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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Devon => Topic started by: Michelle79 on Friday 29 June 12 23:04 BST (UK)
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I am trying to locate information on a shop that used to be in Barnstaple Devon.
The shop was a bakers and was located on Litchdon Street although I don't know the number. it was owned by George French (My GGG Grandfather), I belive that the business was in Barnstaple since around 1842 but I can't be sure it was always in Litchdon Street.
In 1882 the business was passed to George French Jnr who carried on running it as a bakers, he was definately still there in 1911 as the census shows it.
I would love to locate a photo of the store front or a street photo with the shop visible but so far I haven't been able to find any photos of the street that provide this.
Any suggestions would be greatly recieved, or if anyone has in there posession a photo and would be willing to share that would be even better.
Many thanks
Michelle
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Hi Michelle, cannot assist with a photograph I am afraid, but searching the 1891 for Litchdon Street tells me that at number 5 was George & Eliza French and family, George being a Bread Baker b Barnstaple c 1845, at number 3 was the Liberal Club.
In 1881 Geoge and his father George, were at number 26, both shown as Baker & Confectioners Census Ref RG11/2244/128/32 again in 1871 George snr is shown as a Master Baker, and son William aged 24 a Baker once again in Litchdon Street Census Ref RG10/2184/55/27 and in 1861 George occ Bread Baker and family, are at Queen Street, Barnstaple Census Ref RG09/1489/17/27 and in 1851 the family were in Boutport Street, Barnstaple, George being a Bread Baker Census Ref HO107/1892/144/30.
1841 they were in Litchdon Street, George being a Baker Census Ref HO107/203/13/21
In 1851 a John Andrew aged 43 was also a Bread Baker in Litchdon Street b Swimbridge, Devon
Census Ref HO107/1892/337/7
Keyboard86
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Hi Michelle
I've not been able to track down a photo of the shop in the collection of books of old Barnstaple I have, but if it's still there (& I think it is, although some houses in Litchdon Street have gone) I could take a modern photo. The house numbers given in the Censuses don't tally (No5 & No 26) but I think they must be the same property as I checked the distance of the French's business from the Exeter Inn, which is still there, and the gap is the same (6 houses) in both 1881 & 1891. Let me know if you'd like this. It might be worth contacting North Devon Record Office - they could let you know if they have any old photos of the street and property
Steve
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Hi Steve,
Many thanks for the kind offer, If it's not to much trouble a modern photo would be great.
Once I've finished up my research I'm planning to put together a book of my ancestry and as I'm not lucky enough to have lots of photo's of my ancestors I was going to use pictures of places they lived/worked to add something visual.
I'll also contact the records office and see if they have an old photo or can suggest anywhere else that may have.
Many thanks again
Michelle
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No problem Michelle - I'll try to get down to town later this week
Steve
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If you enter 'Litchdon Street Barnstaple' into Google, it pulls up a map which is interactive and enables you to look at a street view and 'stroll' along the street. You can even see street numbers on the properties.
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Hi Michelle
Had a look at Litchdon Street today - No5 has been demolished, along with 2-4 and a car park stands on the site. If the numbers now are the same as 1911, I'm afraid you'll have to chase up the Record Office to see if they have anything. DOB7's suggestion for seeing the street via Google is a great idea for getting a sense of what the area was like - its now a small one-way back street (mostly residential at the end away from the town) but it was once the main road to Exeter and houses a wonderful 17th century Almshouse. I have also sent you a PM
Steve
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Hello Michelle,
Think that my ggg grandfather was also George French, Baker of Barnstaple. I am descended from Elizabeth Jane French, his eldest daughter, who moved to London to work as a cook at the Royal Free Hospital. She married James Withers and they had a daughter, Amelia, who then gave birth to my grandfather, Joseph Webb.
Did you get very far with your research?
Paul U
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Hi Paul,
I believe that you are right when you say we share the same ggg grandfather, I've done some research on George French (Elizabeth's brother) .... he had a really interesting life. Also I have researched Elizabeth's 2 sisters Selina and Emma. (Emma being my gg grandmother).
I'd be happy to share the information I have :)
Michelle
Hello Michelle,
Think that my ggg grandfather was also George French, Baker of Barnstaple. I am descended from Elizabeth Jane French, his eldest daughter, who moved to London to work as a cook at the Royal Free Hospital. She married James Withers and they had a daughter, Amelia, who then gave birth to my grandfather, Joseph Webb.
Did you get very far with your research?
Paul U
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Dear Michelle,
It would be great to see your research. I am still astounded that my family originated from Devon, as I spent many years in Plymouth without realising the connection.
My family tree is uploaded to Ancestry.co.uk and it shows a clear route from Elizabeth French, showing how my family evolved from her time. If you cannot access that website, then I will be happy to send all my info to you.
Paul
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Dear Michelle,
Sorry, forgot to mention, my family tree is listed as Underwood on Ancestry.co.uk
Paul
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Hi not sure if this thread is still open! George French is my ggg grandfather too. His son George's was at 5 Litchdon St (now demolished) but George French senior's original bakery is at the other end of Litchdon Street and is still there.
George French senior and his wife Sarah are buried together in the churchyard a stone's throw from where they lived in Litchdon Street.
I have a photo of George (my gg grandfather) if you are interested.
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Hello Judith and welcome to Rootschat. Hopefully Michelle and Paul haven't changed their emails, and get notification of your post. Neither of them have been active on Rootschat for some time.
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Hi Judith,
Really glad to hear from you, I haven't done much research for a while due to so family matters but am trying to get back to it now.
Currently on maternity leave and waiting on my little one to arrive so perfect time to try and catch up.
I had a feeling that one of the shops would have been demolished but very interesting that one is still there 😀
If you are willing to share the photo you have this would be brilliant, unfortunately no photos from that side of the family seemed to have survived or were ever passed onto my mum or nan.
Would love to keep in touch and see if there is any info that we can swap, I'm expecting little one any day now ( was actually due today but she's late ) but I'll keep an eye on my email for any responses.
Michelle
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Hello Judith,
I would be delighted to have a photo of George French. I think its wonderful that the bakery is still there. My late mother was very a talented cake decorator and I don't think she ever knew that her family were bakers/ confectioners, so its obviously in the genes.
Speak soon
Paul
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Hi all. First of all, congratulations Michelle on the impeding arrival of the latest Frnch descendant. Good luck!
I will try and attach a photo of George French junior in the next day or so.
George French senior's first bakery, as far as I can tell, was on Boutport Street in Barnstaple. It's now the offices of estate agents Midwinter Koval so if you Google them you will find a picture of the building.
He then moved to Litchdon Street, 26 I think, which is opposite the alms houses. The building is still there but it's flats now (one for sale at the moment I think - funnily painted pink and yellow property if you look it up online).
His son George seems to have stayed in litchdon street, but George senior and family moved to Queen Street in Barnstaple. Most of that has gone I think. And then they seem to have gone back to Litchdon Street!
George senior's wife Sarah Gillingham is very interesting. She outlived George by about 14 years and lives the latter part of her life in the beautiful old alms houses on Litchdon street.
Don't know if you've researched her at all? She was born in Sidmouth in south Devon, but the Gillingham family came from just over the border in Dorset. Interestingly, I have been able to trace the Gillingham line in Dorset (in the village of Lydlinch) back to the mid 1500s. They also had an alternative surname "Farr" or "Farre" as they were all blacksmiths, a very well respected trade in those days.
One of the Gillingham family had a Hardy (not Thomas, but probably a relative) as a witness at their wedding.
Hope you find this interesting and not a load of info you knew already!!
I walk past George and Sarah's grave on my way to and from work very often and I always say hi
X
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I believe most of Queen Street and surrounding streets was cleared and rebuilt. Some of my ancestors lived in Queen Street and Silver Street.
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Hi there
attached is a photo of George French Junior, with his wife Eliza China, their daughter Selina, and granddaughter Winifred Harper.
Winifred Harper was my gran.
Could you let me know if this is received?
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That is absolutely brilliant.
Do you have any other photos of the family.
I reached a bit of a dead end with George and Sarah, do you have their dates of death. Please say a littte hello from me, the next time you walk past their graves. Which church are they buried in? Also the info on the Gillingham family is fascinating, I would love to hear about it.
I am descended from Elizabeth, George and Sarah's eldest daughter. I tracked her to a hotel in Lynton in 1861. She had moved to London by 1871 and married James John Withers. She was a cook at the Royal Free hospital. Haven't found out if she met James in London or whether she followed him back to London after meeting in Devon. She had 2 children, but sadly passed away in 1895.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Good luck Michelle with the new baby.
Paul
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Hi Paul
George French died 17 March 1888. His parents were William French and Jane Cotty.
Sarah Gillingham died 12 April 1902. Her parents were Robert Gillingham and Elizabeth Hart.
George and Sarah's son George French Junior (my gg grandfather) joined the navy when (I think!) he was only 14. I have attached a picture of the ship he served on in the West Indies and the Eastern seaboard of the USA.
Are you on ancestry.co.uk?
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Sorry I also meant to say that George & Sarah are buried in Holy Trinity Barnstaple. I will take a photo next time I walk past and put it on here.
Michelle - how are you?
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Hi Judith, thanks for the photos it's really nice to see them.
I'm fine thank you, little one is being stupor and is now a week late 😀 Have been getting all my records out today and making some updates, it's good to get back into things.
Am hoping that it'll be me comfortable one little one is here and I can do a lot more.
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Great photo, thank you. I think I found you on ancestry yesterday, is it the Thompson family tree. You have done a great job tracking the family back so far. I think its wonderful that they came from Dorset,as I have always loved that county and wasn't aware of the connection.
Speak soon
Paul