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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Worcestershire => Topic started by: JacobeaM on Wednesday 24 July 13 19:52 BST (UK)

Title: Worcestershire Huguenots
Post by: JacobeaM on Wednesday 24 July 13 19:52 BST (UK)

Evening all,

I have found a few scattered references to Huguenots in Worcestershire, connected to the weaving industry, but nothing definite. Does anyone have any idea whereabouts they settled - in Worcester, or did they move further afield? When did they move into the county? Are there any Huguenot surnames connected to Worcestershire?

Many thanks,

~ Jacobea

Title: Re: Worcestershire Huguenots
Post by: Yegvard on Thursday 25 July 13 08:37 BST (UK)

Hi.

Not sure quite what you're after.  And I'm certainly no expert.  However, there were early 16th century tapestry weavers asked to come over - see Sheldon tapestries of Beoley.

Also asked to come over were weavers for the carpet industry in Kidderminster.  1735-1740 ish.  They were soon making "Brussels" weave.

Whether these skilled foreigners were Huguenots, I don't know.

If others came, then I foresee two possible routes.  Firstly, moving out of London, possibly to escape the London Guild system.  Or secondly, 'escape' from the ports of the Low Countries and arriving via the River Severn.  Note, there was lace making in east Gloucestershire, which may have contributed to the attraction of the area.  Although the times were pre-industrialisation there was a cottage needle industry around Redditch.  And possibly west Oxfordshire????

Hope that gets you started.  Remember that the rural Worcestershire accent was quite strong and spelling variable so you will  need to be flexible with your surnames.

Have you tried the Huguenot Society?

Cheers

Mike

Title: Re: Worcestershire Huguenots
Post by: DCB on Thursday 25 July 13 09:45 BST (UK)

I found this reference on

http://www.genealogyforum.com/gfaol/resource/Huguenot/hug0006.htm

http://www.gaubertgenealogy.freeola.org/Huguenot.html

By 1609 French Huguenots established manufacture of cloth in north and west of England in Worcester, Evesham, Droitwich, Kiddeminster, Stroud and Glastonbury and in east at Colchester, Hereford and Stamford. Colchester had 1,300 Walloon citizens by 1609. In the north of England, Huguenot establishments made coatings at Manchester, Bolton and Halifax and cloth caps and woollen stockings at Kendal..

David

Title: Re: Worcestershire Huguenots
Post by: Skoosh on Thursday 25 July 13 10:24 BST (UK)

I believe there were Huguenot glassmaking families in the area of Stourbridge.

Skoosh.

Title: Re: Worcestershire Huguenots
Post by: ciderdrinker on Thursday 25 July 13 11:56 BST (UK)

hi
Huguenot Glassmakers in Stourbridge Tyzak and Henzy
Ciderdrinker

Title: Re: Worcestershire Huguenots - Kidderminster
Post by: Silverwhistle on Sunday 04 August 13 10:42 BST (UK)

Hi!
I would be very interested in this, too. I have some Huguenots in Kidderminster (Flinn or variants), who were carpet weavers and dyers. I am trying to get a copy of the full will of David Flinn (d. 1810) to confirm whether Walter (born c 1800) is his son by his fourth marriage to Ann Dalkin.

best wishes,
Marianne