This page is an overflow from my main Swindon page.
Dennis Cave writes:
I was born at 23 Ipswich St. Swindon in 1929, but lived in Essex most of my life. I have been in Windsor, Ontario, Canada for the last 32 years.I still (I think) have several relatives in the Swindon area. My mother's family name was YATES. My grandmother, on my father's side was ADA FILER from Highworth. According to the 1831(?) census most of the Caves in King Stanley, Glos. were my ancestors. I think my grandmother on my mother's side was MARTHA JACKSON also with some connection to Highworth.
Bob Tuxford writes:
Seeking all TUXFORDs and connecting families, also any GARTHONs
Helen Linnehan writes:
I am looking for information regarding William KENT b. Swindon aproximately 1914. father William, mother Matilda, arrived in Quebec 6/22/1911 then the US on 11/30/1914. His age doesn't jive on the marriage & death certificates with the border crossing records. This is my mother's father and he died 2/3/1920 of influenza leaving her orphaned at the age of 2. Her mother and unborn brother died two days later. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.
Rhonda Merritt writes:
I am looking for anyone who may be able to help me find out the fate of any of my g-grandmother's relations that she left in Swindon when she emigrated to Australia early last century.
Lily Blanche ASTILL (my g-grandmother), was born 3rd September 1884 at 18 (or 19?) Victoria Street Swindon. After her death in 1949, my grandmother corresponded with her aunt, Mrs. MELLOR, until the aunt died in 1955. The family seemed to lose contact after that, and after my grandmother passed away in 1971 all possible knowledge of the family has been lost. As a result I have never known one single person from my grandmother's family and I would love to find any cousins I might have a few times removed.
Lily's father was Robert Astill, born in 1833 at Coventry, and moved to Swindon as young man and became foreman to Mr W. Dore's printing works in Victoria Street, later succeeding the business, carrying it on, and eventually transferring it to his sons.
Robert Astill died on June 15, 1915 at Zeals and was buried in Swindon beside his wife Margaret Delphi Considence Astill née HALL.
My great grandmother had 14 other siblings:
Debbie Haines writes:
I am trying to find out more about Herbert Thomas HAINES born 21st August 1886 in 5 New Oriel St, Swindon to Harriet Haines a domestic servant. In connection with this I would also like to find out more about the BROWNING family of Swindon. Sarah Jane Browning was present at Herbert's birth and looked after him I believe in Swindon after his birth. Any help regarding the Haines or the Browning family, Sarah Jane, Charles and daughter Minnie would be gratefully received.
Judy Arnold writes:
William HAGGARD married Mary KING, had a son David William HAGGARD born in Swindon April 16, 1838. David's baptism was at Wesleyan-Methodist Chapel, Swindon Circuit, June 3, 1838, minister James Roberts. I am looking for brothers or sisters of David or any information about his parents. David HAGGARD died in Minnesota, USA, September 7, 1919. I am his great granddaughter. We believe he stowed away on a ship out of Liverpool to America at about age 14. David's father William HAGGARD was a whitesmith in Swindon.
Chris Skeates writes:
I'm researching several lines of my family and hope that some one may have information they would like to share.
MEADER - the family came from Dorchester just after 1881 to Swindon to work in the GWR Railway Works, they lived mainly around the Rodbourne area. Would be interested for any information from 1900 onwards. Before 1881 there were no Meaders in Swindon - my line were the first.
SKEATES - the family came from around the Ogbourne St George area and moved to Swindon around 1885-1890. Most of them worked in the Railways and lived in the Railway Village. Would be interested in any information from 1900 onwards. Before 1891, there were no Skeates living in the Swindon area, my line was the first.
NA(I)SH - the family came from around Devizes and worked their way up through Wiltshire (Devizes, Stanton St Bernard, Ethchilhampton) and onto Swindon around 1881. There were already Na(i)sh's in Swindon before my line came. Would be interested in any information on this line. Most of them worked in the railways.
TUTT - this family came from Devizes area (Fisherton Anger) and came to Swindon around the 1880's. Most of them worked in the Railways and lived around the New Swindon area.
Also interested in WINKLESS (Swindon), SPACKMAN (Swindon), POYNTER (Swindon - originally from Longcot).
I have Birth and Marriage certificates on the above families if anyone is connected to these lines. I also have a researcher doing lots of research and obtaining more certificates.
Would be interested in anyone who may have a connection to these lines still living in the Swindon area.
Also looking for information on PEAPLE or PEOPLE. Family were living around the Rodbourne, Swindon area during the latter part of the 1800's.
William People born about 1861 married Emma born about 1862 Ramsbury. Children were Winnie born abt 1885, Frederick born about 1886, and Ethegart born about 1890, all in Swindon, Wilts.
William married in 1908 Swindon, and died in 1960. Looking for information on any sons and daughters that William had.
Sally writes:
Mark Charles WALKER b. 1895 in Aldbourne, Wilts. In 1920, he was a Storeman on GWR and lived at 27 Byron Road; in 1924 he was Storekeeper at 72 Telford Road, Swindon. Nothing else known except that he was decorated on the field of battle in WWI, and that he died in 1968.
Would like to try and fill in those missing years.
Adrian Rissone writes:
We're trying to get to the bottom of a mystery concerning my wife's mother, discovered only when we tried to get her a passport! She was born in 1927 in Stratton, Swindon (we think). Her Birth Certificate states surname as Giles but she has always been known as surname Jills. We'd like to know what her father's real name was and, if it was really Giles (Henry James?), why it was changed to Jills.
Darren Wheatley lists his Swindon area interests as:
WHEATLEY, Swindon / Highworth / Bourton 18c - 21c
COCKHEAD, Swindon / Bishopstone18c - 19c
COLLETT, Swindon / Highworth 19c - 20c
BRIDLE, Swindon 20c
SINGER, Swindon 19c - 20c
SWEETLAND, Swindon / Watereaton 19c - 20c
TIMBRELL, Swindon 19c - 20c
TITCOMB, Swindon / Watchfield 19c - 20c
Martin GJ Smith writes:
I am in the very early stages of creating my family tree and would appreciate any information to help get me started.
My family in the main originates from Carmarthenshire in West Wales, however my grandfather on my father's side came from Swindon. The bare details I have are:
Bernadette Siebert is looking for any SHAIL, particularly, Charles SHAIL married Susanna WOOLFORD 1831 and had 12 children. He was the sexton in Swindon.
Neil Biggs wrote:
I have unconfirmed clues which indicate that an ancestor Elizabeth HUMPHRIES was born in Swindon, Wiltshire about 1835. She is then thought to have married Thomas Henry BALL in about 1854 (in Marlborough ?) before leaving by ship for a new home in South Africa. At the time of leaving - 1858 - they possibly had 1 son George b:1855 and Elizabeth believed to have given birth to daughter Annie Priscilla on board the barque Priscilla en route in December 1858. Vessel Priscilla arrived in Durban, South Africa in March 1859.
The BALL family settled in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa and Elizabeth remarried James Norris FULLER - she died in 1925 just short of her 90th birthday!
Any confirmation of this family history, especially confirmation of her birth or marriage prior to leaving for South Africa would be greatly appreciated.
Graham Sheppard writes:
Seeking the descendants of James Charles SHEPPARD and wife Minnie. James was a blacksmith (born 1874, Market Lavington). He possibly moved to Swindon to work on the railways. They had 2 sons, probably born in Swindon: Cecil (b. c1914) and Ronald (b. c1918).
Bob Dean writes:
I am interested in linking to Charles Henry MILSOM who married Emily DEAN born 1872 Down Ampney. They married 5 July 1896 and were living at 15 Handel St Swindon in Feb 1909.
Shirley Newman writes:
I am researching Fisher/Bown/Bailey/Austin/Bowles/Rowland on female side, and Newman/Strange/Loveday/Willis/Sheppard/Driver/Maslin on paternal side.
These are in the Swindon and Stratton areas.
Ann M writes:
I am looking for Family Information on my great grandmother. I have traced her to Swindon, Her name is JANE HALL born about 1847. She married a WILLIAM MITCHELL SYME born abt 1845 in Scotland. This is all the information I have from the 1881 census.
They had seven children:
JOHN SYME BD.1870 SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
MARY E. SYME BD. 1872 SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
MARGARET A. SYME BD.1874 SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
AGNES SYME BD. 1876 SWINDON,WILSHIRE
WILLIAM M. SYME BD 1878 SWINDON,WILSHIRE
ALAN SYME BD 1880, NEWTON ABBOT, DEVON
ARCHIBALD SYME BD 1889, NEWTON ABBOT
ARCHIBALD SYME married SARAH BLAKE
They had a daughter MARJORIE SYME who was my mother. She married a JOSEPH HENRY BENNISON. My mother passed away when I was three months old. My father then married again and we left England to move to the USA. I never met my grand parents.
I am doing my family tree and this is as far as I have gone.
I am hoping that JANE HALL had brothers and sisters that stayed in Swindon. And maybe there are still some distant relatives. Any help would be much appreciated.
Sue Ward would be grateful for any information about her great grandfather. She writes:
I am researching my Great Grandfather Francis Stook Coleman.
He was born in Orchard Portman in Somerset and moved to Swindon in about 1880. He worked for the solicitors firm of Townsends in Cricklade Street and in 1906 became Mayor of Swindon.
Wayne Fox writes:
I am interested in finding any relatives connected to a Mr Eric William & Doreen Patricia Smith, married in Swindon Registry in the County of Wiltshire on 9/2/1957, as they are relatives of mine. Doreen was born in Blunsdon, Wiltshire on 21/8/ 1926 (born: Doreen Patricia Ingram).
Phyllis Rennells would like any information about the following families in either South Marston or Swindon:
TELLINGS
PINEGAR
HOWE
KINGHAM
DEACON
Sharon Burke writes:
The family I am looking for is Prosser. I'm not even sure yet if I have the right family, as I have not been able to find birth info for the daughter Doris (my grandmother).
I knew she had a brother named Harry. So, using the BDM search tool, I found a Doris Emily Prosser born in Gloucester in 1901. Using the same tool, I found a listing for Harry Prosser, also born in Gloucester 5 years earlier. I've looked at the 1901 census and found Harry Prosser living in Swindon in 1901 at the age of 4, so I'm pretty sure it's the same person. However, Doris was born in December 1901 and would have missed the census. So, I'm now trying to connect these two people and see if there is a subsequent connection to my father. Rather a round about way of getting to the info, but I hope it's the lead I've been looking for.
Leonie Baker writes:
Please is there anyone who is researching STROUD, I am looking for George and Leah STROUD that were in Swindon in the 1901 census with one child Edward.
Lynne Nields writes:
I am looking for any information of the name FULTON in Swindon in the 1880s. I have found a family on the 1881 census of Charles Fulton, wife and 5 children.
My great grandmother Ada Schofield was a housekeeper in Swindon in 1885/6 and lived at 10 Eastcott Hill, New Swindon. However, her child (born in Novebmer 1885) was illegitimate but was given the name Percival Arthur FULTON as a christian name. Reading between the lines I suspect that the name of the father was ??? FULTON.
Terry Button writes:
My father, John Nelson Button (born 12 June, 1893 in Swindon), was apprenticed as a mechanical engineer in Swindon in about 1908. I am trying to find out to whom he was apprenticed. Does anyone know if records were kept of the Indentures or were they only held by the firms themselves?
The reason that I am seeking this information, apart from adding the information to my family history notes, is that my father often talked about a prototype rotary engine that he worked on as an apprentice. They apparently had the engine running but could never extract sufficient power from it to make it a viable proposition. When the Wankel rotary engine first burst on the scene powering the NSU (now powering various Mazdas), I remember my father looking at cutaway drawings of the engine in a motoring magazine, laughing and commenting that it was based on a very similar concept to the engine he had worked on fifty years earlier.
If anyone has any suggestions as to how I might find out where Dad was apprenticed, I would be very grateful.
Eric Leggett writes:
Seeking more information on the families of LEE, LEA and CRUSE. Mainly located in Ogbourne St. George/Ramsbury area but with names found in Swindon area in the period 1830 - 1860 but could be much earlier. Would appreciate contact with others who may have information.
David Reynolds writes:
I am searching after the exact birth details of my ggrandmother Emily Mary Jane Poyner born c1852 around the Swindon area. Her father's name was William. Mother's name Martha ??, She married Ebenezer Austins in St. Stephens, Barbourne,Worcs, on 1st. Sept 1872, they had nine children, Archibald Reginald 1886, Dorothy May 1895, Elsie Beatrice 1889, Frederick William 1883, Arthur Albert 1885, Emily May 1876, Ida Lillian 1880, Ebenezer Ambrose 1873, Maggie Maud 1878. If anyone has a connection or info on the above all help would be appreciated.
I am also researching the Reynolds family that originated in the Gloucestershire area and moved to the Swindon Area about 1913. The following names appear in my tree so far. John Reynolds B c1815, married Lucy Pick. Andrew Reynolds B 18/12/1857, married Eliza Phelps. Ernest Reynolds B 11/10/1883, married Annie Stait. Ronald Reynolds B 3/3/1908, married Elsie Austen. If anyone recognises a connection, all help would be appreciated as I have lost touch with all my cousins out there.
Pat and Paul Blitvic write:
While in Wiltshire a couple of years ago we bought a clock on which is a metal presentation plaque. I have no connection with Wiltshire, but pursue my family history in Lancashire, however someone may be interested. The clock was presented to Mr. A.E. KINNEAR by Sanford St. Congretational Church on the occasion of his marriage on Aug. 2 1902.
Chris Ody writes:
I am interested in any info on my ODY ancestors, mainly from Lydiard Tregoze but also from Hook, Blunsdon, Purton, Ashton Keynes, South Marston, Swindon etc.
Liane Satie writes:
I am looking for the Page family:
Edward lived in 1879 22 Westcott Place New Swindon. Father William was deceased was a mason. Possibly have them at Blunsdon Rd in 1851. Would love a lookup of 1861 or 1871 census as my Edward wasn't born till approx 1859. Haven't been able to locate his birth though.
I am also looking for the Legg family.
Phillis lived in 1879 Upper Stratton, Stratton St Margaret. Her father was Thomas a labourer. In 1858 Thomas and Elizabeth lived at Penhill, Stratton St Margaret. Would also love a census check for this family.
Phillis's mother was Elizabeth nee Smith. Presume from the same area.
Does anyone have any of these names?
Tony Wilkins is seeking information about his grandfather, Thomas Litten (b. 1866) and his wife, Kate Elizabeth Cripps (b.1870) who married in South Marston in 1895. Their first two children, Winnifred Nora Litten and Muriel Lottie Litten were born in the village in 1897 and 1899 respectively. His grandfather following his move to Swindon about the turn of the century was associated with a Victor Telling in the course of his work as a master carpenter.
Valerie Fairbrass is seeking information about the STRANGE family, originally of Rodbourne Cheney, via Blunsdon St Andrew to Swindon.
She adds: "My website with Swindon Strange names is at:
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=vfairbrass"
Lynda Payne wrote:
My Grandmother was Ella Louise Smith b. 24/02/1902 in Swindon. She had one (older) brother that I know of - George. All searches to date have drawn a blank.
This is the extent of my knowledge so far. Can anyone please help get my tree off the starting blocks??? All advice gratefully received.
Trevor Hancock writes:
My 'Swindon families' are the Ryan and Thomas families who lived next door to each other in Westcott Street and were linked by the marriage of my Great Grandfather Michael Ryan (b India 1871, a Rivetter for the GWR) and Great Grandmother Maria Thomas. There were five children Thomas (b1897) Beatrice (b 1898) my maternal Grandfather James (b 1900) Eileen (b 1902) and Joseph (b 1905).The Ryan family was headed by my GG Grandfather Bartholmew Ryan (a labourer for the GWR who also served in India with the Royal Artillery) and his wife Mary Ann (née Ray). My G Grandfather's siblings were John (b 1873 India) Catherine (b 1880) Martin (b 1885) and Margaret (b1890). The latter three were all born at Highworth.
The Thomas family consisted of Francis Thomas (b 1849 Grittleton) a GWR Porter and his wife Emily (née Lewis) and their 13 children:
Mary, Maria (b1874 my GGrandmother), William, James, Rhoda, Beatrice, Rose, Henry, Florence, Frank, Arthur, Frederick (who was KIA serving with the 6th Bn Wiltshire Regiment in 1916) and Lilian.
I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has connections with the above two familiies.
John Bauman writes:
I am interested in Mortimer and Woodward families in the Swindon area.
Norma Thompson writes:
I intend to start my family history in the near future. My mother's maiden name was Camburn. She was vague about the family and the only real information I have is that her father was one of eight children and they originated from Swindon. Herbert, known as Sam, was her father, and other names I have are Alice, Fred, Wilfred (believed to have been born 1902), Jack (reputed to have been a one-eyed rum smuggler!), Dolly, Dulcie (possible married name Oldham), and Norman (had 3 children and a granddaughter called Celia who was still in Swindon in the 1990s).
If anyone can put me in touch with anyone from this family I would have a starting point.
Susan writes:
I am trying to locate my mother Jose Constance Adams, 23 Northampton Street Swindon or a member of her family. I would imagine she lived there from 1932-1954.
Annette Capel writes:
John Henry Smith (also known as Jack Smith): born January 8 1877 in Highworth, worked as an analytical chemist for the Central Argentine Railway in Rosario from 1911 until 1926. Parents names were Joseph Smith and Matilda Hardiman. I'd appreciate any information about John's early life/work in Swindon, and news of any other family members.
Edith Sarah Smith née Clark: married to John Henry Smith (see above), worked as a teacher at Euclid Street School on her return to England, until the late 1940s. Does anyone remember being taught by Mrs Smith?
Heather Coombs wrote:
My great grandparents Gabriel and Emily Mortimer had a grocery and off licence shop in 1895 at 14 Eastcott Hill. Emily also had a costumers at 30 Devizes Road, so was pleased to see a picture of Devizes Road. Have you any photos of Eastcott Hill? Also my great grandfather died in Eastcott Hill at a fire in his shed, I have no more details about this. My grandfather Tommy Boxall took over the shop until 1934.
Can anyone help Heather please?
Carole Helsen writes:
Until recently I thought my 3 x Great Grandfather James Panton born 1778 came from the London area. With the release of the 1851 census online I have discovered that his place of birth has been listed as Wiltshire Swindon. The transcriber has listed it in the typed records as Swanton, Wiltshire but I have enlarged it online and with magnifying glass and I'm certain it reads Swindon.
James married Ann Dalglish in St. Giles Camberwell in 1808 and does not appear on the 1861 census. Ann is described as a widow. I know nothing of his siblings or parents as am at present unable to do much research apart from online. It was obviously rare to be an only child at that time so I feel sure there must be some siblings born in the Swindon area during the years preceding 1778 or just after.
If any of your contributors or readers know of any other Pantons born in the Swindon area around that time I would be grateful to hear from them
Mandy Tasker writes:
I am looking for the Birmingham family, they lived at Corsham Road, John and Marie, John worked at Pleshy's? [Sounds like Plesseys] They had 3 children James, Phillip and Ruth.
I attended Headlands Grammar School in the late 1950s. My form teacher was Mr Bryant. I would love to be able to contact him, or any one else who was in my class at that time. Are there any old classroom photos that one can obtain on line? I live in Canada now, but would love to contact anyone from that time.
Mike Potts writes:
I am looking for any info regarding Walter JAGGARD born 1859 Swindon, (my wife's G G Father).
There is a mention of JAGGARD family in Wiltshire in 1861 census.
I believe he moved to Middlesex before marriage.
Teresa Corrigan writes:
I am researching the family of my birth mother Ethel May Jackson (neé Leonard), DOB approx 1905. Siblings:
Olive, emigrated to Canada
Beatrice - lived in Penhill - married name Gilbert -re-married aprox. 1964, 2 sons Merv (famous in Swindon for the band he had) and Freddie
Bet
Win (Minnow) 3 children, Barbara, Dorothy and ? George.
I was born at 19 Cambria Houses, Swindon 1945, birth name Kathleen Winifred Evelyn Jackson.
Rich Brown writes:
I am interested in finding more information on my great-great-grandfather, Walter Wallace, who was born in Swindon, Wiltshire, England on February 15, 1844. He immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1861 where he eventually settled in the town of Ashland. He died in February 1910 just days after his birthday and is buried in Brock Cemetery.
According to his obituary, he had two brothers still living in Swindon. I do not know their names. I would be interested in learning any information about the family history and in finding out if I have any Wallace relatives in Swindon.
Emily Cooney writes:
I am in Australia and looking for any-one connected to Clifford James Smith who married a Clara Bowering both from Swindon. They had a daughter, Eleanor Beatrice May Smith, b, Aug 4th, 1907, and I think 1 son. They emigrated to OZ about 1927. Anyone knowing anything of the family I would be interested to hear from them.
Esme writes:
I am interested in finding descendants of Harry Reynolds b c1885 Swindon married to Annie Geldert 1914.
Jan Buttriss writes:
Stephen Charles Taylor of 44 George St Swindon 1907-1988 was my Dad. He was an only child and orphaned at aged 11 son of Charlotte Caroline Taylor formerly Sexton née Curtis who was born in Salisbury Wiltshire 1865 and died l911 of cancer? at 44 George St Swindon. Her first husband was Vincent John Sexton born Oxford and a school teacher NO ISSUE. What happened to him I have no idea. His mother’s family who had little contact with the Taylor family brought up my father.
The Taylor family were Primitive Methodist in Swindon. My Dad was christened in Swindon Primitive Church and the Curtis were Church of England.
My Grandfather was Charles George Taylor 1851 born Hilmarton/Calne who married 3 times Elizabeth-Bertha. No Issue. Charles George Taylor worked for Great Western Railway as a machine man.
His Elder brother Aaron Newman Taylor was born 1848 Hilmarton and lived in Swindon with a family and worked Great Western Railway as Railway Warehouseman and also a Lay preacher for Primitive Methodist Church. His issue by 2 marriages? George 1872, James 1874, Elizabeth 1878, Frederick 1880 and Elsie who married.?...Clarke and went to Canada....also Mary Ann ..Nancy... Stella and Edward who was a school boy in 1926.
Aaron was alive in 1926 when at 19 my father was allowed to see his Uncle before he came to Australia on the MV Jarvis Bay in the first Big Brother Movement arriving Dec 1926. My Dad knew very little of his Taylor family and alway felt deprived of his family history. He was a pupil of Stanford St. Boys School Headmaster Willian D Bavin in 1920 I have a letter that Mr Bavin gave my Dad when he left Swindon.
Taylor Family:
Aaron Newman Taylor B 1849 Hilmarton
Charles George Taylor B 1851 Hilmarton
Sussanna Maria Taylor 1853 Hilmarton Married 1873 Joseph Slater??
Ellen Taylor B 1858 married ???
Bertha Taylor Born 1860 married Augustus Charles Comley
Their parents were James Taylor (Cordwainer) born Hilmarton and Mary née Newman (Dressmaker) of Thornbury Gloucestershire.
Sonja Pederson writes:
I am wondering if you can help me find a lady named Edna Sainsbury who lived in Moredon, Swindon, Wiltshire in the late 1960's and/or early 1970's? We exchanged several tape recordings and learned about one another lives and countrys but somehow lost track. I would be so pleased to find her and contact her again and share news of our families.Alison writes:
I'm researching the Massey family, and have been told that Margaret Massey (b approx 1905) lived in Swindon and married a man who was Mayor of Swindon in 1964 (I presume they married well before then!). Unfortunately I have no idea what his name was... wondered if anyone can help?
Margaret Pavljuk writes:
Researching the names Woolford, Price, and Freer. Robert Woolford married Mary Price 8 August 1808 in Rodbourne Cheney Wiltshire, which i am told is now part of Swindon. They had 13 children. Interested in whereabouts of all children's lines. Elizabeth married J Freer, 1845 in Swindon. They had 14 children several died in Swindon.
Bettine (Tina) Symons (née New) writes:
Only recently did we find each other. Our time at Headlands was from 1943 to 1948. Names are:
Diana, née Collier, now Jones, Patricia, née Turner, now Chapman, Tina (Teeny), née New, now Symons.
The rest of our good humoured school 'gang' were, as far as we remember, Dorothy (Dossie) Bradfield, Beryl Pestridge, Sheila O'Brien, and Pamela Drewett.
My own sporting 'hero' at the time was John Maynard, winner of the mile race.
We would love to hear from anyone at all who was in the same year as we were at Headlands - perhaps to organise a reunion.
Annie Mueller writes:
I am from the u.s. and I'm looking to find someone I lost contact with. His name: Steven Joseph Adams. He lived in Swindon, Wiltshire.
If there's anyway you can find anything on him, I would greatly appreciate it.
The only info I remember was he would be around 43 now. Birthdate is 6/21/62 I believe. I know it's 6/21 though. Not real sure of the year. He lived in Swindon, Wiltshire. He worked out of someone's home but he did something with export I believe. He told me that he was originally from Ireland. His parents died in an automobile accident. He had a brother Ian who had moved to the US. He in turned moved to the UK.
[Jim Fisher note 1: I assume that date means 21st June!]
Michael Oates writes:
ROGERS, FORSTER
In the early years of the 20th C, William James ROGERS, 1852-1910 and wife, Mary Jane (SLUGGETT) 1857-? raised a family in Swindon, after moving up from Devon, where they married in 1880 in East Stonehouse. Living memory recalls about 6 more or less adjacent houses in South Street eventually being occupied by the extended family in the 1930s. Does anyone know anything of them and their descendants? I have a large portfolio of photographs etc to share, and no leads at all. Their children were known as Tom, Bill, Harry, Jack, Ada (married a Robert FORSTER) and at least two others. The first 3 boys served in
WW1, including in India. Tom and Bill certainly survived. The three FORSTER children were Robert Cyril, Grace and Joyce. "Cyril" was ordained a priest and emigrated to the USA.
Roy Gilmore(?) writes:
I am doing research for my family tree and I have found that the most difficult part of this work is tracing my relative from 1900 onwards. My father's family lived at the turn of the last century in Oxford St. His father was George Watson Gilmore, a railway worker, and his mother was Marth née Fox. this marriage produced 12 children, 5 daughters and 7 sons,all the sons served in WW1 and survived.I have traced most of them now but very few of their children except for my aunt Beatrice, she married Frank Glover, and in 1908 they moved to a village in S.Wales just a few miles from where I now lived. If there is anyone with information that would help me I thank you in anticipation. I was born 1939 in Carr St. near the filled-in Wilts and Berks Canal.
Josephine Wiesner writes:
I was born in Swindon Wilts. My mother's name was Winifred Grace. She passsed away last year and I would like to get in contact with some of her family. Her wishes were for me especially to go back to England and scatter her ashes around the area she was born. She lived on Albert St. She was 81 years old. I was 2 years old when I left England and never had the opportunity to return there, but it has become my mission to try to find some of my family if at all possible and take my mama back home where she belongs.
Gary writes:
I am researching the history of Drove Road Swindon, in particular the site of Steel's Garage. If you have any details of this business and could take the time to email me it would be most appreciated. Any photos of the site past or present would be a bonus. I believe the following two gentlemen were something to do with the garage at the time I am interested in: Mr. F.W.FRANCILLON and Mr. CLARKE.
Katie Armitage writes:
I have been recently doing some research and would like to try to clear up a few things. I found my (possible) GGG Grandfather and his family lived at 1 Marlborough St, Swindon, Wiltshire, England. His name was John G. Armitage (b: abt 1837 or 1845). His wife was Margaret (b: abt 1843) and their children Percy G. (my GGgrandfather, b: abt 1874), Evelin M. (b: abt 1877) and Edith A. (b: abt 1879). This information was obtained from the 1881 England census.
I am trying to determine whether or not this Percy G. is, in fact, my GG grandfather. I know his name is Percy G. and his father's name was John G. but the information I got from the 1910 US census conflicts years of birth. The England census gives a year of birth for John of about 1845 and US 1837. Years of birth for Percy are about the same for both England and US census. I do know my gg grandfather and his father came to the US in 1886. Percy married Josephine Teare and had Percy G. Armitage Jr. (my great grandfather).
Frauke Ehrhardt writes:
I'm searching of a man called Norman Smith from Swindon. He was stationed in Germany, in the near of Osterode, Niedersachsen, near the Harz in or after the 2nd world war on the year 1947 or on year earlier or later, I don't know the date exactly. He met a girl called Elizabeth in Osterode. I'm her granddaughter. I'm searching of him or someone of his family or any information about them. Can anyone help me?
Bruce Reilly writes:
My grandfather was Jack Ruddle I believe he was born around 886 in Swindon, married Eva Ross about 1912 or 1913. I also am led to believe that he had either half family or step family named Skeates, will this help anybody in their searches.
Jane E. Shutt writes:
I am trying to find as much as I can about my grandmother, Emily Newbury. She married Charles Pickering and lived in Cuckney, Nottinghamshire and later in Spinkhill, Derbyshire. They had two daughters, Freda who died in about 1968 and Joan Helen (my mother). Emily died in about 1947.
I have (admittedly vague) memories of being taken to Swindon to meet cousins of my mother when I was quite young, probably in the 50s.
Carolyn Ford writes:
The information I have is Richard Preddy born 1844 in Wanborough married Eliza???? I am trying to link Richard to the Preddy's (Priddy) or (Pretty) of Swindon - Lydiard Millicent/Lydiard Tregoze. My gggrandfather George Preddy (married to Elizabeth Edmonds of Hook) came to New Zealand in 1874 from this area.
Look forward to hearing from anyone who may be connected to my family tree. Other family names from the Millicent/Tregoze area are Farmer, Henley, Dafter
Nancy Jones writes:
I realize that this is a shot in the dark but.--I am searching for my great-grandfather Edward Smith. He was grocer residing in Swindon in 1919. That is all I know as he is listed on my grandmother's marriage certificate (Florence Jessie Smith) in 1919. He did not marry my great-grandmother (Jeanette Aldridge)and my grandmother was raised as a foster child in Lambeth. Family stories indicate that he continued contact with his daughter Florence by supporting her financially.
Leanne Phillipson writes:
I'm interested to getting some information on a Diana Patricia Smith born 31/10/45. This was her maiden name.
If you any information on this name can you please email me.
Jim Fisher note: See also the next entry:-
Sarah writes:
I am looking for a lady called Diana Patricia Smith. She was born in October 1945. Her address at this time was Kings Avenue, Highworth, Swindon, Wiltshire. I do not know whether she is still in this area or not. She has two brothers and two sisters. I would be grateful to hear from any of them. Maybe one or more family members are still in the area.
Jim Fisher note: See also the previous entry.
Debra Tyler writes:
I am searching for information or contact with descendants of John TYLER b. 3.3.1851 in Coleford d. 20.11.1925 in Swindon. Parents were William and Frances TYLER (née BAKER)
John married Harriet Sarah HOARE in 1881 and had three children - Elsie Maria b. 1882, George William b. 1884, James Hoare b. 1886 d. 1951, Frances Lillian Kate b. 1887.
Lyn Dawson writes:
I would like to trace family members who would be the grandchildren or great grandchildren of James Smith. He had moved to Swindon from Tiverton in Devon, met and married my grandmother May or Annie M...... early in 1900-1905 and they lived in Redcliffe Street. My grandfather James Smith had one or two sons with his first wife. One son was named James and known as Jim Smith. Jim Smith had two sons Jim and Roy, and they both lived in Rodbourne in the 1950s. They all worked in the Great Western Railways. My grandparents James and May Smith had a daughter Elsie May born in 1906 and a son, my father Thomas Alfred in 1915. I remember dancing with Roy and his fiancée at his brother Jim's wedding in the early 50s.
Patricia Gerrand writes:
My Great Grandfather, Frederick George Humphries was born in Marshfield, 19th March 1858. He married Eliza Brown 8th June 1878 in the Register Office Highworth but no father is entered on the marriage certificate. He was a shop clerk in the Railway factory. He died of consumption in 1885. He had four children, my grandfather Frederick William James Humphries (1879), Elizabeth Emma Humphries (1881), Alice Maud Humphries(1883) and George Herbert Humphries (1884-1885).
I realise that a lack of a father's name on a certificate can mean illegitimacy. The 1861 Census shows a Frederick Humphries born 1858 at Sodbury, Gloucester to Ephraim and Sarah Wooton.
Katie Payne writes:
I am trying to trace the history of W.S. PERRY and A.G. PERRY.
Their address was Windswept, Belmont Crescent, Swindon - I don't know when they lived there ( many many years ago I suspect) as I have researched that this property is now owned by the council and provides mental health services.
I have an identity bracelet for each of them which gives their names (only initials unfortunately not full christian forenames) address and the following;- W R K G 232/1 and W R K G 232/1.
If anyone can help with the history of Windswept or what these codes mean, I'd be most appreciative.
Judy Morris writes:
My grandfather was William Harry Hiett and he was born in the Swindon area. I was wondering if you knew of anyone searching this name.
Frances Cronin writes:
Am searching for family details as follows:
Michael Francis Deane B. Cork Ireland 1898. Married M Morrissey (Killkenny Ireland)
They had 4 Children, Mary, Michael, Katherine & John
The family lived in Swindon Wiltshire. Michael F Died in 1953 & wife Mary died in 1983
Son John Deane believed to still reside in Swindon Wilts.
Sue Thomas writes:
Can anyone help? I'm looking for any reference relating to a Charles Weeks who was a butcher in Ferndale Road, Swindon between 1935 and 1945.
Susan Savard writes:
I am looking for information on the John Reynolds line. John was born in Rodbourne Cheney in 1815. He was married to Elizabeth Ann Godwin in the parish church in 1844. They emigrated to New York USA 1845 and then to MIchigan. He had a brother Henry ( born in Rodbourne Cheney 1822-1907) who emigrated to Michigan USA in 1850. He had a sister Keziah (born Rodbourne Cheney 1842) who married, had a son and was buried in Hereford. There appears to have been an Aunt named Rachel. The father's name was also John and like father Godwin, John was a Blacksmith by trade. John (son) was a gardener for we think the Cheney Manor. He became a farmer in the US. Unable to find out who Keziah married or name of her son. Looking for father John's wife and where both were born. There may have been other siblings. Given Keziah's birthdate John may have married more than once. Any other information found would be gratefully received
Frances West writes:
I am very interested to hear from anyone connected to the Powell family in Stratton St Margaret and the Swindon area. I have been gathering information for the family tree. I have found out that one ancestor: James Powell 1858 was killed by stepping in front of a train and another Daniel Powell died in 1874 after being kicked by a horse. There is a Grave Stone in memory of him in the Wiltshire area. Another, Daniel Powell born 1886 never returned home after serving in WW!. He was a Cpl. in the Royal Engineers. His wife was Julia and I know of two of his daughters - Violet May Powell and Winifred Annie Powell.
Bill Wakeley writes:
I am interested in any research on Wakeleys in Wiltshire, Swindon related to Beston Wakeley.
Bronwyn Fraley writes:
One of my ancestors was Robert Moss in the 1891 Census he was living at 17 Westcott Place, Swindon, he was blacksmith on the GWR. He would have been born about 1846 in Bristol. 1901 census he was living at 20 Theobald St, Swindon. His wife was Matilda (Lines?) and they had children:
Thomas a boiler maker on the GWR
Alice
Ada
Rose
Arthur
Robert
Lillie.
Any information gratefully sought.
Cathy Baxter writes:
My ancestors came from Swindon. Their names were John Crook and Elizabeth Woodley. Their son, William Crook, is buried in Swindon. They left Swindon about 1850, came to Canada and settled in London, Ontario. I am the family historian. I live in Burlington, Ontario. I am coming to Swindon this summer to look up their home and the grave of William.
Patricia Lewis writes:
I am looking for descendants of:
William Gale. Born Clyffepypard Wiltshire 1851
Mary Jane Edwards. Born Devizes Wiltshire 1849
They Married in June 1878 Devizes Wiltshire.
Children
Edith Emily: Born 1880 Swindon Wiltshire
Susan Elizabeth: Born 1881 Highworth Swindon
Claris Mabel: Born 1884 Highworth Swindon
Agnes Amelia: Born 1886 Highworth Swindon
William: Born 1888 Highworth Swindon
Samuel N.J: Born 1891 Highworth Swindon
Gertrude Lucy: Born 1894 Highworth Swindon
Etheline Sarah: Born 1897 Highworth Swindon Died: Mount Gambier Sth Australia 1956.
I do believe William and his two Sons worked with the railways in Swindon.
Helen Foster writes:
I am researching BOWLES / GRUBB / ANGEL. I live in Australia and my great grandparents Thomas Grubb m. Sarah Ann Bowles emigrated to Queensland in the late 1800s.
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