The perils of believing without double checking

I have been researching the TINGEY/TINGAY side of my family since 1999, sending for documentation where I could to prove my research. Checking the census records through the years since 1841. Spending hours going over fiche and micro films. And with help from others with the same name and from the same area, I was sure that I had the TINGAYs correct, back to the 1500s in Bedfordshire.

But, there was a small problem with my GGGGrandfather, Thomas TINGEY, born about 1794. The first time I found him was on the 1841 census, then 1851, 1861. And each time he said he was born in Stoke Ferry. However, I had been told, and believed, that he had been born in Wretton, Norfolk. And there was a Thomas, born in Wretton too. Just not my Thomas though! Last year came the wake up call that I had to concentrate on Stoke Ferry. Forget the rest. Research another family. And here I am. About to start on Thomas son of Cole TINGEY of Stoke Ferry. A door has opened. I just have not walked through it yet.

The moral of this story - check, check and check again. However much of a match you think you have, make sure in every way you can that it is right. And go with your instincts sometimes...