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Messages - prairiegypsy

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1
Occupation Interests / Re: What was a "translator" in 1600's Gloucestershire?
« on: Monday 30 November 20 00:05 GMT (UK)  »
Thank you Rena and GR2 for the excellent information! Gina, your link to Painswick history is so helpful. It contained info on two of my "Terretts."  :)

2
Occupation Interests / What was a "translator" in 1600's Gloucestershire?
« on: Sunday 29 November 20 20:19 GMT (UK)  »
I have several ancestors named Terrett who lived in Painswick, Gloucester in the 1600-1700s whose occupations were listed as "translator" in some marriage records and other documents. They do not appear to have been educated or people of means. Any ideas what a "translator" may have meant in their circumstances?

3
Travelling People / Re: So what makes someone a Gypsy (or Traveller)?
« on: Sunday 15 December 19 05:44 GMT (UK)  »
Dear friends who've responded to my post, "So what makes someone a Gypsy or Traveller?"

I BELIEVE I HAVE MY ANSWER! Thanks to all of you and especially Erato who posted this link:
http://www.gypsyloresociety.org/additional-resources/gypsy-and-traveler-culture-in-america

This website explains there are many, many kinds of Gypsies and Travellers, not just Romany and Irish Travellers as I mistakenly thought. I was thinking much too narrowly. I was trying to lump "my Gypsies" into either the Romany or Irish camps, and they didn't seem to fit in either.

Thanks again to everyone, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!  :D

4
Travelling People / Re: So what makes someone a Gypsy (or Traveller)?
« on: Sunday 15 December 19 05:18 GMT (UK)  »
Ruskie, my Gypsy ancestors did intermarry with only a few other families -- the Smiths, Richardsons and Lovedays. (My original post goes into some detail.) The family's surnames were Browett, Blades, Frisby, Mitchell, Sculthorpe, Woodcock, Sharman, Wright.

I am hoping someone more knowledgeable than me will tell me if these are Gypsy/Traveller names.

Yes, I've traced my grandparents' lives in England. They met and begin "walking out together" at age 16. It was my grandmother who told me her family wouldn't allow a marriage because of my grandfather's Gypsy lineage. In 1919, when my grandparents were 27 (and still not married), they sailed from Southampton to New York. They married in 1920 at the age 28.

As to the ethnicity percentages, I assumed there would be something indicating possible Romany heritage or a greater percentage of Irish ancestry, but I actually understand little about it and am probably misguided.  ;D

I'm not doubting the Gypsy heritage in my family. I believe there is sufficient evidence. I'm just wishing I knew what kind of Gypsies/Travellers they were. I guess my original question, "What makes someone a Gypsy?," is more philosophical than literal. Thanks for your help!

5
Travelling People / Re: So what makes someone a Gypsy (or Traveller)?
« on: Sunday 15 December 19 03:10 GMT (UK)  »
Unfortunately no, there are no older generations alive to tell the story. I am now the older generation.  ;D  I actually think the "thing" they were not supposed to talk about was simply the fact that there were Gypsies in the family. Although that's a non-issue (but interesting) to me, it was clearly a huge, life-changing issue for my grandparents and their families in England.

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Travelling People / Re: So what makes someone a Gypsy (or Traveller)?
« on: Sunday 15 December 19 00:55 GMT (UK)  »
Ruskie, yes, I once spoke with a third cousin who said she aware there was "something" (negative) with the family, but her father would not speak about it because "the children" (my generation) were not to ever know.

That was years ago. I think I will look into other DNA connections. Thanks Ruskie!

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Travelling People / Re: So what makes someone a Gypsy (or Traveller)?
« on: Sunday 15 December 19 00:07 GMT (UK)  »
Annie, yes I've traced them back a couple hundred years but I only know the occupations from when census's were taken. My 3rd great-grandmother had four illegitimate children but she ultimately married the children's father, Henry Browett of Rutland, and all of the children had the surname Browett.

My great-grandfather was given the middle name Browett and several other family members for several generations were also given the middle name Browett. I was told my great-grandfather was closely related to the head of the tribe. I now presume that was my 3rd great grandfather, Henry Browett, for whom the other Browetts seem to have been named after.

What I don't know and likely will never know is "why" they were Gypsies if they were not Romany or Irish Travellers (which they don't appear to be but I can't know for sure).

Since my grandmother was not allowed to marry into the family while she lived in England, I have no doubt they were considered Gypsies. I just have the curiosity of WHY the family defined themselves as Gypsies. Or perhaps some people were simply called Gypsies because they were considered unacceptable by society at the time?  :-[

8
Travelling People / Re: So what makes someone a Gypsy (or Traveller)?
« on: Saturday 14 December 19 23:05 GMT (UK)  »
Both Ancestry and 23andMe. Both had identical results. No, I haven't uploaded the raw data. I'm also extremely fair skinned with freckles and light eyes (as were my grandparents) so it's just hard to imagine Romany ancestry.

Also, my Gypsy ancestors did not appear to travel as most everyone was born in the same couple of towns. After reading several articles including those in this thread, I'm starting to think they self-defined as Gypsies for reasons (and a history) that I just don't know.

9
Northamptonshire / Re: Looking for marriage record for JOHN BARKER and MARY (unknown) Ringstead area
« on: Saturday 14 December 19 19:31 GMT (UK)  »
Thank you all for your help! To answer your questions, Mary Barker (Wright) was widowed again by the 1841 census. She is living in Islip with her children. I cannot find her in an 1851 census so presume she had died by then.


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