Boswell Family

[Melanie Boswell]

I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice on tracing my husband's Boswell family?   

It's a bit of a long story, but will keep it as short as possible!   I know that they were a travelling family, as my father-in-law spent his first 10 years travelling round the Surrey/Kent area living in a caravan and then went to live with his grandmother Boswell in a house.

My father-in-law does not remember his father who was called Henry/Harry Boswell.  Henry left the family when my father-in-law was 6 months old.

The only information I have on Henry Boswell is from his marriage certificate - he married Anne McKenna on 31 May 1937 at St Albans Register Office.  His occupation was Florist and age given was 35.  It's quite difficult to trace his birth as there are so many Henry/Harry Boswells registered and I have no idea where he was born.

His father's name was Thomas Boswell and occupation was Slaughterman.  I believe that Thomas had the following children:  Betty, Sue, Bill and a Thomas Mark E Boswell - who died in 2000 in Faversham, Kent.  Thomas Mark E Boswell's birth date according to the death register is 27 March 1909 - the problem I have is that I cannot find his birth registered for that year. 

Anyone got any ideas to what I could try next?

[casalguidi]

Hi Melanie

Who was father in law's grandmother BOSWELL?  Do you have any name, address, date and/or place of death for her?

The birthplace of Thomas Mark should be on his death certificate but, of course, it will only be as accurate as known by the person who registered the death.

Who were the witnesses to Henry's marriage - were any of those his relatives?

Casalguidi

[casalguidi]

There is this odd baptism entry at Ash next Ridley in Kent of a Susan BOSWELL with a father Thomas but whether there is any connection or not

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01eo/

Have also noticed a Susan K BOSWELL married a Samuel BEANEY in the Faversham area ................. looks like she possibly died 1994 Chatham area and though her death registration says born June 1911 I wonder if she looks a possible for the Susan K BOSWELL baptised (as above)?  Does that ring any bells

There is also a William BOSWELL married a Charlotte HARRIS in the Faversham area and a Betty BOSWELL married a George HARRIS in Kent - would there be any connections there?

Casalguidi

[An65]

suggest you contact Bob Dawson of The Romany and Traveller Family History Society, he wrote a book about the Boswells and tried to connect their family tree. Most likely he would know something.

his website is here:

http://www.robertdawson.co.uk/index.html

[An65]

p.s I should add, that the Boswells are one of the largest Romany clans, so it might take a bit of working out, unless he has info on your particular branch of the family. But I found him to be a very helpful character when I wrote to him (many years ago now).

[Melanie Boswell]

Thanks very much for your suggestions - I'm going to see my father-in-law tomorrow, so will see if any of the marriages listed for the Boswells ring any bells with him.

My father-in-law's Boswell family did not have much to do with him, I've asked many times if he remembers his grandmother Boswell's name and he doesn't know.  His father Henry went on to have a second family, which were considered to be the only family he had.

The witnesses to the marriage of Henry and Anne do not seem to be relations - they were E C Clerkson and F Dudley Hood.

[cheshiremog]

Hi Melanie
A gipsy king named Dan Boswell is buried in our local churchyard at Selston St Helens, Nottinghamshire.  1737-1827 Just thought you might be interested.
I think the MI reads

I've lodged in many a town
I've travelled many a year
But death at length has brought me down
To ? my last lodging here

[cheshiremog]

I have also just discovered that many gypsies brought their children to Selston Church after Dan Boswell died to have them christened in a church where a gypsy king was buried.

[cheshiremog]

Melanie
Are you out there or have you gone roamin' ?