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...

EUGENIE MARIA MARY CRETON JAY  The Affair: An 1875 engraving shows a man snooping on his wife as she meets with her lover …   This weeks theme is difficult, it is like picking a favourite child. I rather like my 2x Great Grandmother's middle and chosen name, Rosella, but I have already written about her in a previous post:  52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Mothers Day (mypynthdev.blogspot.com)   Incidently my mother said, if she had known the name before I was born she would have chosen it for me. I'm not sure how I would have felt about that as child/teenager. Another name that has drawn me over the years is Catherine Sophia Lissa Woodley and whilst she had, in my opinion, a lovely name, she has an interesting story of her own to tell, I have already written her story:  Catherine Sophia Lissa Woodley: Sister of Mercy (mypynthdev.blogspot.com) So who have I chosen for this weeks post? Well she does have a nice name, but I have for some reason been drawn to her, since s...

WOMENS HOME INDUSTRIES A Post War Home Workers Story  This post was inspired by a dress.* A family member manages a charity shop (thrift store, op shop) for The Plymouth Drake Foundation and received a donation of a bag of vintage dresses. Amongst these were some by the designer, Emma Hanbury and one that had all the elements of haute couture construction and made of silk. The label inside was:- I was asked to see if I could find any information about Dorothy Law of 10 West Halkin St, Belgrave Square, London, sadly I was unable to pinpoint the lady. However what I did find was a post war band of home workers utilising their needle skills to earn "dollars" for the UK economy. This is the story of Womens Home Industries of no.11 West Halkin Street. In post war Britain, there was a need to rebuild the countries economy, it was seen that there was a wealth of talented women, that could be given practical work that they could undertake at home. Under the instigation of Stella Isaa...

Travel in the late 19th century Paddlesteamers Whilst aware of train and horsedrawn travel in this era, I had forgotten the large number of paddle steamers working in the UK. Living in Ilfracombe for several years, I was well aware of the paddle steamers that plied the route between South Wales (Swansea) and Ilfracombe, but I hadn't realised how many other area's were accessed by this form of travel. I have previously sourced my Great Uncle's journal for a section written about his memories of being a child member of the Salvation Army and the conflict associated with The Skeleton Army. This week I am again sourcing a paragraph from this journal. George Arthur Perry 1851-1934 was a Sanitary Inspector, working for Paddington Council. Working in London, he was living in St John's Wood, his wife Jessie nee Pope, died in March 1891, it would appear that very soon after this he began a relationship with Jessie's nurse, Edith, who was now employed as Nanny to Arthur and ...

 What was my Grandfather doing in FREETOWN: SIERRA LEONE in 1938/39? Another family mystery! MAURICE FREDERICK PERRY 1901-1978 Part II I am most fortunate to have a family that have led eventful lives, but sometimes it feels like I am forever having to put on my 'Nancy Drew' hat to try and uncover yet another mystery. I left my Grandfather Maurice Frederick Perry , in a previous blog, having been medically retired from the RAF in the 1920's and having had a medical review where there was concern that there may be an underlying Mental Health problem that needed to be monitored. Maurice Frederick Perry 1901 - 1978: MILITARY (mypynthdev.blogspot.com) Maurice married my Grandmother, Alice Esther Emma Pitts at Cudham church in 1924. My father was born a few years later and Maurice had several different businesses during those early years, including a motor mechanic garage and a coal merchant, it is believed that these did not go well financially. In the 1930's the family mov...

  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...