Family Tree

I wonder who coined the phrase " family tree' because it does not seem to apply to the Hignell/Collins branch of the family.  A tree has distinct, individual branches--but I would not describe either the Hignell or the Collins's of Newport, Wales as distinct.  If anything, they were more like garden ivy than a tree, spreading branches all over the garden, and crowding out other plants.

My Great Great Great Grandparents were Henry Hignell and Mary Ann Collins.  One of the witnesses at their wedding was William Hignell.  According to the Welsh censuses of 1841, 51, 61, etc. William's wife was named Sarah.  Their daughter was born about 1842.  When I checked freebmd.co.uk for a marriage record, it just so happened that William Hignell married Sarah Collins.  In the 1841 census, their is a Susan Collins living with them who is noted to be William's sister in law.  

Since I found Mary Ann Collins's baptismal record at Goldcliff, and she does not have sisters named Susan or Sarah, I presume they were cousins.  All the same, it's surprising how closely related the two families were.  I'm a little surprised that Henry's brother John didn't also marry a Collins, but I think he preferred the Prosser ladies, even if Wife no. 2 was 11 years older than he.

On a side note, I found Henry and Mary Hignell, brother and sister, in the 1880 Monmouthshire directory.  She is described as "Sextoness" a job she held for over 20 years.  Just love the phrase 'sextoness'.