Hi I have a list of some Hounsell wills proved in Dorset probate courts before about 1800 which I can post to the list if it would be of interest Regards Maureen Bowler Caerphilly, South Wales

I've been reading the recent postings about Dorset Hounsells with much interest - great effort. However, my Hounsells are from Sussex and my earliest record is that of Henry Hounsell born about 1775. I don't know where he was born, but he married Elizabeth Watson in Whatlington Sussex. Could anyone link into the Sussex Hounsells? Sue White New Zealand

Hi, There is a list of some Hounsell (and variants) Wills/Admons. Hope they will be of interest.

The above information is taken from British Record Series Vol 22 These 2 ecclesiastical probate courts continued to prove wills/grant adminstrations up until 1857 (I don't have a list of the later ones) All these are held at Dorset Record Office and have also been filmed by the LDS and can be ordered for viewing at their Family History Centres There were also some smaller courts (peculiars) that could prove wills in Dorset up until the same date and some Dorset wills may have been proved in London at the PCC (Prerogative Court of Canterbury) - usually wealthier folk or those that died abroad e.g. servicemen. After 1858, there are annual national indexes of wills& admons proved in England & Wales Regards Maureen Caerphilly, South Wales

Hello all, I spent the day today at the National Library in Wellington. Didn't get any time to use the newspapers, sorry. How ever I now have transcripts of all the Hounsell's on the 1851 census for Dorset, I only had time to photo copy the Hounsell's for Bridport for 1891, I hope to get back down and transcribe all of Dorset 1891 but it takes for ever. I started at 9am this morning and finished the 1851 by 12.30, then had to, time is so cruel. So if you would like me to lookup names I will be happy to but if you can wait, over the weekend if I have time I will put them all into a database then will post them on the list. I will get round to doing it eventually. I also have the Hounsell's for Jersey 1851 and 71 Kind regards Sue Greene.

Hello Sue - I can't help you really - but in case you haven't already found this one, there was a William OWNSEL baptised in 1575 at East Grinstead. And in 1652 Robert son of Robert was born at Brighton. There seem to have been quite a few Williams - e.g.William b1793 at Battle, son of William and Ann, and William & Sarah at Sidlesham who had son Jacob in 1773. Good luck, Karen

Thanks Karen, I appreciate any help given. While I can't tap into those names yet, someday I might be able to. Sue White

Don't know if these were ever connected to HOUNSELLS: Petrus Anselmus 1192 SSX John Auncel 1327 SSX Peter Hansell c1555 father of Wm b1582 Ripe, SSX Peter Hansell 1626 Hellingly SSX s/o John What do others think about a possible connection between the names HANSELL & HOUNSELL? Sometimes HANSELL is spelt HANDSELL e.g Edward Handsell and Elizabeth had son John 1706 @ Shrivenham, Berkshire. HANDSELL could come from HANSELL or HOUNDSELL (or something esle altogether, of course). Personally, I go for HANSELL/ANSELL being from Anselmus and HOUNSELL being from Houndshill - but am not at all sure. HOUNSELL seems to be predominantly a Dorset name, whereas HANSELL/ANSELL is all over the place. Karen

Hi all, Here are some Hounsell's from the Dorset Poll books 1807 HOUNSELL Edmund Nettlecombe Nettlecombe HOUNSELL Job Bradpole Bradpole HOUNSELL John Bradpole Bridport HOUNSELL Robert Bradpole Bradpole HOUNSELL Thomas Bridport Bridport HOUNSELL Thomas Stockland Stockland North HOUNSELL William Bridport Bridport Kind regards Sue Greene

Hi Sue, Thanks for posting some Hounsells from the Dorset Poll books 1807 I can identify a couple of them
HOUNSELL Job - Bradpole - Bradpole
HOUNSELL Robert - Bradpole - Bradpole
These were two brothers who were baptised in Powerstock and then moved with their parents Robert and Susannah Hounsell to Bridport c 1750 and later to Bradpole. They were left property in Bradpole by their father Robert Snr who was a sailcloth weaver in his will (1784). Job was buried in Bradpole in 1813 age 74 and Robert in Bridport in 1834 age 92 Regards Maureen Bowler Caerphilly, South Wales

Evening all
Below is a list of Hounsell's on the 1891 census for Dorset hope you find some one belonging to you. I have the 1851 to come then the 1871 for all Dorset, will do them as I get time. Kind regards Sue.
Census Place 1891 Dorset

From - Sue Greene

Morning all,

Below is the index of Hounsell's on the 1851 census for Dorset. Hope you find some of your family Kind regards Sue Greene