RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Sussex => England => Sussex Lookup Requests => Topic started by: lolmac3 on Saturday 24 January 09 06:09 GMT (UK)
-
Hi
I am trying to find the birth record or any info on my great great grand mother Lydia (Liddy) Gowan.
She was born in Battle in 1807, and I know her father was a preacher later in life in Ewell, Surrey but that is all I know about her.
Any info on siblings, parents anything will be greatly appreciated.
many thanks
Lorraine
-
Lorraine, I've looked high & low for this family with absolutely no luck :(
There is a directory of vicars, but for the life of me I can't remember the name, but I'm sure someone will jump in. If you could establish her father's name & the dates he was in Ewell that might be a start. How do you know she was born in Battle? It's not on the IGI :-\ Who & when did she marry, do you know?
jane
-
Just to add to Jane's message, I had a look too and couldn't find anything either. I checked for a marriage for Lydia on the Sussex Marriage Index and also the Surrey Marriage Index but nothing came up on either. In fact the only marriages I could find in Sussex were for Gowen, a Sarah in Battle 1803.
Kerry
-
Kerry, can you think of that vicars directory? I think it begins with a 'C'.
I wonder if this is her in 1851?
Mountfield Ssx, Orchard Wood Cottage. HO107/1636/287/26
William Burgess 50 ag lab b. Battle
Lydia Burgess 43 ditto
And in 1841 although the age is seriously out of whack
Battle HO107/1105/bk 7/33/16
William Burgess 35 ag lab
Lydia 25
Elizabeth 15
Mary 12
All born Ssx,
jane
-
Hi Jane
No, I've even googled but can't find anything likely!
That could be her.
Kerry
-
Unfortunately Jane just found on the Sussex MI marriage for William Burgess to Lydia Hode at Penhurst in 1826 so looks like that's not her after all. :'(
Kerry
-
NUTS
-
Crockfords Clerical Directory but it does not cover that early. Her father may have gone to Oxford or Cambridge but with just a surname....
Andrea
-
Thanks, Andrea. I wouldn't have been able to sleep had you not told me ;D
jane
-
Lolmac3
Who did she marry? Have you given us her maiden name or her married name?
Andrea
-
Good point, Andrea. We'll have to wait for a reply from Lorraine,
jane
-
Hi Jane & Kerry
Thanks for trying. Lydia married James Matthews though I have no info on the marriage but this isn't unusual within travellers as sometimes they didn't actually marry just became life partners!
On the 1851 census I have Lydia & James this is where I found her place of birth from. I was trying to attach a copy for you to look at but I don;t know how to do it on here ::)
I have all the info on the children and their children, I also can go back to James Grand parents but I can't find anything on where Lydia came from or anything about her parents.
Thanks again
Lorraine
-
Seems a bit of a mystery, Lorraine ??? Also seems odd that Lydia with a father who's a vicar, should marry a traveller :-\
jane
-
Hi there
Just had a look at the 1851 census for Lydia on which it staes she was 40 years old - making a birth date of 1811 not 1807 as stated?
As she has children aged 12, she should be on the 1841 census as well.
Her residence in 1851 is Iping, parish of Midhurst, but it does state she was born in Battle, Sussex. Her first child was born in Sussesx, but the other 3 were born in Surrey - all four in different places which suggests a travelling family, although her husband does not have an occupation listed.
Chris
-
Hi Chris & Jane
Chris interested to hear they had 12 children as I only have 7, can you give me the rest of the info or where to find it please. I will need to look at my notes to see where Lydia's birthdate of 1807 came from but nothing is set in stone on these things ::)
James Matthews was the great Chewbacca Matthews champion bare knuckle fighter. According to a family poem Lydia met James when the fair came to Ewell and that as soon as she saw him she knew they would marry, even though she was a latin scholar and her father was a preacher.
many many thanks again
Lorraine
-
Sorry Chris just read your post again you didn't say 12 children ;D must be tired !!!
Lorraine
-
Lorraine,
Do you know the branch of the Church in which Lydia's father preached?
I guess it wasn't the CoE because the surname "Gowan" returns no hits in the clergy database.
http://eagle.cch.kcl.ac.uk:8080/cce/index.html
If her father was nonconformist you might have trouble finding Lydia's baptism in Anglican registers. There are records of nonconformist baptisms, but they aren't always location-specific.
Stovepipe
-
Stovepipe
That must be an incomplete list of Clergy
My wife has two EASTWOOD ancestors who were both clergy during the early and mid 1800's, but niether of them are included in that list on the website you gave. They both went to Cambridge and are included in their lists?
Chris in 1066
-
Thanks, Chris - it's useful to know that the database isn't comprehensive.
Cheers,
Stovepipe
-
Hi Stovepipe
Thanks for the database always useful to have, my great grand father was a vicar in ringwood, I would say in the early 1930's I believe from my mother that he took over from his brother. Is there a recent database somewhere to look for this?
I don't know which religion Lydia's father preached for, in fact I am up against a complete wall on this one!
Many thanks
Lorraine
-
What name are you looking for in Ringwood? I have a copy of Crockfords for 1865 and also 1951 in book form and also there are CDs for 1932 which can be bought from Archive Books - if they are still going. Most big libraries have copies.
Our family vicars were not on that web site either - does it stop when Crockfords starts? Could not see any names after 1830s or so.
Andrea
-
Hi all
I was out last night, so missed all of this frantic activity. Crockfords - I knew it was something like that ::)
Have checked the Sussex Marriage Index for James Matthews but nothing. But as Lorraine says traveller couples often didn't marry, I have some myself. But at least neither Lydia or James are on the index so didn't marry anyone else. :D
Kerry
-
Hi
No Lydia & James where together until they died, Lydia in 1862 in Windsor with the fever, and James in Farnborough hants in 1890 from old age!
The surname I am looking for who was the clergy in ringwood in Viney, first name William, but as I said his brother was also a vicar do any Viney will be useful!
Many thanks
Lorraine
-
No William Viney in either 1932 or 1951 Crockfords
Two in Australia in 1951. Errol Jack Viney and Stafford Stanley Viney
Otherwise just Hallen Viney who is at a church in Marylebone.
Andrea
-
Hi andrea
Thanks for looking, I couldn't find anything either, though my mum said she definately went to the vicarage in the holidays ;D
Lorraine
-
Maybe they were nonconformist?
Andrea
-
I think Lydia's father was, but I think my Grand dad wasn't as he lived in the vicarage, very confusing ???
Lorraine
-
Hi Lorraine and Jane
Interested to see these posts about Lydia Gowan. I am doing some research for a friend and Lydia and James Matthews are her 3 x great-grandparents through their youngest son Joseph (Harelip) Matthews. You are correct about them being travelling families. James (Chewbacca) Matthews was a Prize-Fighter. Joseph was a Steam Roundabout Proprietor.
We have found a lot of information from a book " Fairfield Folk" A History of the British Fairground and its People by Frances Brown (Also a descendant). You probably got the date 1807 from there as we did too. Ewell church website has a list of rectors but no Gowan? Baptisms in Battle taken from the online parish clerk has no Gowans but does have some Gowers?
Having extracted information from the book we are now looking at census returns etc but we have not been able to find James's parents or grandparents so would be interested in any information you could give us on them?
Happy Hunting
Jenny
-
Hi Jenny
Interesting to read your post.
I can help you with all that information, I have been doing the Matthews family tree for 12 years now and can go back to early 1700's.
Your friend must be on my family tree as I have several of Harelips decendants helping me (I am a decendant of Harelips brother Chorley) I know Francis Brown she is my 3rd cousin once removed !
Anyway let me know where your friend fits into my tree (there's over 1000 people on it now) if you prefer to email me my address is (*)
Look forward to hearing from you.
Lorraine
(*) Moderator Comment: e-mail removed in accordance with RootsChat policy,
to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility.
See Help-Page: http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php
-
Hi Lorraine
Having just spoken to my friend was just going to reply to you and found that the moderator has removed your email address. I made an mistake - my friend's grandmother was Amy Matthews born 1883, youngest daughter of Redshirt
I have emailed what I hope is the correst email address from memory. My address is aqua (at) ducks 27. fs net . co . uk all lower case and no gaps!
Best wishes
Jenny
-
just answered you Jenny ;D
-
Just stumbled across this thread whilst googling "Lydia Gowan". Lydia and James/ Chewbacca/ Jemmy were my 4 x great grandparents. My line goes down through their eldest son James (Jemmy) Matthews and Famebridge (surname unknown), through their daughter Mary Ann Matthews who married John Smith, through their daughter Lydia Smith who married Francis William (Frank) Townsend (my great gran and grandad) through to their daughter Eileen Lydia Townsend, my grannie. I was wondering if anyone has come across Famebridge and has any idea of her surname. All I know is that she was born in Ballscross/ Petworth, Sussex in or around 1831 and died 1913 Hambledon District aged 82.
Also does anyone know who Amy Matthews, daughter of William "Redshirt" and Mary Ann Matthews, married. All I know was that he was killed around 1915.
It would be great to be able to tie up some loose ends, and I'm afraid there are a few! ???
Many thanks, Vicky
-
Hi Vicky
Thanks for your post! ;D guess that makes us distant cousins ;D ;D
All I had on the family tree was Jemmy marrying a 'famebridge' and them having a child, though I had no name for that child, so you have opened up a while new avenue on the family tree!! thank you.
As I said on a previous post I have been doing the Matthews family tree for 12 years now and there are over 1600 people on it!
If you could let me know how you fit in (you didnt mentioned your parents, only your granny) that would be great, or any aunts uncles cousins anything you have! as I said before I haven't got this line. :o
In return I will tie your loose ends up for you! Amy Matthews married Henry Turner and they had 7 children, Henry, ada, Maggie, May, Joey, Mary & Patience. I have Henry & Joey's decendants but not the girls, however I have just made contact with May's daughter who is sending me all the information on the rest so I will keep you posted.
Many thanks again
Lorraine
-
Hi Lorraine. Thanks ever so much for your reply. I added that info on Amy to my tree. Glad to have tied up that loose end!! Cheers for that.
I'll elaborate on my line but the later family I'll PM privately if that's OK. Plus there's a few bits and pieces you might like for your collection such as the copy of the birth/ baptism certificate for Jemmy and Famebridges daughter Mary Ann which was made in 1926. I believe there is a protocol for PM-ing privately isn't there?
Anyway, here goes. I think the best way to do it will be generation by generation, so I'll start with Jemmy and Famebridges' children that I've found so far. There may well be more but the unusual name "Famebridge" has caused a few problems in transcribing as you can imagine. Its been entered as Fanbridge and Phoebe, to name a couple.
Their children were:-
Mary Ann baptised 1 June 1853 Shere, Surrey (I have the copy of the record). If you have got a copy of "Fairfield Folk" Mary Ann is the child who was born to James (a chairbender) and Famebridge. Her name wasn't mentioned in the book.
Eliza born about 1870/1876 Knapp Hill, Surrey. She married Leonard Davis 2nd July 1898 St Nicholas, Guildford. They settled in Alton, Hants. When she died in 1960 her funeral procession was the biggest ever seen in the area. I've got the photos and its an incredible sight. Can see my great grannie and grandad in the procession. Maybe some of your family were there too. I've got a transcript of the newspaper article with lots of names on.
Matilda born about 1877 baptised 1 June 1879 Thursley, Surrey (abode Ditchland) married Arthur Hedges 23 March 1901 St Nicholas, Guildford.
William born about 1874 Ash, Surrey.
Lydia born about 1871 Goudhurst, Kent died 1906 Hambledon District, Surrey aged 36.
These are Jemmy and Famebridge's children thus far. I imagine all that country air must have been good for them as Famebridge was nearly 50 when some of her children were born!!
I'm going to break off now and take the dogs out but I'll be back with another installment in a bit!
Vicky
-
Hi Vicky and Lorraine
Interested to see more on this family which I will pass on to Amy's granddaughter who is sending you information Lorraine about her branch of the family.
Just to add to the record. Lydia Gowan, according to the 1851 census was born 1811 in Battle Sussex. I have just found in the 1841 census a John Gowen aged 75 living in Dallington, Sussex, District Battle. He was of Independent means (hence her may have been a preacher?). Ages in the 1841 census are to the nearest 5 years. He was born in Sussex. Quite often someone born in a village would put themselves down on the census as being born in the nearest town so quite likely that Lydia was baptised at Dallington. Dallington parish registers are at the East Sussex Record Office at Lewes. The records for this period are not on the IGI nor have they been added to the online parish clerk's website yet. Therefore what is needed is a visit to the RO.
Research at the RO could also follow James (Chewbaccy) Matthews family back in Chiddingly where he was baptised on 23rd June 1811 son of John and James Matthews (born 19th June 1811) Again earlier records for this parish are not on the IGI or OPC.
Happy hunting
Jenny
-
Hi Vicky
Do you have Jemmy and his family on the 1871 Census? They are indexed under Mathey! As follows
Hawker Wood Vale No 2
Camberwell, Surrey
Jane (James) 35
Phenbridge 35
Mary A 12
Job 10
Marya 8 (Maria)
John 6
Louisa 3
Phebe 2 (Phoebe)
Lydia 2 (1) (2 is crossed out and replaced with 1)
Eliza 2 months
As Indexed - in brackets what it actually says!
If you look at the original the name is Mathews! Father's occupation Hawker born in Huddersfield Yorkshire? Nextdoor are a Charles and Mary Mathews
Hope this helps
Jenny
-
Hi Lorraine, hi Jenny.
Back from a pleasant walk with the dog.
Terrific to get so much input. Its much appreciated.
I'll try to attach Mary Ann Matthews baptism certificate with this post. As I said in my earlier post she was the child of James (Jemmy) and Famebridge Matthews (James being the son of Chewbacca) and all the details are in Fairfield Folk except Mary Anns name. Came across it clearing my grannie and grandads house in November.
Back to my line!
Mary Ann Matthews (details above) married John Smith 22 July 1872 Worplesdon, Surrey. (He was born circa 1852 Sussex). They had 4 children that I know of so far-
Lydia (my great gran) born 21 Nov 1889 Martinstown, Maiden Newton, Dorset. She married my great grandad Francis William Townsend (another showman/ travelling family originally from Oxfordshire) 14th February 1912 at Weymouth Registry Office. Great grandad was born 30 May 1888 Taunton, Somerset and died 16 Feb 1972 Chickerell, Weymouth (just after their diamond wedding anniversary) aged 83. Great gran died Christmas Day 1986 at home in Chickerell aged 97. I have individual photos of them on their wedding day and great gran looks stunning. Unfortunately they are too big to scan. Somewhere someone must have a picture of them together on their wedding day but so far it has eluded us. My cousin Kay Townsend has written books on the family, and one of them gives a really good insight into life living in a vardo (where the blankets would be covered in frost in the winter and too hot to sleep in during the summer!) and what it was like travelling around with their fairground.
Next child of John and Mary Ann Smith nee Matthews was Mary Ann Smith born about 1879 Woking, Surrey. She died 18th May 1902 Poole District aged 27, 9 days after giving birth to my great uncle Joe. Mary Ann fell in love with her cousin, a Matthews, but we don't know which one. They wanted to get married but her father forbade her (apparently there was some sort of family feud going on) and great uncle Joe was born as a result of this union. He was christened Joseph Matthew Smith, Matthew after his fathers surname. Uncle Joe died 19th July 1991 Weymouth aged 89. He never married, and after his mothers death he was cared for by his grannie. When his grannie died he was looked after by my great gran and grandad Frank and Lydia, and after great gran died he lived with my grannie and grandad. A lovely man who always wore jeans with bicycle clips round the legs, and he cycled the few miles to great gran and grandads grave nearly everyday to clip the grass with a pair of scissors.
John and Mary Ann also had a son Joseph Smith born 1883 Farnham, Surrey baptised 25 Feb 1885 Farncombe, Surrey. He died in 1904 of peritonitus aged 22. He is buried Weymouth Avenue Cemetery, Dorchester but I have never been able to find his grave.
Their 4th child William (Bill) Smith was born 1875 Knaphill and that's all I know about him.
The family were living in Branksome, Dorset for the 1901 Census, and Sampford Peverell, Somerset in 1911.
John Smith died in 1909 aged 54 and is buried in Yeovil, Somerset. Mary Ann died in 1931 aged about 78 and is also buried in Yeovil. I have the bill for her grave somewhere, and also there is a picture of her tending John's grave. Must look them out.
Will try to insert that certificate now or in a separate post, then start again with another line! There is certainly plenty to put on here!
Vicky
Just seen the new message Jenny. No, I could never find the family!! No wonder!! That is a fantastic new piece of information! This is great! Going to peruse it and write again in a moment!
-
Hi Vicky, Hi Jenny
I went to the harbour for lunch and when I came back all this is there! fantastic, I will get to work on it now! ;D
Vicky if you need to ask any questions of Jemmys brothers or sisters let me know as I have most of them complete, I have a decendant of harelips (John Smith) and a decendant of Redshirts (George matthews) who are also doing research for me, they are filling in the gaps while I concentrate on going backwards! back to 1740's at the moment.
Anyway let me analyse all this data and I will post again!
many many thanks for all the info !!!! it's soooo exciting ha ha
Lorraine
-
Vicky just sent you a message!
Lorraine
-
Hi Vicky
Confused already ha ha !!
I have Eliza already on my tree and have that she was married to Leonard Davis, however I have her father down as Billy (might be a nickname) and that they have 3 children Henry, Jack and Leonard jr.
The Matthews and the Davis's married each other alot which doesn't make my job any easier ha ha
Henry (above child) had a daughter called Ellen, she is not only a distant cousin but a good friend as well, she married Joseph Castle and now travels with the Castle family
Anyway let me get back to the info and I will let you know.
Lorraine
-
Hi Lorraine, Hi Jenny,
Had no luck posting that certificate. May have to email it separately if thats OK. Also have a few photos you might be interested in.
Jenny, that census info is fantastic. Have just updated my database. I'm a bit confused with Mary Ann/ Marya(Maria) though as I've got my gg gran Mary Ann born 1853 so she fits more with Marya (Maria)!
I forgot to say when I was doing the earlier post on my great grans line just now that when great grannie and grandad married in 1912 there was another feud going on between the Smiths and the Townsends so great grannie and grandad got married secretly and went back to living separate lives with their parents, great gran in Yeovil and great grandad in Weymouth. Apparently great grannies mother thought she'd be marrying beneath her if she married great grandad. Anyway, six months later great grandads mum Alice came across this piece of paper and marched round to her sister-in-law Kate Elizabeth Ann Townsend nee Forse's house with it (Kate could read and Alice couldn't). Apparently she said "Is this what I think it is?!". Yup, she'd found the marriage certificate! I bet there were fireworks that day! Ironically this is the 1911 Census entry:-
1911 Caravan, Smithy Orchard, Sampford Peverell, Somerset
Mary Ann Smith Head Wid 50 Showman Stapleford, Sussex
Lydia Smith Dau Unm 22 Assisting in the business Martinstown, Dorset
Joseph Smith Grandson 9 Upper Parkstone, Dorset
Frank Townsend Serv U 25 Showmans Lab Taunton
Great grandad Frank was living with great gran and her mum. Given that he is down as a servant and they married less than a year later I guess this is why she said great gran was marrying beneath her!
Also 1901 Census for John and Mary Ann Smith nee Matthews
Caravan, Near Albert Road, Heatherlands St John, Branksome, Dorset
John Smith Head Mar 49 Amusement provider shooting gallery Not known, Sussex
Mary A Wife Mar 46 Stapleford, Sussex
Mary A Dau Unm 27 Woking, Surrey
William Son Unm 26 Knaphill
Joseph Son U 18 Farnham, Surrey
Lydia Dau 11 Martinstown
Martha Matthews Niece U 18 Epsom, Surrey
(any ideas on who Martha Matthews is? The only Martha I've got is the daughter of Chorley and Phoebe but she was born in Leigh, Surrey)
Anyway, on to the next line in the family. Jemmy and Famebridge Matthews daughter Eliza Matthews married Leonard Davis 2 July 1898 St Nicholas, Guildford. Leonard was born 1871 Epsom, baptised 28 May 1871 Esher, Surrey (IGI). He died 1 Dec 1932 aged 64. I think he was buried at St Lawrences Church, Alton but I'm not entirely sure. I know the family settled there and started what became a very succesful car business (I've got one of their original business cards somewhere - yup, I'm a clutter nutter!). I've got a photo of the headstone and its gorgeous - a lovely statue of an angel. Eliza died Jan 1962 aged 92 Alton and was buried 29 Jan 1962 probably St Lawrence.
They had 7 children that I've found so far.
Leonard jnr born 1899 Addlestone baptised 19 March 1899 Horsell (?), Surrey. He married Dolly.
Louise (Louie) born 1900 Addlestone.
Lydia born about 1904 Adversane, Sussex.
Henry (no other details). He married Nelly Townsend (on my great grandads side!). They had daughter Mary.
Mary born 1912 baptised 2 June 1912 Elstead, Surrey died 1915 Hambledon District, Surrey aged 2.
James born about 1902 baptised 9 Feb 1902 Horsell (?), Surrey.
Matilda born 1908 Elstead, Surrey, died 1915 Hambledon District, Surrey aged 8.
Census Entries:-
1901 Caravan, Green Lane, Thursley, Surrey
(Living next door to Elizas parents James and Phamae[sic] Matthews
Leonard Davis Head Mar 28 Traveller Hawker Epsom, Surrey
Eliza Wife Mar 25 Traveller Hawker Not Known
Leonard Son 2 Addlestone
Louise Dau 7m Addlestone
1911 Thursley Road, Godalming, Surrey
Leonard Davis Head Mar 38 Licensed Hawker Epsom Town
Eliza Wife Mar 37 Licensed Hawker Knapp Hill, Surrey
Leonard Son 13 School Woking, Surrey
Louie[sic] Dau 11 School Chertsey, Surrey
Lydia Dau 7 School Adversane, Sussex
Matilda Dau 3 Elstead, Surrey
(entry says Leonard and Eliza have been married 14 years)
Anyway, my head is starting to spin!
Hope you're managing to keep track and I'm not confusing you too!
If I post my email address on here will I be breaking any policies? Think you'd find the photos etc interesting.
Lorraine, I'm sure I'm going to be asking a lot of questions! The info I've got came primarily from "Fairfield Folk" so its a bit scant! Who've you got back to at 1740? That's incredible!
Would you be able to fill me in on your lines if poss please?
Anyway, let me know about the email addy.
Vicky
Lorraine, thanks ever so much, thats given me some more info on the Davis line! The Castle name pops up on some of the stuff I've "accumulated" through my great gran and then later, my grannie. Will have to look it out! If I sent messages twice ignore them! I'm not used to getting posts coming through so thick and fast!!!
-
Me again,
Had to take some stuff out as it said I had exceeded 5500 characters!!!
Census entries for Jemmy and Famebridge
1901 Census Caravan, Green Lane, Thursley, Surrey (living next door to daughter Eliza (Davis)
James Matthews Head Mar 71 Traveller Hawker Sussex
Phamae Wife Mar 70 Traveller Hawker Balls Cross, Sussex
William Son U 27 Traveller Hawker Ash, Surrey
Lydia Dau U 30 Traveller Hawker Goudhurst, Kent
1911 Census Deadwater, Bordon Camp, Headley, Alton
James Matthews Head Mar 79 General Hawker Not Known
Fanbridge Wife Mar 78 Balls Cross, Sussex
(entry says 58 years married)
Vicky
-
Hi Vicky, Hi Jenny
Vicky on the last post, the martha matthews (niece) is my granny !!!
jenny I have had a look at the census record you supplied but mary Ann's age is out by 5 years which isn't unusal as they used to lie on the census forms! but it has Eliza as being born before Lydia and I have them the other way round. Need to research that a bit before I put it in.
Ok back to the books!!! be back soon
Vicky I sent you my email address in your message so send pictures or anything to that if you like
-
p.s Vicky, my granny was born in Epsom in 1877
-
This is all starting to get surreal!!
Lorraine, your cousin and good friend Ellen, would you be able to ask her if her mum was the daughter of Joseph and Ellen Kate Townsend (nee Russett). I've got her down on my fam hist program as Nelly (Agnes L?) Townsend. If she is then its the most weirdest thing. Its just that her grandad was probably brother to my great great grandad Henry Benjamin Townsend. When Ellen Kate died in 1919 my great grannie and grandad Frank and Lil (Lydia) Townsend wanted to adopt one of the children - one of your cousin/friends mum or brother/sister. There were (from what I can gather) Charlie, Joseph, Nelly (possibly your friends mum), Laura and Lily. Lily died as a baby in 1915. In the photos I got from my great grannie and my grannie is a part of a very old photo of 3 of these children when they were little. On the back on old writing it says Fanny Russett 6 years, Lordy 6 years and Charlie 4 years - there ages [sic]. In the end some of the children went to live with their mums family the Russetts and I think one child stayed with their father. Strange huh. I'll email you the picture and you can pass it on to her.
Vicky
-
Hi Vicky
I have emailed George Matthews as Ellen is out on the road at the moment. I looked on the family tree and I just have that her father was Henry Davis Son of Eliza Matthews and Leonard Davis but there is nothing for her mother. I am sure during conversations I have had with her she has mentioned the Townsend family, I will let you know what George says when he replies as I want to know now as well!
I had to buy a special family tree package it was so worth 50 quid, you just click this person and that person and tell the computer its the same person and it merges them, so worth the month with our family !!!
Did Lydia Smith & Francis Townsend have a daughter called Eileen? I have them on the family tree but they are under James (chewbacca) sister Mary Ann not Jemmy & Fambridge's Mary Anne ??? ::)
-
Hi Lorraine,
Eileen was my grannie! Yes, she was daughter of Francis William (Frank) and Lydia (Lil) my great grannie and grandad. Grannie's full name was Eileen Lydia but we called her Helen. 13-1-1918 to 4-11-08. I sent you a huge email to your lolmac email address but if your computers on the blink you might not have got it yet. Grannie had a brother Frank Harold 3-11-1914 to 11-5-1991 and a brother George William 26-12-1932 to 11-9-2001. Grannies gran was Mary Ann Smith nee Matthews and her great grannie was Famebridge. I think I was really lucky to have known my great grannie. I was 16 when she died. She was the one that got me interested in family history by telling me the story of great grandad Townsends brother who died in the Great War, and the story of his sister who drowned in Weymouth Harbour in 1907 aged 3. Obviously the family weren't in a position to own a camera so the only picture in existence is of Annie Elizabeth in her coffin propped up on a table. It really is a pitiful little picture. I also have the newspaper article that goes with it. If you'd like to see it let me know. If your friends grandad was my gg grandads brother she may well have heard the story but not seen the picture. All I've asked in the past is that people treat it with respect and don't plaster it all over the 'net! I wish I had the genealogy bug properly when she was alive. She'd have been sick of the sight of me bless!
It'll be interesting to see what George says won't it. Must say I'm incredibly curious. It probably isn't really that strange. They always married into traveller families after all.
I've had my family tree pc package years and years and its transferred to every computer I've had. The gut buster comes when the info has to got back in! I've got every branch of my family on there, over 20 years of hard graft and I'm nearly at the 6000 individuals mark. They are so good for working out relationships for anyone I choose, or telling me how old someone was when they died. What day of the week they died on back in 1720 etc etc. Couldn't manage without it now!
Who were Chewbacca's siblings? I haven't got anyone down. I didn't even have parents until Jenny posted them this morning. Was his mum really called James?!
Anyway, Ive got some more bits to send so look out!
Vicky
-
Hi Jenny
Just popped on to say that Vicky has emailed me tons of stuff which I am working through!
I will keep you and Jenny posted. I will print everything off for Jenny and send it to her or bring it over when I come Christmas. I have promised to give Jenny a ring when I have received her letter she is sending.
Well what an exciting day! I don't think that I am missing alot of data now on the famiy tree, the main areas I was missing were Jenny's and Vicky's how amazing is that ;D
Anyway I am off to my bed now and I will speak to you tomorrow.
Night
Lorraine x
-
Hi Vicky
Just a correction! James (Chewbaccy)'s parents were John and Jane - got James on the brain! Sorry!
Jenny
-
Back on line after the hottest day of the year so far! Too warm to be sitting in front of a laptop that's for sure!
Been rooting through boxes and boxes of photos and found lots of lovely ones. Lorraine, I'm going to be busy, busy, busy scanning this lot!
I forgot to mention it but have you seen the film "Far From the Madding Crowd" (from the novel by Thomas Hardy), the one with Julie Christie, Alan Bates and Terrence Stamp? Great grannie Lydia Townsend nee Smith had a bit-part in the film. If you ever get to watch it (and I recommend you do - (my fave film despite great gran being in it) look out for the part where Fanny Robbin meets Sergeant Troy in the stables and tells him she is going to the workhouse. We see her walking up Gold Hill in Shaftesbury. When she knocks on the door of the workhouse the little slidy window opens and you see a face. Great grannie!!! The door then opens and Fanny is ushered into the workhouse by none other than.....great grannie!!! Fanny Robbin dies (sorry to spoil the plot), and as her coffin leaves the workhouse it is followed by ......great grannie!!!
Even after all these years I never tire of that film and 23 years after she died it is so lovely to see her in the film. She will always be alive in the film which is what I love about it. I also have the letters from John Slessinger (the director) to her, the original film program, the original tickets and photographs of great gran with some of the cast. Priceless!
Vicky
-
I will have to get a copy of it and watch it! I didn't get back on today either as I have guests arriving next week and have had to spring clean a bit ha ha can't sit down because its boiling hot coz every day is boiling ::)
Anyway I will get back to it tomorrow.
L x
-
hi i am looking in for info for this person too :) my great grandfather was richard matthews....born to william matthews and mary ann holman..william was born in battle...perhaps 1852 or so... richard matthews has a bro named Joseph or Joe..and also a sister named mary among others...i believe his grandparents were james matthews and lydia gowan