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Dear all,

I am currently researching the men who died in the Great War and whose names appear on the Tonbridge War Memorial. One of those names is: "Smarten J." I have been unable to find any trace of him through the usual routes - CWGC, army records, census returns, etc. In fact, there is very little evidence of any families or individuals with this surname.

Does anybody out there researching in Kent have any ideas or information relating to this name?

Thanks,

jds1949

I am currently helping to identify all of the 340+ men whose deaths in the Great War are commemorated on the Tonbridge War Memorial. One of those men is "Smarten J." He was listed on the original memorial under that name, and in the local paper of the time as "James Smarten" and he is on the current memorial as "Smarten J."

I can find absolutely no trace for this man. Nothing on CWGC; nothing on Soldiers who died in the Great War, nothing in the 1911 or 1901 census, no birth registration.

I have tried wildcard searches. I have tried "Smarden" and other variations.

HELP!

If there is anyone out there who has anything on this man, I'd be very grateful to hear it.

Thanks

jds1949

I am trying to find out more about the John Swarbreck who married Esther Wood on 29th Dec 1830 at St Peter's Leeds. The couple went on to have four children: Frances in 1831; Richard in 1835[d. 1837]; Ann in 1837 and Thomas in 1839 - all in Leeds. I have the records of their baptisms.

I have not found them in 1841. I know about their subsequent history.

Esther - described as a widow - married John Hargrave in 1842.

I can not find any death registration for John Swarbreck, but he presumably must have died between 1838 and 1842.

I think he may be the same John Swarbreck who was baptised on 18th October 1807 at Halifax, the son of Ralph and Frances Swarbreck - but I have no proof of this - other than the fact that Ralph and Frances were married in Leeds at St Peters and their first child was baptised there, and that John named his first child Frances.

If anyone can find either details of John Swarbreck's death or anything that definitely connects him to Ralph and Frances I would be very grateful.

jds1949

In about 1890 Thomas Swarbrick, then aged 15 or so, arrived in the United States. In 1905 he was living on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn with a wife, Alice, and a 3 years old daughter, also Alice. If anyone can supply details of their marriage, presumably between 1900 and 1902, I would be very grateful - especially if those details contained his parent's names.

I have the census information for the rest of his life [1910 US Federal - he died in 1914].

Thanks

jds1949

I am researching Thomas Swarbrick born about 1675 who was an church organ maker working in and around Warwickshire in the early 18th century. It has been suggested that he is connected to the Swarbrick family who were at Brailes from the 1590s until at least the 1680s; unfortunately there does not seem to be any recorded baptism that would fit. I have all of the records relating to this family from FamilySearch, but if anyone out there has any record of a Thomas Swarbrick born in Warwickshire between 1670 and 1680 I'd be glad to hear about it.

There was also a Henry Swarbrick who was the organist at Hereford Cathedral who was - reputedly - a nephew. Again, if anyone can make the connection I'd be grateful. [I already have the reference from the History of Hereford Cathedral which states the relationship - but offers no evidence.]

Thanks in advance,

jds1949