Devon Hollyers - NOT!

Maureen Selley, one of the Guild's leading members in Devon, sent me a burial record from 1846 for a Hannah Hollyer at Dunchideock, Devon, who had died at the Exeter workhouse aged 83. I knew at once this couldn't be right, as Hollyers rarely if ever turn up in Devon. However, Devon is the centre for the Hellyer surname and a little digging found a burial record for Hannah Hellier in the St Thomas registration district. The 1841 census also shows and elderly Hannah Hellyer at Dunchideock. Even 'original records' can contain transcription errors.