Photo: can you identify DRAPER/BUTLER Gypsies, Bedfordshire?

[CitizenSmith]

Hi everyone

This mystery photo shows an elderly couple who regularly camped in their vardo by the entrance to the Gliding Club on Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire, over 40 years ago. They were known to members only as 'Mr and Mrs Draper'.

I'd love to know their first names so does anyone recognise them?

Some detective work has suggested they may be related to a Butler family who travelled/lived in and around Peterborough.

All ideas/info gratefully received.

Many thanks.

Sharon

[scottgirl]

i have printed this have shown my father her didn't recognise them but when the weather is permiting [snow] i will show some other family members got some drapers in my lot
wish me luck
barb

[social-butterflies]

i have printed this have shown my father her didn't recognise them but when the weather is permiting [snow] i will show some other family members got some drapers in my lot
wish me luck
barb

i will also do the same, and hope my mums friend who is a draper may know something 

[CitizenSmith]

That's excellent. Many thanks to both of you.

Look forward to hearing more when you've passed the photo around.

Best wishes
Sharon

[stevewdraper]

Hi,
My name is Stephen Draper
My father is * Draper born *
My Grandfather is * Draper born 1918 wife *
My Great Grandfather is Goliath(cocker) Draper born 1870 wife Carolina
My Great Great Grandfather is Edmund Draper not sure of birth date

Anyway,
I`m a traveller,
Goliath(Cocker) Draper was born in St. Neots and his father Edmund lived in and around bedford for many years.
I recognise that picture and will show it to my dad, Levi.
A lot of my family still live round there according to my dad.
If you contact me I will put some pictures on here for your family to see.

*details of living and possibly living people removed in accordance with Rootschat policy

[CitizenSmith]

Hi Stevewdraper

That's great news - thanks.

Hope your Dad knows who they are: they've been puzzling me for years.

Best wishes
Sharon

[Matt Sears]

Hi Steve

My name is Matt Sears, I am coordinating a study at the University of Leicester looking at the male inherited DNA of British males with Romany backgrounds. I have already sampled two donors whose families carried the surname Draper (sometimes Parker) and from the family information you gave your line seems to be unconnected.  You would be a welcome edition to this free study. We have sampled 70 dnors so far covering many families from across the British Isles.  Please feel free to have a look at our webpage www.le.ac.uk/diasporas and follow link to British Romany Project, you can contact me directly on (*).       Cheers, Matt Sears     

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[emjsw]

Hi,
My name is Stephen Draper
My father is * Draper born *
My Grandfather is * Draper born 1918 wife *
My Great Grandfather is Goliath(cocker) Draper born 1870 wife Carolina
My Great Great Grandfather is Edmund Draper not sure of birth date

Anyway,
I`m a traveller,
Goliath(Cocker) Draper was born in St. Neots and his father Edmund lived in and around bedford for many years.
I recognise that picture and will show it to my dad, Levi.
A lot of my family still live round there according to my dad.
If you contact me I will put some pictures on here for your family to see.

*details of living and possibly living people removed in accordance with Rootschat policy

Hi stevewdraper,
I hope your don't mind me contacting you and I hope I have done it in the right place. 18m ago I have discovered I am related to Spenser Draper born Husborn Crawley beds 1826,his parents were William 'Billy' Draper and Mary Cotchin. He was sometimes known as Spenser Smith. On census returns and his children's birth certificates from Beds, Bucks, Oxon and Kent he says he is a traveller. I just wondered if you are related to them?
I am really sorry I don't know who the people are in the photos but the lady shares common facial features too the women in my family descended from the Drapers especially the cheeks.
Best wishes Emma

[CitizenSmith]

Hi Emma

I'm pleased to report that recently a member of the Romany and Traveller FHS has given us an identity for the man and woman in the photograph that I posted here eight years ago.

They are Israel Draper or Parker and his wife Scenty/Saney Butler. Israel was born in Tingrith, Buckinghamshire, son of Nelson Draper and Naomi Parker or Ellis, in 1885. He was buried in 1970 in Dunstable Cemetery, Bedfordshire. Scenty/Saney died in 1978 and is buried in the same cemetery.

Sharon