Looking for Nora Banfield née Matthews in Kent, Traveller family from Wales

[IndianaGrace]

Looking for my maternal grandmothers history line. She was born in Mar 1920 in Maidstone, Kent and married Jack Banfield who was the first non traveller. Think she died 1980/1981. Nora(h) maiden name Matthews was the daughter of a traveller family, originally believed to be from barges/canal folk in Wales. Were/are Matthews a traveller family name in Kent? Possibly 1950's onwards, hop, apple picking seasonally in Kent and then settled for longer periods in the south east.

Her history was hidden and no one spoke of it. I've seen some records online that lead me to believe Nora(h) Matthews grandmothers name was Garrett.

First search so a lot of gaps, hoping to get from Kent to Wales. Currently without clues. I do not know the vocabulary used by travellers and am happy to be guided & informed. No offence is intended I am grateful for any information about my family wherever it leads & from whatever sources.  Thank you.

[Girl Guide]

Welcome to Rootschat 

This looks like her birth record from the GRO website

MATTHEWS, NORA       GARRETT 
GRO Reference: 1920  M Quarter in MAIDSTONE  Volume 02A  Page 2159

Her mother's maiden name is indeed Garrett as you suspected.

[Girl Guide]

This is the marriage record for Norah

Marriages Mar 1940   
Banfield    Jack    Matthews    Maidstone    2a   3684    
Matthews    Nora    Banfield    Maidstone    2a   3684

I'll have a look and see if she is on the 1939 Register.  She is there with her parents and four siblings living in Maidstone.

This is the marriage record for her parents

Marriages Jun 1919   
Garrett    Maria    Matthews    Maidstone    2a   2419    
Matthews    James R    Garratt    Maidstone    2a   2419

This is just for reference, you may already have this information.

[Girl Guide]

The Matthews family are in Kent in the 1901 census.  Living at 58, St Faith Street, Maidstone, Kent

Mum and Dad are Richard b.1863 and Ellen E b.1867.  Richard's occupation is given as Navvy and born in Devonport, Devon.

Registration district Maidstone
Archive reference RG13
Piece number 767
Folio 92
Page 29

This is most likely to be James' birth registration:-

MATTHEWS, JAMES  RICHARD     BARTLETT 
GRO Reference: 1892  M Quarter in MAIDSTONE  Volume 02A  Page 731

If there is a Welsh connection it may well be further back unless it is through the Garrett surname.

I'll leave it at that for now.

[IndianaGrace]

Thank you, I appreciate your help so much. I only joined this forum last night & after reading all the help notes and tips I've learned so much. The information you've given me is the important early foundation steps. Thank you. 

[curtainhooks]

Just to add-
I have romany (travelling) families from Kent with the surname Matthews, and your Matthews family seem to be travellers from what i've seen. Even though in the late 1800's and so on they're not living in caravans or tents, they could still be from a travelling family.
In the 1939 register their jobs are farm work and fruit canning, which similar to hop picking was a popular job that travellers did in Kent to make money.
Another pointer to a travelling family is the name of James' brother ''Ambrose''. This is a very common traveller given name.

Have just gone back on the Garrett side of the family and have actually got back to some of them living in a Caravan in West Ashford. If you want to know how I got here then I'll explain further but you may already have this  ! The jobs they have are Hawkers, a very common traveller job. The surname is actually Ripley but they married the Garrett family, so they come from that side. I'll have a look to see if I can find any Welsh links quickly. The same family on the previous census: (this had been written about them) ''Family had travelled during the night and arrived in District No7 in the morning of the 18th but had not been spoken to concerning this census.'' So 100 percent travellers!
In fact, I have some Ripley's on my family tree that would be on yours! (Moses Ripley 1847-) also have a picture of Moses' son George Ripley. I can go back on the Ripley side for you if you would like.


Just to summarise for the Ripley's:
Nora Matthews----> Maria Garrett(1899)----> Celia Ripley(1870)----> George Ripley(1831)----> George Thomas Ripley(1807) ----> Mark Ripley(1784) ----> Mark Ripley(1738)----> Thomas Ripley(1718)----> John Ripley (abt. 1700).

This is what I already had for the Ripley family on my own tree (plus adding in the Garretts at the start for you). So can confirm the Ripley's aren't the Welsh side, although the Garretts may be.

Please ask if you want anything explained or don't understand what i've written, I can help you find the census' for what i've found.
Good Luck

[curtainhooks]

Just in case you're struggling to find a marriage between Celia Ripley and John Garrett (who are Maria Garrett's parents). They married after having children, in 1932 in Maidstone, Kent. This could be because travellers sometimes had their own marriage ceremonies and didn't do it through the church. Then they may have decided to marry through the traditional way once older and maybe starting to settle down. Sorry if you already have all of this!

[IndianaGrace]

I am so impressed and grateful. Thank you.  You have filled in more gaps. My family history has been smothered and there are few remaining able to tell me anything on my family side. Traveller families in the Kent villages recognise something in me and many times I'm approached warmly by travellers. You've jogged my memory in many ways, I believe my family came to East Farleigh or nearby for fruit or hop picking annually and settled here.
Really appreciate your thoughts and what you have shared.