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John Ellis (an ancestor of mine) was the headmaster from 1796 until his retirement in 1815 and was a Quaker school.  There are a couple of bits of information below:

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/UK-MORLEY-FHG/2006-05/1148075390

http://www.walkerfamhistory.talktalk.net/Education.htm

Having done a litte more research, I know believe that my 4x GG was born Mary Bridge in Newnham in 1797 to Mary Ann and William Bridge.  William Bridge was a surgeon/apothecary and married Mary Ann, daughter of Charles Jones, in 1797 in Newnham.

There is a marriage of Mary Bridge to Robert Davis in Bedminster in 1804 but I have not been able to find any details of William Bridge's death - presumably between 1797 and 1804.  I'm also interested to find out anything further about William Bridge but am struggling with pre-1837 records so any help would be gratefully received.

Many thanks

Thank you for your reply - I did already know that Ursula was in a Waifs and Strays Home in Leeds in 1911 but thanks for your time.  The Waifs and Strays Society became the Children's Society and I am very grateful to the Children's Society for their summary of the file.  I would highly recommend anyone who had an ancestor in a Waifs & Strays home to obtain this - it does take about 6 months and the content can be quite distressing but it really gives an insight into the lives of some the most vulnerable in the days before the Welfare State.  I was not charged for the research service but you are encouraged to make a donation, which I was very happy to do.

Hi there
I have the Royal Marine Certificate of Service for my grandad which goes from 1932 to 1942 when he was discharged as physically unfit.  It lists the ships/shore units where he served during this time but does not indicate when/how he was injured.  He is listed as serving on Erebus until 15th January 1942 and from then on at Afrikander until June 1942 when he was in hospital/passage home.  If I applied for his service record, would I get any more information about his being invalided out of the Marines?

Also, his medals have gone missing and we would like to find out what medals he was awarded - this may have included a General Service Medal with Palestine 1936-1939 clasp (he was aboard Repluse when it sailed to Haifa in 1937).  I have checked the RN list on Ancestry but can't find his name - where else might I find details?

Many thanks

Given the fact that Alfred was adopted by another family and the fairly unusual surname, it may be worth looking at Elizabeth (born c 1865 died 1886) and Henry Weedner (born c 1862 died 1890) both in Stourbridge/Birmingham area as possible parents or at least relatives? 

There is a newspaper account from 1886 in relation to Elizabeth's death, which refers to her husband being called Henry (an umberella mender) and also to two young children (although it is not entirely clear whether these were her children or her sister in law's children).  If you PM me I can send the newspaper accounts.