RootsChat.Com
Some Special Interests => Travelling People => Topic started by: suttontrust on Thursday 28 October 04 11:41 BST (UK)
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I'm tracing a friend's family history, and her great-grandmother appears to have been a Romany. I haven't got her full name yet, but she came from Cheshire. Has anyone got into Romany history? Any recommendations for how to pursue this?
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Hi suttontrust, ;D
have you had a look at this site? It had a fair bit of information on Travellers etc.
http://sca.lib.liv.ac.uk/collections/gypsy/links.htm
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Ive a copy of a book called a shepherds life and in it is these few paragraphs from the author who spent time in the villages of the wiltshire downs....The dark people of the village had a passion for eating hedgehogs.How healthy these people are is hardly known even to those who make a special study of these aliens,who,albeit aliens,are yet more native than any englishman in the land. They were so good at their common tricks that in the azzises courts at salisbury in around the 1840s rarely a gypsy came to the court. In a talk the author had with a gypsy,the gypsy had stated"you know what the books say, and we dont. But we know other things that are not in books,and that is what we have. Its ours,our own,and you cant know it".There three different types of dark people in the village area, and many dark people could not be identified as belonging to any one race.First the gypsy,rather short in stature,brown skinned with broad face and high cheekbones.Secondly the men and women of white skins and good features,who had round heads and were physically and mentally just as good as the best blue eyed people.The third type differed greatly from the first two.They were smallest in size and had narrow heads and long oval faces,and were very dark skinned,also having a hotter temper. The characters which distingush the ancient british or iberian race appear to predominate in persons of this type,but also as there was a great deal of mixed blood within these peoples, it was hard to distinguish at all times which people came from which race.....cheryle.f
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Thanks. I've resolved to read George Borrow again - "Romany Rye" and all that.
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Hi Suttontrust
I too have just discovered that an ancestor was 'a Romany Gypsy' and am not sure where really to begin with this as I dont have her maiden name or first name, just her married name.
I have joined the Romany & Traveller Family History Society and received my first correspondence from them yesterday and have to say that my first impressions weren't that great.. ??? the society has too few members to hold monthly meetings, but do hold one annual one around May time.. they produce journals 3 times a year (I thought perhaps I would have received one upon joining, but no such luck yet)
Sorry i sound a bit moany, but I guess I was a bit disappointed :(
Time will tell as to whether it's worth being a member or not - and I'll keep you posted
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Thanks, I considered joining that society myself. But unless one gets access to records it can't be worth it. I'm looking for a Jane Williams, an extremely common name. I know where she claimed to have been born, and when, and I know who she "married" but can't find any trace of the marriage. They also disappear from the 81 census, only to reappear settled in the 91. If you discover that there's a way of asking questions and searching records I'd be glad to chip in for the cost of your membership.
Ann
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suttontrust
i wouldnt dream of asking you to chip in with membership, but thank you for the kind offer ;) I
f i find any info I am more than happy to share it with anybody who asks... i have had lots of help from this site and want to do my bit too..
So if I get any info I'll let you know :)
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Have you tried?
http://www.thegalloper.com
This is an interesting and varied site and you might get lucky!
Eileen
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Thanks, it's a fascinating site. Can't find my quarries, though.
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WAHOOOooooo
I found my g g grandparents - its seems that my g g grandfather JOHN TWYMAN died as a result of being bombed during WW2 (august 1943) while in his bed in Ramsgate. He is remembered on the CWGC site under civilian deaths. It also names his wife as Thrisa Twyman - Who is rumoured to be my gypsy ancestor - so at last a link to follow and the correct spelling of her first (rather unsual I thought) christian name...
dont you just love it when this happens???
;D ;D ;D
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Jax
I have some (albeit rather distant) links to Kent DAISYs in my "travelling" tree:
William DAISY m Maria TODD etc...............
Am particularly interested in the banns read for a William DAISY 1905 ............... whereby no marriage found
Casalguidi
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hiya :D
hay we may have a link here - i am aware of a william daisy in my tree and am currently in contact with a lady called Janet Todd who also has connections. I am at work at the moment, so cant look at all my information, but keep in touch - i am sure we will have some information to share
jax
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Hi me again
I found the following in an email from a contact:
"Maria TODD=William Daisy 20 December 1856, sittingbourne. I have a contact who connects to the Todds via BERRY & she has a marriage of Catherine BERRY to John DAISEY 18 August 1862 also sittingbourne. John & William most probably being brothers both have a father JOHN. this latter couple baptised two of their children in Ramsgate.
There is another William Daisey who established the Daisey family in Ramsgate. there are indications that he may be the son of either one or other of these two couples but as yet we have not been able to prove this."
This information is from a lady in Kent whom I am in contact with.. let me know if you would like to contact her and I'll email her to check its ok...
Also, I would be grateful of any information of your connections.
Look forward to hearing from you :)
jax
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Hi Jax
Will send you a PM about the TODD DAISEY BERRY and related travelling families
Casalguidi
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I have got to say that I am a member of the Romany & Travelers FHS and my £8.00 a year is well spent.
Unlike other family history societies we are a small and friendly group that are tracing our roots and we are over a wide area.
The society like all others are run by VOLUNTEERS who are not paid for the work they do they manage to hold 4-5 open days a year. One is this Saturday 10th June at Bedford and the only one they charge for during the year as there are two speakers, music and lunch also all this for only £15 for members.
The next one will be in Exeter later on in the year were they will have the research and this is also a day to catch up with old friends because that is what we have all become and Janet Keet-Black and the committee have done a wonderful job.
If any of you think you can do better I am sure she would please to receive articles for the journal about your Gypsy ancestors.
Sorry about the rant by I have been tracing my Gypsy families for over 10 years and have appreciated all the help I have received from the RTFHS.
Fifi >:(