Anyone heard of Gheacham, Berkshire (now possibly in Oxfordshire)

[Cadoret]

Thanks Tazzie - guess I missed that as it was in Gloucestershire -  one day someone will come up with an interactive map that shows the parish & registration boundary changes! (btw I've done 2 Google 1877 boundary overlays for the east end of London if anyone needs 'em.)

Overall, Greenham seems the most likely, but Mersey Hampton seems much more likely, so  that's the one I'll put in the tree until I (eventually) work my way back through the tree with documentary proof - have got as far back as an 1812 marriage OPR record on my mum's side (Armstrong), but no past my dad(!) on his side... so much easier to research Scottish records!

[KN]

How about Compton Beauchamp (pronounced Beacham)?  Was in Berkshire, now in Oxfordshire, about 8 miles west of Wantage.

KN

[Cadoret]

Thanks for the suggestion KN, I also spotted that, just before I abandoned my search... perhaps a bit too convoluted to get to Geacham from Compton Beauchamp?

Guess I was hoping someone might have some local knowledge about a nickname or extinct, so unless something like that turns up, this goes on the back burner :-)

[behindthefrogs]

Thanks for the suggestion KN, I also spotted that, just before I abandoned my search... perhaps a bit too convoluted to get to Geacham from Compton Beauchamp?

Guess I was hoping someone might have some local knowledge about a nickname or extinct, so unless something like that turns up, this goes on the back burner :-)

As I said in my original comment it is very easy to read a capital B written in its most flowing form as Gh.  I wouldn't rejcet the idea of it being  Beacham being written phonetically.

David

[Cadoret]

DOH! Must be having a dense day -  can now quite easily see that the place might be known locally as Beachamp, pronounced and written as Beacham, and then mis-read as Gheacham.

Looks like I've now got 2 candidates again until if and when I can get some original documentsation.

Thanks as ever for everyone's help. :-)

PS can anyone poiint me in the right direction for calligraphy/ old English/old writing sites? I have a couple of documents I'm still trying to decipher.

[newburychap]

Believe it or not Beauchamp is commonly pronounced Beecham - not just for Compton Beauchamp but for the surname as well. Of course the Beauchamp in Compton B probably comes from a family that owned the manor at some time.

Now try Cholmondeley-Featherstonehaugh

[Cadoret]

I assumed that Beauchamp would be pronounced Beecham, it was just the shortened form that I overlooked.

And to answer your question, I studied drama & dance in Cheshire many years ago, and these 2 names are/were used by dance companies...

The first is pronounced as in Harry Enfield's Cholmondeley-Warner, but thank goodness I can ask you how to pronounce Featherstonehaugh; I used to know how to pronounce it, but have totally forgotten!!!!! I feel another DOH! moment coming on :-)

[hepburn]

Hi Cadoret,
                 I think featherstonehaugh, is pronounced Fanshawe

[Cadoret]

Thanks Oonagh -  has been bugging me on & off for years!