Hi I am desperately trying to find some information about my grand father Thomas Williams born in Sittingbourne Kent on 6th August 1892. He was from a Romany family his father Samuel's occupation on my grandparent's wedding certificate is given as 'tinker' . My grand dad told me that his family were 'pure romany' not sure what he meant by that. He was born in a vardo in a field in Kent. The only other thing I know is that he had a brother call Nathan or Nate who had a wooden leg! My uncle was called after another family member Olby and another uncle was called given the name Sampson again after one of grand dad's relations. Any tips or information would be greatly appreciated - Grand dad doesn't have a birth certificate so checking has been a nightmare !

I have been trying or many years to ind out what happened to my 3x great grandather Samuel Harris born 1816 Oakley, Hampshire, the son of James Harris and Phebe Earley . He had 4 children with Mary Ann Gritt but seems to have disappeared around 1844. Mary subsequently married Joseph Rawlings in 1847. Can ind no further trace of Samuel. Can anyone help please?

WRIGHT Samuel was my G G Grandfather, according to his Trial and Convict records he was born in Buckinghamshire in 1826, Samuel was tried at Banbury Oxford on 3 Jan. 1826, his occupation was labourer and described as a Gypsy Traveller, his partner in crime was George Jones, Jones occupation was a drover.

Samuel had a brother John but that is all I know about his siblings (this from the convict record), Samuel was transported to Tasmania in the Lady Palmyra departing 18 Apr.1846 and arriving 23 Aug. 1846.

The trial was reported in the Jackson’s Oxford Journal on 10 Jan. 1846

I am seeking any information relating to Samuel and his family in the UK.

Hoping someone can shed some light on this family.

Regards Peter

Elijah & Godfrey Wood are listed in the pedigree of Abram Wood compiled by Dr. Sampson

as sons of Adam & Ellen Wood. Yet, Elijah & Godfrey's marriage certificates list Jeremiah

Wood as their father. Can anyone resolve this situation for me? Thanks much.

Information for Site

I have researched the Elliotts of Willoughby on the Wolds and have this information which is not currently on your site. I am very happy to contribute to such a good web resource;

I have this Marriage Certificate:

In the Parish Church of Peterborough by licence on 17th November 1865

William Gray Full age Bachelor Horse jobber Billingborough Charles Gray Brazier

Mary Ann Elliott Full age Spinster Peterborough Willaim Elliott Labourer

Winesses Emily Gray and Robert English

Census information for this couple:

1871 RG10 / 3347 North Kyme, Lincs "sleeping in vans" with other Grays

1881 RG 11 / 3201 Couple have settled in Donington, Lincs

1891 RG 12 /2560 Still living in Donington

I am interested in any Romany or gypsy families who may have had connections with the district (or village?) of Longney, in the area between the Cotswolds and the Wesh border. In particular any connection with yeoman farmer William Ellis (in late 1800s), or a woman named Laura Bates.

hi have just left a message regarding the boyd family but I'm unsure it I have sent it correctly how can I check thanks alot jill

To Karren Merricks,

We have some Merricks here in Western Australia, Not sure how or when they got here. My niece married into that family.I'll investigate further if you want me to. email: vk6kts@wia.org.au. Like you say if you grow up with the "old" ways you think and act differently to the gajas arround you. Cheers

Kathi

please could the person who put the pictures of the hedges family on photo galley page 17, would you please send me an e-mail as these people belong to my family and would be interested in copies of these, perhaps you could e-mail them to me.

cheers henry hedges of belvedere kent

I am in need of any information on the Owen and Harriet Stanley tribe of which I am a direct decendant. I have always been told that we have a bloodline to the queen of England. If anyone has proff of this, I would love to know. You web site has been so helpful.

Hello.

I wonder if you could possibly help me im researching my family tree and im trying to find out as much as i can about my grandparents a Thomas Cater and Anna ( nee Low ) i have been told that he had his own fair and my mother would have worked on it her name was Laura Lthel Cater also his father had a fair and his name was Joseph Cater , she married a Stanley Esau Gray who was also a fair ground worker.

any information about them would be gratefully recieved.

Clifford Grey

To Gill who posted the message below Fuchsia Smith was the doughter of Lander Smith.

Gill 2009.8.20 00:11

Hi,

Although I have posted several times, thought I'd try again.

I am researching my grandparents who were Martha Ellen Taylor nee Pries/ or Price b. 1918 and Joseph Rogerson b. 1912 whose mothers maiden name was Smith.

I believe I have found Josephs parents but would like confirmation if anybody can help.

I have Joseph Rogerson and Fuchsia Smith who were married in 1913. Warrington.

I am unable to find Fuchsia on a census, birth or death record.

Does anybody know who she was and where she was born. I know the family were travellers and I believe from both sides.

I was the first generation not to be born in a caravan.

The family seemed to travel between Nantwich and Chester/ Wales, if this is any help.

Also Martha Ellen and Joseph jnr are buried in Nantwich. I thought maybe they had other family / relatives in the area.

Any help or suggestions greatfully received.

Found in the 1891 census - Fusia Smith, Parents John, Elizabeth, Born abt 1878 in Staffordshire, England, Relationship Daughter, Census place, Castleton, Lancashire - RG12; Piece: 3332; Folio 124; Page 55.

I hope this helps, Regards John

Hi I am working on my family tree but I have run into a problem with regards to my Great Grandfather Moses Sherred born near Andover, Married and lived in Odiham for a while then moved permanently to the New Forest Area - Wooldbridge/Three Legged Cross. Do you have any information to share regarding Moses' family.

Many thanks Jeff

Hi,

I have been researching my family tree. I think I am decended from Edward Hodgkins mentioned in the 1841 census, living in tents on Lineholt common. He was married twice. I think his first wife was Penelope Archer. His son Thomas is my ancestor. Thomas Hodgkins is described as a travelling tinker in the 1851 census, living In Mill street Worcestershire. Although Thomas was not there at the time ,his son Ryley (Peyley) age 13 was looking after his siblings, Susan 9, Walter 7, George 5 ( My gt gt granfather) Rebecca 3 & Wilson 1. It says next to Ryley`s name, "Father is out, son of head". Further along it says, "best information I could get". The census official obviously had a hard time getting anything out of Ryley. If anyone has anymore information about this family I would be very grateful. Yours Karen

Hi...am hoping someone can answer my query please...am trying to establish whether the Lambourne family from Wiltshire, later on in Stanford in the Vale, Berkshire in the 1800's, have connections to the Romany.

Some of the families they married into were Smith, Keen, King, Day, Owen.

My Gt Grandmother Rhoda lived in a caravan, with her husband Charles Smith, along with my Grandmother and my father.

One of the places my Dad remembered being at , was on land belonging to the cigarette manufacturer, Wills, in Berkshire somewhere I think.

Any help gratefully received, thanks, Shirley

To John,

Many thanks for the info, I am checking it now. Can't tell you what this means to me, I was struggling a bit. I think thats my great grand parents on the paternal side. I only have to find the maternal side now who were also Romany.

I'm supposed to be researching for my sociology Masters. I suppose this counts.

Thanks once again, eternally greatful.

My grandmother once told me that her fathers (my great-grandfather) family were Gypsies from Norfolk (probably Norwich area) Their name was Tubby but I've not been able to find any information to link the name Tubby to romany gypsies in Norwich at the end of the 1800s and turn of the century. Is Tubby a romany gypsy name?

Thank you for any light you can shed on this query.

Kirsty

hi is anyone related to george digger stanley looking for info about him hes my grt grt grandad please if you have any info or ur related please let me know thanx

To John and other post.

Having checked out the dates for fushia and other details. I'm not sure if this is the same one. I am more puzzled as every time I find an entry the name is spelt differently. I have found Fushia, Fuchsia, Fewshaw, and more. The one I seek was married in 1913, I presume she was born early 1990's.

You mention Lander Smith. Who is this and do you have an estimated date of birth or area please.

Also, I have noticed several smith families is there is any information you or anybody else could give me as to the origins of the smith families and how far back do I need to go before it becomes apparent which family are my ancestors.

I ask as I would like to learn more about the culture including the language.

I am very proud of my roots and am coming to terms with my new found knowledge, learning more daily.

I would really like an education section on this site, don't know what anybody else thinks.

What does Kushti Bokt mean. Also going to meet some of my family who still speak the language would love to impress with something simple.

How do I say I am really pleased to meet you, or something similar.

Ive always wondered why the name Coralina is predominantly a Gypsy name. I have several in my tree, and looking at the census', most Coralina's were from Gypsy families. Why, where did the name come from?

For Gill,

Hi, You need to place yourself in the position of the person recording the information as most Travelers could not read or write in the 1800's so the enumerator recorded what he thought he heard and his idea of what the spelling should be, unlike today where you or I would look at what was being written down and point out if a mistake was being made.

Many travelers did not bother to marry and were often persuaded to do so by the Church Army, this resulted in many marriages taking place after a number of children had been born, In my wife's family one couple married when he was 39 and she was 37 they had at least 9 children by this time,

Children's age and even names could alter across the census years, and as an example the couple I just mentioned were in the 1881 census aged 34 & 32, 1891 aged 44 & 40, 1901 aged 56 & 48, 1911 aged 69 & 64 they married as Walter Jeffs & Eliza Bland but died and were buried as Walter Bland & Eliza Bland.

I hope this does not confuse you to much, but it does illustrate that you need to dig deep to find the truth

Correction to last post - should read married as Walter Jeffs & Eliza Ayres

Dear John.

Thank you for your reply, I am a bit confused with my ancestry and will eventually find all the answers I require.

I have finally heard from a family member who may be able to help a bit.

Of course I have the added emotion that goes with finding my blood family for the first time but it is worth it.

I am really proud of my roots and learn new things on a daily basis.

I have learned that Fuschia who I believed to be Smith was in fact a Lea, daughter of Londa?

Is Londa a male or female, and can you or anybody else confirm the spelling or does the name vary.

My apologies for the questions but to finally reach the 1901 census would make me very happy.

I have been told the other side of the family (my Grandmother and Great Grand mother) Taylor and Price will be difficult to locate as they travelled extensively.

I do like a challenge.

Many thanks for your help.

i am trying to trace my granparents familys my grandfather was joseph lowe on his marriage certificate it says his father was also a joseph occupation showman my grandfather was born around 1882 to 85 my grandmother was called ellen neale her father was also a showman most of our family to date originate from the warwickshire area would appreciate any leads or help thanks

Hi

I'm researching my family tree and would like some help regarding the Boswell branch. I have been able to go back as far as Solivano (b.1757-1848) and Comfort (wood) Boswell.,who were married in Knowle, Warwickshire in 1812. Unfortunately I have recently moved to Canada making this task more difficult. Any help on identifying ancestors of these people would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

Hiya

Just wondered if anyone had any info on Elizabeth Coates and family from the orpington area origanally from cambridge. Also on any Abbotts again from the orpington area?

Many thanks

Hiya

Just wondered if anyone had any info on Elizabeth Coates and family from the orpington area origanally from cambridge. Also on any Abbotts again from the orpington area?

Many thanks

Gill.

Hello and thanks to the person who posted the help for Fuchsia smith.

Please can you give me some kind of geographical location and estimated dob for Lander smith. Also can you confirm the spelling and what sex lander is. Have also heard of Londa

Many thanks if you can help.

IHello All,

'm interested in finding out more info about the Shoesmiths/Shuesmiths who lived in and around the Lambourne forest area Chigwell. My Great Grandfather John Shoesmith known as "Romany Jack".

Many thanks,

Allie

HI CAN THE PERSON WHO POSTED THE PHOTO

OF JAMES AND HARRIET

ON ROMANY GENES GET IN TOUCH PLEASE

HAS MY GRANDMOTHER MARY IS IN THE PICTURE

AND GREAT GRANDMOTHER HARRIETT

I DO NOT HAVE A PICTURE OF THESE AND WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO GET A COPY IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU

AND GET ANY INFO REGAURDS THIS FAMILY PLEASE !!!!!!

VIVIENNE EMAIL vivi29_336@hotmail.com

HI ME AGAIN I SEE THE UNDERSCORE IS MISSING FROM MY EMAIL ADDRESS

SO ITS HERE AGAIN vivi29_336@hotmail.com

many thanks for THIS WONDERFULL SITE KEEP IT UPAND WELL KEEP ON LOOKING

GREAT WORK WELL DONE TO ALL VIVIENNE

HI REPLY TO PAUL IN CANADA

I HAVE A BOSWELL IN MY TREE WHICH BOSWELL IS IT AS THERE ARE SO MANY

VIVIENNE EMAIL ADDRESS vivi29underscore 336@hotmail.com i keep loosing my under score so i wrote it in this time

many thanks vivienne

I am a freelance writer writing an article for the Eastern Daily Press about the murder of Susan Wilson by James Nichol in Feltwell in 1908. I came across your reference to the EDP article about the trial and the fact that Susan was a gypsy. Can you give me any other information about her or this case? I have asked the EDP for a copy of the article but anything about her being a gypsy would be good to put in my story. Also you say she is "the daughter of old Hay". Can you tell me about him and their family too? Were her first husband (Daniel Wilson) and her third husband (Charles Wilson) related? Also do you have any pictures of her or her previous life?

Hope you can help.

Cheers

John Wright

to Kirsty Abbott,

my family travelled originally from the north of England,they then were local to London and Hertfordshire,my great grandfather was a horse dealer,it was said that we had family in Kent a long time ago,we might be realated,our family names are,Abbott,Cooper,Perry,Peters,are any of these names in your family?

from Michael Abbott.

Hi

My great grandmother was Laurina Waterfield born in Buxton, Norfolk in 1876. She married George Wilson, who was not a Romany, at Methwold in 1892. If anyone has any information about her or her family I would really love to hear from them. Apparently she was a lovely person and it would be so good to know more about her.

Many thanks

Hello,

Noticed your interest in the Boswell family and by chance having assisted someone researching a connection betwen the Heaps and the Revills I came across the following that might be new to you.

Checking my data for Whitwell St lawrence's, Derbyshire, I find that on May 16th 1811 there was the burial of a Jane Boswell (a travelling Gypsy) and an Israel Boswell. No DoB for Israel but 1711! for Jane. I suspect this might be mother and child dying in childbirth or shortly after, but if Jane was elderly then it might have been an epidemic of some sort. There are no other occurrences of Boswwell in these Whitwell burial records, and it does suggest another possible link to Cinamente Boswell who married John Heaps.

Kind regards,

Mike Clifford

URANIA GRAY

was my husbands gt.grandmother. She was supposedly married to William Sowden, Hawker, and they had six children. four of whom died under five years of age. in 1870 her son John died in the workhouse in King's Lynn and was buried under the name John Gray, ( not Sowden) son of Urania Gray. We cannot trace what happened to Urania after that, and can find no record of her death. Her son James(my husband's grandfather born in 1864) also took the name Gray, whereas her other son William kept the name Sowden. He lived with his father in lodgings in the 1871 census. I can find no trace of James, until 1881 census where he was an apprentice Baker, lodging with his employer. BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO URANIA? Her parents were Robert and Sarah Gray, travellers, and appeared in the 1861 census living in South Walsham, Norfolk. If anyone can help me I would be very grateful.

Helen Few

Thanks (Mike Clifford ) for info regarding the Boswell and heaps family I'm finding the Heaps hard to trace !!:)

Greetings!

This is a wonderful site...

I have two questions, basically.

(1) Was it common for a Gypsy /Traveller man to court a non-gypsy woman? On the birth record of my great-grandmother, Emily Crick, 1851, her mother (as we know) Margaret Crick, of Poplar, Middlesex, but then resident in Pimlico, gave birth in November to a little girl Emily. The child was given the mother's surname.

Her father was not listed on the actual Birth record from the Lambeth Lying-in Hospital, but on the later Baptismal Record, from the same hospital, the father was listed as : James James. There was a line drawn for "residence", and under "Quality, Profession, Trade" only the word "Traveller".

From this I think J. James may have been a Gypsy Traveller. I hope so!

They did not marry. Margaret's employer paid the hospital stay, and she went on to work as a hospital nurse until her sad death there from a fever in 1861. Her parents took in little Emily and raised her decently, thank God. I believe illegitimate children usually did not fare too well in those days.

(2) Would James have felt any claim on his daughter, or had any obligation to marry Margaret, or could it have merely been a brief encounter and he moved on, perhaps not knowing. I would like to think that Margaret would have had some sense of commitment, etc. before yielding to his charm, but there I go imposing my morals.....

Any suggestions or direction for further search would be very much appreciated!

Thanks.

If anyone is interested, A Romany writer, ROSEMARY PENFOLD has written a book about her life as a Romany in Somerset in the forties and entered it in THE PEOPLE'S AUTHOR COMPETITION on the ALAN TITCHMARSH SHOW.

The GRAND FINAL is on Monday (after the weekend on the 23rd November)

It is a LIVE SHOW and there is a public phone vote.

She is one of only FOUR finalists and if she wins her book will be published in April 2010.

In the book she remembers the BOSWELLS, SMITHS, BAILEYS AND LOVERIDGE FAMILIES.

Watch it on ITV 1 at 3pm Monday - LIVE.

Her book is called "A Field Full of Butterflies"

DON'T MISS IT!

If anyone is interested, A Romany writer, ROSEMARY PENFOLD has written a book about her life as a Romany in Somerset in the forties and entered it in THE PEOPLE'S AUTHOR COMPETITION on the ALAN TITCHMARSH SHOW.

The GRAND FINAL is on Monday (after the weekend on the 23rd November)

It is a LIVE SHOW and there is a public phone vote.

She is one of only FOUR finalists and if she wins her book will be published in April 2010.

In the book she remembers the BOSWELLS, SMITHS, BAILEYS AND LOVERIDGE FAMILIES.

Watch it on ITV 1 at 3pm Monday - LIVE.

Her book is called "A Field Full of Butterflies"

DON'T MISS IT!

If anyone is interested, A Romany writer, ROSEMARY PENFOLD has written a book about her life as a Romany in Somerset in the forties and entered it in THE PEOPLE'S AUTHOR COMPETITION on the ALAN TITCHMARSH SHOW.

The GRAND FINAL is on Monday (after the weekend on the 23rd November)

It is a LIVE SHOW and there is a public phone vote.

She is one of only FOUR finalists and if she wins her book will be published in April 2010.

In the book she remembers the BOSWELLS, SMITHS, BAILEYS AND LOVERIDGE FAMILIES.

Watch it on ITV 1 at 3pm Monday - LIVE.

Her book is called "A Field Full of Butterflies"

DON'T MISS IT!

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henryh hedges 21 11 09 diana davis i think you have got it wrong your motherinlaw was my aunt olive and her father was walter hedges her brothers were walter henry riley jerimiah leonard plus sister ruby sadley they have now passed away my father henry was the last to go if you want more information please contact me

i know i have romany blood in me, that's how my colour skin is slightly darker than all my frineds. ven though i've groen up with them and stayed in england all my life.

i'm trying to trace my family's past.

please help me.

i don't know where to start:(

h i diana its me again henry hedges just to let you know a few names of children in the family uncle walter had four there names were jack joan they were twins david and pauline henry my father had three myself alice and joyce jerimiah had rita and raymond riley had three caroline jerry and riley lenoad had four marther ruby lenourd cheyrl aunt rubys children i dont know their names they where a big gypsy family living in walthamstow speak to you soonl

Hi, I am researching on behalf of a friend, she would like to find out more about her late husband's family, and has been told that her ancestor GEORGE RICHARD WALKER and his wife ANNIE ROSE were thought to be travellers and came from MARSTON MAGNA in Somerset, I can find no record of them., is it possible anyone can help please

Glenys Watkins,

Yeovil, Somerset