Hi All,
My apologies for being part of my fishing expedition! I've got one branch of my family which might possibly have Romani or Traveller connections. It's a bit convoluted but stick with me. Basically, I'm hoping people might be able to tell me if any of the people mentioned are known to be Romani or Travellers families.
COSTER/LUCAS/WHITLEY
Firstly, I'm having trouble tracking down Sarah Ann COSTER (nee LUCAS).
Sarah Ann LUCAS was born about 1853 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. However, each census on which she appears has a different birthplace (1861 -Birmingham, 1871 - Newbold, Warwickshire, 1881 - not located yet, 1891 - Bretby Estate, Derbyshire and 1901, Cornwall). For most of these census' she is Hertfordshire.
On 2 April, 1871 I believe that Sarah Ann is resident in the Union Lane Workhouse, Chipping Barnet, Hertfordshire, England. Listed with her is a 1 month old called Charles LUCAS. She is unmarried, a pauper whose previous profession is listed as General Domestic Servant. At this time, her parents and siblings are listed as living at East Barnet. This proximity leads me to believe that I've got the right Sarah Ann LUCAS.
Her father was Anthony LUCAS b 1822 Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, England, married Hannah LINES b 1825
Newbold Upon Stour, Warwickshire, England. Anthony was a road labourer.
On 20 Jul 1873, in Barnet, Hertfordshire, England, she married Henry COSTER and had three children, George Henry COSTER, Alfred John COSTER and James COSTER. Their first son was born in New Barnet, but the last two were born in Southgate, London, indicating that the family had moved during this period. In Sep 1877 Henry COSTER died.
I've been unable to find Sarah Ann LUCAS on the 1881 census. However, I have found a Charles COSTA (10 yrs), George COSTA (6 yrs) and Alfred COSTA (4 yrs) who are resident in the Edmonton Union School. All of this would seem to indicate that Sarah and her young family fell on hard times after the death of Henry and that the children were placed in the Union School while Sarah and her youngest son resided somewhere else, possibly her working in service somewhere.
In 1891 and 1901 she is living in Edmonton with her new Husband, John WHITLEY (marine store dealer).
BOSWELL/BROOKS/RANN
The other families I'm interested in are Stephen BOSWELL b abt 1824 Ware, Hertfordshire, England d 1874 Edmonton, London, Middlesex, England. He married Sarah BROOKS b abt 1824 Ware, Hertfordshire, England d 1875 Edmonton, London, Middlesex, England
His daughter, Emily (b 1855 in Edmonton, Middlesex) married George RANN in 1874 in Cripplegate.
Sorry some of the details are a bit vague!
Any help appreciated.
Cheers,
Michelle
