In search of the family

  Prevelant Diseases of the 18th and 19th century in Kent, England: Cholera, Typhoid and "Marsh Fever." When looking at my Pye family tree, it was quite noticeable how many of my ancestors of the 18th and early 19th century did not make 'old bones', many of those who survived infancy and childhood, appeared to die in their 30's and 40's. Whilst these ages may in fact not be too varied from the national average of the time, it must be remembered that, this average was affected by a high incidence of infant mortality. However, this family were relatively affluent, families of Yeoman farmers, so whilst dependant on crop yields, they were not born to poverty. Death certification and registration did not become law until 1837, so what could be the reason for the relative young ages at death?  My Pye family  ancestors were based in the north and central area of Kent, close to Rochester, Sittingborne and the Isle of Sheppey. My Randolph family ancestors were from the...

  GEORGE RANDOLPH died 1800 AN UPDATE: This is a follow on post to a blog I wrote in Week 15 of Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, discussing my current brickwall related to my 4x Great Grandfather, George Randolph. 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 15. Brick Wall (mypynthdev.blogspot.com) It was whilst posting on a forum I use regarding birthplaces of my family and stating I was unsure where this ancestor was born, that another member kindly offerred to help. GL was based in Scotland and via herself and another anonymous lady between managed to present such evidence that I am happy to state that it is with little doubt that George Randolph who died in Lydd in 1800 is the George Randolph, son of William and Elizabeth baptised in Lydd in September 1776. As with such discoveries one question is answered and several others then need to be investigated but it is good to be one step forward. This is however, the various documents and the process of their discovery that helps pro...

  MR JOHN RANDOLPH Esq. 1797-1877 SURGEON:  My 3x Great Grandfather   www.sciencemuseum.org.uk   John Randolph was born on 23 rd September 1797, the son of George Randolph ( Blog 1 ) a Glasgow Grocer and Tobacconist, of Kings Street, Glasgow and Catherine nee Lepper of Lydd, Kent, England. Unfortunately, his father died in 1800, it would appear the family were living in the maternal family’s parish of Lydd in Kent at this time and yet he appears to have gained his education in Glasgow attending school there from 1811 to 1813. He is still in Glasgow in 1818, where he marries William Mary Wilson ( Blog 2 ) on the 26 th of October, the document identifies him as a student at this time. Later Medical Registers suggest that he may have commenced his medical training in Scotland. However, he and his new wife moved back down to Kent, England shortly after their marriage. Their eldest daughter, Catherine (named after her paternal Grandmother) Jane being baptised at New R...

MARGERY ROSELLA RANDOLPH 1823-1863 This week I am focusing my blog on my 2x Great Grandmother, Margery Randolph, more regularly documented as 'ROSELLA'. Margery was the 4th child and 3rd daughter of Surgeon John Randolph and his wife, William Mary.  She was born in New Romney Kent in 1823 and was baptised there on 1st June 1823. The Romney Marsh area of Kent historically has been described as; 'one of the most sickly and unhealthy places in Kent.' Despite this John and William Mary managed to bring up 5 physically healthy children, just their 6th child Jane Blizard died at the young age of 4 in 1830, because this was in the years before registrations there is no documentary evidence of the cause of death. However the family moved to Westminster in London in 1834, where her younger sister Margaret Isabella, married at a young age of 15/16 in 1837 and died a year later of TB. Rosella married George Pye, a surgeon and the youngest son of a Gentleman farmer, Thomas Pye at t...

 The infamous     BRICKWALL I have already written about one of my Brickwalls that came tumbling down several years ago. My Great Grandfather, George Arthur Pye/Perry was my first post in the 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks challenge of 2021. GEORGE ARTHUR PERRY 1851-1934: WHO ARE YOU MR P? (mypynthdev.blogspot.com) Another of my ongoing Brickwalls is Valentine Muller, who I have already written about too. 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 6. Valentine (mypynthdev.blogspot.com) A third brickwall which has also crumbled is that of George Richard Westcott, the first husband of my 3x Great Grandfather's 2nd wife, who appearred to disappear off the face of the earth, but once I found him, I found him associated with a theatre family. His story is written here. George Richard Westcott 1831-1882 & Sarah Hall 1833-1902 (mypynthdev.blogspot.com) As I feel it may be cheating to use any of these people who I have already written about, in blog posts, I will write about my 4x Great G...

 POWER This is a thought-provoking title, with so many possibilities and so many ancestors that may fit one or other definitions of ‘Power.’ My initial thoughts were related to Power as in Officialdom including political, judicial, or religious. So, I have not discovered any links to Royalty, the majority of us cannot verify any claim to Royal descendance other than with DNA evidence. Having said that I do have an ancestor who in his time was thought of as ‘The King of the Hundreds’ but his story fits to another of the themes in the future. I have not discovered any Members of Parliament either, but I have found several JP’s. There are several clergymen who would fit the bill, having the power to change people’s lives with their acts and ministry around socially deprived areas in London.   Equally there are others that have used their religious ‘power’ to be sponsored by many a wealthy lady of their parish. Again, I hope to one day write up their stories but not necessar...