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Topics - dmbtmartin

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Westmorland / Linsey Weaving
« on: Sunday 23 October 16 22:41 BST (UK)  »
Dear all,

I was wondering if someone could assist with an explanation of what constituted linsey weaving?

I gather it was a cottage industry and the term itself seems peculiar to Cumbria. Some of my ancestors were linsey weavers in Kendal. If i put "linsey weaving" in the British Newspaper Archive it returns 18 articles all from the region.

If linsey means the same as Linsey-Woolsey then I understand it is a 'strong, coarse fabric with a linen or cotton warp and a woollen weft'. That seems to make sense. However, Linsey Weaving seems almost always to be mentioned in the same sentence as 'fancy and linsey' or 'waistcoat weaving' which feels somewhat at odds. Perhaps I am overthinking this!

Any help much appreciated!


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Travelling People / John Bowman c.1821-1863
« on: Monday 25 April 16 11:21 BST (UK)  »
Hi all,

while trying to find some evidence for an old family story (of my friend's) that his gt grandmother was descended from, as she is said to have put it, "gypsy folk", I came across one John Bowman who was born abt 1821 in Westmorland, and I then find him on the 1851 census in Kendal as a whitesmith, and in 1861 in Preston with the same trade. Was thinking whitesmith is probably a synonym for a tinker, and that he would be a good candidate for one of the "gypsy folk" alluded to.

I think he married one Agnes Inman in 1845 in Kendal, before leaving her and beginning a new family with one Alice Beckett in Preston, in about 1857.

There appear to be 2 John Bowmans born in 1821 in Kendal.

Just wondering if anyone with some experience could ascribe some likelihood to John Bowman being of gyspy stock, and, if so, whether they might have some further info, or at least nudge me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance, David. [Insert: smiley facey]

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Isle of Man / Atholl Square, Douglas?
« on: Sunday 24 April 16 23:17 BST (UK)  »
Hi there,

was just wondering if anyone knew where this was? Can't seem to find it on current maps. My 2xgt grandfather lived at No.2 Atholl Sq. according to 1871 census, and I was just trying to get a sense of the house and its environs.

Many thanks.

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