John Fynn's parents (or "Are we related to Henry Francis Fynn?")

(If it's in red and underlined then it's a link to more information)

Both my Father (Geoffrey Wilfred Fynn) and my Aunt Mary Mitchell (née Fynn) have always maintained that there was a 'South African connection' with Henry Francis Fynn. His family, the records suggest, came from Ireland and was a distinct unit in England from the start of the 19th century. So unless Henry Francis Fynn I (there were five) had a sibling related to John Fynn's parents... See Henry Francis Fynn  for more information on the HFF dynasty.

But on concrete research side of things I have looked into the baptism records of Cambridge and they show that John was married to ‘Sarah’. The I.G.I. (International Genealogy Index of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) records a marriage in Linton, Cambridge, on 2^nd March 1801 between a John Fynn and Sarah Cowling. John was born in Great Wilbraham, Cambridge on 14^th November 1779. His parents are shown as Robert and Mary Fynn of Great Wilbraham. But John's siblings were all baptised FENN. (See also FYNN/FINN/FENN later.) 

Sarah, John’s wife, was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Cowling. The name Cowling was liberally used in the next two generations. 

So now we have ascendants back as far as Great x 4 grandparents. 

Robert Fynn and Mary (nee Coldham) both lived in Great Wilbraham and there is nothing to suggest an Irish connection. There were plenty of Fynns in the area; especially in Suffolk. I do not know as yet where Robert was born. He does not appear on the I.G.I.  In the November 2007 issue of the Cambridge Family History Society's "The Journal" an article by Dr J.D. Pickles F.S.A. refers to The Cambridge University Calendar  in which servants of the Cambridge Colleges were published from 1796 to the 1950's. The 1802 edition lists a FYNN, Robert as a Porter at Corpus Christi.  Whilst we have no evidence I cannot see that this Robert Fynn could be anyone other than John "Porter" Fynn's father. 

We have gone a little further back in that Mary Fynn was born Mary Coldham of Richard and Mary (née Bell) Coldham, also of Great Wilbraham. 

BUT now see Deeds of Title for something that my co-conspirator (sorry - researcher)  Michael Williams has turned up; showing a Clerk, John Fynn, being involved in buying land adjoining Corpus Christi in 1485!!!!!!!!!!!

Go to Family Trees to download the tree on which I have placed a few Coldhams of Great Wilbraham for information's sake.  Follow the advice on that page to save 14 sheets of A4!

Go back to John 'Porter' Fynn  or use one of the buttons to the left.