RootsChat.Com
Some Special Interests => Travelling People => Topic started by: muriel walker on Sunday 02 July 06 20:59 BST (UK)
-
At last - A site where others are seeking hawkers! Mine, too, were either basket weavers or travelling potters, then later became licensed hawkers. Your correspondence reveals why - obviously when the licence became obligatory. Some of mine, too, became horse dealers, and my father, who was born in 1898, clearly remembered watching his father dyeing a horse and changing it from brown and white to totally brown!. (So not entirely on the straight and narrow at all times ) T(Though my father , after a stint in the Army, became a policeman!) I would dearly like some suggestion as to where I might find them before 1861. Their surname was Foster, and they settled for the winter in Nassington in Northamptonshire. I know that they travlled aout, as, at one time, my 2x great-grandfather is camped in a caravan in Weston, Hertfordshire. (1871 census) I have tried all possible version of their name, and searched all census returns back to 1841 with no luck at all. Does anyone know if there is a website which details where fairs/ horse fairs were held in the 1800's.? I might be able to link the children's birthplaces in to some of the places. Thanks for your interest.
-
Hi Muriel
Welcome to Rootschat
There is a small section with links to fair dates/places etc. on the following page http://users.nwon.com/pauline/Travellers.html
However, I have found that many smaller town/village fairs weren't always listed in this type of list.
If it's any consolation, I haven't managed to find my travelling ancestors on a census prior to 1861 either - most likely because those not living in houses as part of a normal household weren't required to be enumerated prior to then :(
Casalguidi
-
Thank you for such a quick reply. I shall have many happy hours looking throough details on the website you recommend. If you are right about those not living in houses not needing to be enumerated on the various census returns pre 1861, then it's going to be so hard to find the travellers! Your suggestion is born out by the fact that, on the 1861 census, I have found my 2x great grandmother living in Nassington with the two youngest boys, but of the rest of the family I can find no trace until they turn up in caravans on the 1871 census. Many thanks.
-
Hi Muriel
my gggrandfather was William Foster b.1839 nassington [hawker - horse dealer] his wife's name was Ann, they lived in nassington but on the 1881 census they were living in Fosters yard eastgate peterborough, they had five children.
Isabella b.1862 nassington........my ggrandmother
Benjamin b.1864 nassington
William b.1867 nassington
Emma b.1872 peterborough
Ann b.1876 peterborough
was any of the above from line? if so i have census and info id be happy to share with you
regards
Moet
-
i have foster in my family, my great grandparents were james g webb and ellen foster, they married in the royston district around 1910...
:)
-
Re Fosters in Northamptonshire. Hello. I have just joined RootsChat in order to find out about the Foster family in Peterborough/ Nassington Northants as they are my ancestors. My GG Grandparents were William and Annie Foster. I am the G/Granddaughter of William Foster their youngest Son who died aged 39 years of age in 1906.
William and his parents William and Annie Foster are buried in Peterborough Broadway Cemetery. I visit from time to time. William married Emma Simmonds and they had 3 children. Charles, Thomas and Daisy. I descend from Charles Foster. Please reply with any information or details you may have regarding Foster descendants.. Thanks.