RootsChat.Com

Thank you Celia- I am now retired from paid work and people are in touch with me from all over Australia and even England & New Zealand. People who's family came here as convicts or free settlers. It is on a voluntary basis and it is an a amazing thing. Sort of like research  in reverse. Traveler families & descendants of the free settlers from all over looking for their family members. Research is a God send . It keeps my mind , sort of like a body builder does. Have a look at my web page and you will see what I do My Web Site is http://avonvalleycollection.bravehost.com/  - Roser

Thanks again Stan- I live in Western Australia so I can't access anything unless it's on line. I am researching Gypsy Convicts & Gypsy free settlers who came to Australia. Transportation to this countryended in 1868 and my theory that many of the convicts would have been Travelers is proving correct. It's taken a few years just to put together the Gypsy surnames in the UK, something I had to do before I could begin my search here.  My interest in Prisons ( any) is that so many Gypsies were incarcerated for anything ( even riding their ASS on the pavement) and Brideswell housed children many of them Gypsy. Western Australia (at least) had "Parkhurst Lads" or juvenile convicts . These children became shepherds & farm hands to the early colonists . Any help that is given is greatly appreciated. 1979 in Westen Australia saw our 150 yeas since white settlement and 1988 our Bicentennial year. A group of  Historians ( all off us amatuer' but leaders in the field) helped put together a set of dictionaries called "The Bicentennial Dictionaries of Western Australian" in all 10 volumes. The Gypsy arrivals is intended to be a part of the series. A part of my forebears "William & Dinah Roser"were Gypsy free settlers in 1842- Thanks again- Roser

Thank you Reg- I didn't know there was a Brideswell Prison in W.A. I am refering to Brideswell Prison in the UK. Is there a reference to it on this site. Sorry if I have mislead you- Roser (Jan)

Can anyone helpany information on the Beard Family. I posted the message on  Gypsy Connection site asking for Beard info but didn't receive any replies- Romany Roser

Hi Alf- I think that I spoke to you a while ago, concerning brothers Moses Beard born 1828 (Tetbury) & Cornelius Beard born 1830 (Tetbury) both sons of Stephen & Rebecca nee Sharpe . They came to Western Australia per the vessel "City of Bristol"in 1856 and settled in the Northam District. I have been busy with my sister who has now passed away and I wonder if you have any  info on their line. Stephen son of William & Alice nee WITTS, William son of William & Mary nee Dicks, William son of John & Mary nee Blizzard, John son of Samuel & Not Stated, Samuel son of Daniel & Mary nee Not Stated, Daniel son of Daniel & Mary nee Lawrence. - Romany Roser