Places
Looking at Genes Reunited which has others with interests in the same family, they are equally confused. Edwin Message 1898 of Staffordshire is another whose birth I cannot find, but some say that too is Hawkhurst. Mind you, a 10 mile radius would cover Hawkhurst, Salehurst, Hurst Green, and even Biddenden. I dont think many of the children were very sure where they were born. I think it may be him as Edwin Farris born West Bromwich 1898.
Note: In 1891 Edwin Message (b 1873) gives his birthplace as Hurst Green, the same place as his presumed sibling John Amos Farris (b1876) does. It makes you wonder whether these two spent some of their youth together. But when their mother Rosetta was no longer with them (either died or found a new partner) Edwin ends up with his great grandparents (1881) and John stays with his father (1891).
I think I may have said it before but instead of being travellers or gypsies, I now wonder if these were formerly boat people who travelled the inland rivers and canals. Hence they frequently appeared in so many different places.
George must have had a wonderfully broad rural dialect, for his Frensham (Ponds) appears in so many guises, but he tops it all with his 'Orchis'. That one has to be my favourite.
Thanks again for your continuing interest and input.
Regards Roy G
