The Saga of the Search

Ann was pregnant? Before she was married? How do we know?

Well, next to Alfred and Ann’s grave markers in the Willard Cemetery is the tombstone of J. N. Barker.

Grave marker of John Newman Barker, Willard City Cemetery, Willard, Box Elder, Utah.

As you can see, the inscription states that John (his full name is on the other side of the tombstone) was the son of Alfred Great and Ann Morris Barker. Conducting a search at FamilySearch.org in Historical Records for John Newman Barker (life event: birth; birthplace: Coventry; year: 1827), brings us to this page:

At the bottom of the column it says “source film number,” meaning this information came from an extracted record stored on a microfilm. But there is no way to click on the film number to see the source of the extracted record (are you reading this, I.T. guys at FamilySearch…). Thankfully, overcoming great obstacles is what saga seekers do best. So, copy the film number, go to FamilySearch catalog and under “Search” click the “Film Number” option and paste in the film number.

Sure enough. This film contains a bishop’s transcript for Holy Trinity parish in Coventry for the year John Newman was baptized. Shazam! As much fun as it would be to drive back to the Salt Lake City Family History Library, let's see if BYU has the film. Go to lib.byu.edu/sites/familyhistory, click on “FHL Films and Fiche at BYU”.

Paste in the film number and find that BYU has a copy. Yeah!
And this is what was on microfilm 502270:

Church of England, John Barker baptism, 20 November 1827, Coventry, Warwickshire bishop’s transcript for Holy Trinity Parish, FHL microfilm 0502211

Look at all the GLORIOUS information found on this original record – baptismal date, parent’s names, abode, profession and vicar. I love the Church of England for requiring registration of infant baptisms  – and in preprinted books!!

How does this record lead us back to Ann’s predicament on the day of her marriage?