Book - "Recollections of Old Taunton"

[Les de B]

Just wondering if any RootsChatters have a copy of the book "Recollections of Old Taunton" by E F Goldsworthy? Goldsworthy lived in Taunton around the 1820's, and revisited the town around the 1860's. The book is based on his memories and the comparison of the two time periods.

I'm sure I read this book on-line many years ago, but can only find it being advertised for sale now. I thought it made fascinating reading then, but more so now, as I now know my ancestors were living there in the 1820's.

I did find a 10 year old posting on another site indicating that person had the book, and was willing to look up surnames of those Taunton residents that were mentioned in the book. Unfortunately, the details of that person are no longer current, and I can't contact him.

I was hoping if somebody does have a copy, they might be able to look up some names/details from that book - please? I've tried a few local libraries without success, however, as I live in Australia, I wasn't too confident.

Les

[Sue15]

Hello
Have you tried Somerset Archives -www.somerset.gov.uk/archives
They might have such a book although they may charge for look ups

Also I note there is a copy on Amazon- 7.50 plus p&p not a bad price for secondhand.
www.amazon.co.uk

Hope this helps

Sue

[Les de B]

Thanks for the advice, Sue.

I tried the Somerset Archives without success, however, during that inquiry I found something else on an ancestor I was unaware of, so I did find something on the "re-bound".

Regarding the book being available to buy - that's my last option. I've seen the book adverstised a number of times for around that price you quoted of UK 7 pounds 50, plus postage which to Australia is around the UK 7 pounds.

I was just hoping that somebody may have the book to save the expense of buying it, particularly, if there isn't anything in the book which will help me. Then again, I've bought plenty of BDM Certificates which were the wrong ones for 7 pounds 

I'll keep this posting going for little longer (with fingers crossed) to see if anything transpires.

Les

[liverpool annie]

Hi Les !

This is an old post ... but I wonder if the email still works ?? 

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/Bristol_and_Somerset/1998-08/0901974894

Annie 

[Les de B]

Hi Annie

Would you believe I just sent an email to that address about 1 minute before I read your reply. It hasn't "bounced" back yet in the last couple of minutes, so here's hoping.

Les

PS: Just found the 1998 email address being used in 2006 - though I also found comments inidcating replies from addressee may take some time.

[Sue15]

Hello
Try to this link- these is a catalogue search for books in libraries in the Taunton and Bath area. They have the book you are looking for. The link should tell you how to get in touch


http://www.librarieswest.org.uk/02_Catalogue/02_001_Search.aspx

all the best

Sue

[Les de B]

Thanks for your help Sue. There are a number of copies of "Recollections of Old Taunton" available at libraires on the link you supplied, however, they are either to be borrowed or read at the library.

Unfortunately, as I live in Australia neither of those options are open to me. I will have to wait a little longer to see if I get a reply from the lady I mentioned in a previous reply on this posting. If she doesn't, I will buy the book, and have it shipped to me from the UK.

Les

[Sue15]

Thats a shame- I thought the library may have been willing to do some look ups for you but I guess they probably charge their time anyway.
I live in Germany so cannot offer to do any lookups- hopefully you will get some help soon
All the best
Sue

[Les de B]

As I coudn't find anybody who owned a copy of the book, I finally bought a copy from England, and had it mailed to me.

Managed to find 2 ancestors. There was very little detail on them, however, the author of the book mentioned that at one stage he owned a portrait of one of the ancestors, and gave the artisit's name. Taking a "million to one shot" I googled the artist's name, and found not only a copy of the portriat in a musuem website but a full history of the subject's family, the majority of which I never knew.

Anyway, I've offered to look up other residents of Taunton for other RootChatters on a new posting 

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,310389.0.html

Hope I can give them as much success as I had

Les