Hello

[MacMahuna]

Hello,
Am I in the right place to introduce myself?
I'm in my 60s so pretty late to start searching my family history as, sadly, no one is any longer alive.
My mother, Patience Violet, always told me that her name family name was Thompson. She had been born in Devon and her family were traveling people ( she called them gypsies) this was something she had always felt ashamed of.
 On beginning my search I found that her father's name was Arthur Penfold though her mother, Priscilla Thompson, always used her own name.
I think both Arthur and Prisilla were born in Hampshire and the 1911 census shows them living in a caravan there.
I'm not sure how to move ahead but I wonder if there are any family links or have I not given enough information.
I should also add that my mother's younger sister, also Priscilla, married a Henry Penfold in the New Forest, Hampshire  in 1929
II would be so grateful for any information

[Milliepede]

Hello and welcome 

Never too late to start researching.  I wonder if Arthur and Priscilla ever married if she continued to use her maiden name.

Do you have the birth certificate for Patience Violet - is it under Penfold or Thompson.

As you have found them on the 1911 census we can have a go at working backwards.

[Milliepede]

This could be her birth registration but no middle name shown

Penfold Patience born Sep 1907 Plymouth mothers maiden name Thompson

Penfold Priscilla born Sep 1909 Plymouth mothers maiden name Thompson

[MacMahuna]

Yes. I found her birth date and have ordered her birth certificate.
The strange thing is though that she even used the name Thompson on her wedding certificate!
I also read a link about an Amos Penfold in Shirley, Southampton. I think he was the father of Arthur.
Are any of them known to members here?
By the way. Thank you for responding so quickly

[rosie99]

Welcome to rootschat

Is this them in Plymouth in 1911
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XW9X-4W3

Arthur Penfold 32 bn Southampton
Priscilla 30 bn Southampton
Arthur 6
Pacient 3
Priscilla 2
Children all born Plymouth

[MacMahuna]

Yes, that's them. However, my mother always said she was named Patience Violet.

[Ellenmai]

There is a Baptism for Patience Violet Penfold 6/8/1907 at the Anglican Church Parish of St Peters, Plymouth, she was born 28/6/1907 Parents Arthur & Priscilla Penfold of 55 King Street. Father's occupation Hawker.

[Milliepede]

Yes I've just been looking at Amos who in 1891 has daughters called Patience and Priscilla and a wife possibly called Thompson, confusing, but think those 2 daughters died as spinsters.

Someone will double check that for us.  I was thinking the daughter was your Priscilla but she was born in Wiltshire.

[rosie99]

There is a baptism at St Peter, Plymouth 29th June 1909 - birth 16th June for a Gertrude Priscilla Penfold with parents Arthur & Priscilla - fathers occ Labourer- abode 55 King Street.

Other baptisms at same place with parents Arthur & Patience

Patience Violet - Birth 28 Jun 1907 - Baptism date 06 Aug 1907 - abode 55 King St -fathers occ Hawker

Harry born 21 Aug 1911 -bapt 31 Aug 1911 - abode 2 Grinby Cottages - fathers occ Hawker

William -born 12 May 1913 - bapt 10 June 1913 -abode 55 King St -fathers occ Labourer

Kathleen Dorothy born 18 Nov 1915 - bapt 5 Dec 1915 -abode 119 the rear of King St -fathers occ Traveller

John - born 20 July 1917 bapt 2 Aug 1917 - abode 62 King St -father occ Labourer