Surnames Hardy & Lee // Birmingham and Warwickshire

[erinrosalina]

Hi, I have a great great grandfather who told my grandad that he lived on the Black Patch in Smethwick. His name was George Hardy, and I have heard that this was a common gypsy name. His wife had a mother called Eliza Lee, which I thought may also have some gypsy lineage as I also know that Lee is a common gypsy surname. Can anyone help me to find out if it is possible that any of my ancestors have gypsy heritage?

[heywood]

For information, here is first enquiry with some family details

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=783547

[Darnity]

Ted Rudge is the person who knows lots about the families who lived on the Black Patch - try googling Ted Rudge and Black Patch.

Take a look at the RTFHS website www.rtfhs.org.uk and also see if your local library has a copy of My Ancestors were Gypsies, published by the Society of Genealogists, and have a read of that.