RootsChat.Com
Some Special Interests => Travelling People => Topic started by: JoanneT on Saturday 20 March 21 16:59 GMT (UK)
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Hi,
I'm hoping that someone can help me to fill in some gaps in my family tree. I started researching at the end of last year, and just this week I have discovered a potentially Romany line, but I am getting stuck with finding information.
This is what I know so far;
My Great Grandmother is Unity Holland (1892 - 1979)
Her parents were Joseph Holland (1841 - 1905) and Esther Jeffry 1852 - 1929)
I believe that Esther's Mother was Jane Wells (1828 - 1898), and her Father was Thomas Jeffry (1828 - Unknown). I did find a 1851 Census listing Thomas, Jane and Esther's older Siblings; Mark, Lucy and Benjamin. (All of the children were born in different places, but I can't find any birth records). Esther was born in 1852, so obviously wasn't listed on the Census. I did find a possible birth record with the Mothers Maiden Name of Wells.
Well, the 1851 Census says they were living in a tent, and referred to as Egyptians. They were in Larneath, Cornwall.
I just wondered if anyone recognises the names, or could point me in the right direction.
I have had a DNA test through 23andMe and I have uploaded my raw data to Gedmatch. So, if anyone thinks they have a link to my family I am happy to share my Gedmatch kit no.
Thank you in advance.
Joanne
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Welcome to Rootschat
Unity’s birth reg shows surname as Hollands and mothers maiden name as Jeff
Mary Jane Odessa was also registered as Hollands - mmn Jefe
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There are too many websites to list for support in Romany and Traveller People History.
The starting place is often given as:
http://rtfhs.org.uk/ (http://rtfhs.org.uk/)
But there are many other sites, some are listed here:
https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/tutorials/am-i-descended-from-gypsies/ (https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/tutorials/am-i-descended-from-gypsies/)
If you do a search on the rootschat website with the keywords you'll find previous discussion about Romany/Traveller ancestry.
Here's wishing you all the best in your search!
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Joseph died Dec qtr 1904 aged 58 so possible birthyear 1845/6
Esther’s death reg shows her as Esther J which I thought at first was for Jeffreys No marriage found for her & Joseph but there is this birth
Esther Jessie Jeffry March qtr 1852 St Austell 5c 151 - mmn Wells
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1881 census for widowed Jane in South Petherton, with daughter Phoebe
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q276-4KX6
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Esther in South Petherton as well
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFJL-NB5
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I see from your other post that you think Jane's father may be a Benjamin Wells.
There are some baptisms in Dorset to a Benjamin Wells that could be of interest
26 March 1830 Wooton Fitzpaine Lucy daughter of Benjamin, razor grinder, & Mary
21 Oct 1832 Abbotsbury Unity dau of Benjamin, gipsy, & Mary
5 April 1835 Shipton Gorge Charles son of Benjamin, razor grinder, and Hannah
17 Oct 1848 Poorstock Amelia daughter of Benjamin, gipsey, and Mary
in Devon
6 Sept 1851 Farway Jasper son of Benjamin, gipsy, and Ann Joel
1861 census for Benjamin & Ann
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M76L-FH9
1871 in South Petherton
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFJL-5TL
1881 in South Petherton, enumerated next but one to Jane & Phoebe
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q276-4K83
1891
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WP5C-RW2
Burials in South Petherton
20 Jan 1892 Benjamin Wells age 85
2 Dec 1897 Ann Wells age 86
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Thank you everyone for helping out, definitely helped to point me in the right direction!