include an actor - William Gothard b.1830 and a Royal Photographer - Warner Gothard b.1835. Please contact me if you are able to share any information on this family.

Last updated: 28 March 1999

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