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My 95 year old dad (he's in great health, mentally and physically!) told me recently about how the Gypsies would take kids.  In fact, he said was walking to school one morning, around 7 years old or so, he spotted a caravan of gypsies coming down the road.  He said he got down as low as he could in some tall grass and thankfully they didn't see him as they passed by.  He was pretty scared!

:  My advice to you would be to contact the police and ask them if there have been any cases of children being taken by gypsies. If this myth had any basis in reality the authorities would have some information on it - after all they're quick enough to blame travelers for everything else. I think you'll find it's utter garbage. Sadly children were told these stories so often they grew up believing it. The reason your grandfather hid was because of the false perception not because he was in actual danger. The truth is that gypsies traveled in family groups, and children were brought up by the whole community. When parents died or travelled away for work other family members would take care of the children, especially if they had none of their own. There's really no mystery

Hi, thanks for replying.  My Great-Grandfather Leonard Collins married Maude Eastwood in Mitcham, Surrey in 1919 but generally they travelled in Kent.
He had sisters Sarah Ann & Priscilla & a half sister who was known as Golie (I don't know what this stands for).
Golie used the surname Coates so we think their mother was also a Coates but we don't know.  Her name may have also been Priscilla but again we can't be sure.
I'm pretty sure their father was Leonard as my grandmother who is in her 80's remembers him quite well. Unfortunately, on the marriage certificate there is a blank space under 'Fathers Name' which is not very helpful!
There may have been other siblings that we are not aware of as I believe some of the family stayed in Kent whereas G Grandad Leonard eventually settled in Berkshire/Surrey.
I have searched & searched but I cannot find any trace of the family. However, I don't know Kent at all. Place names that have been mentioned are Chatham & Cray's pit but they could just have easily have referred to the Eastwood side of the family.
Any small bit of info would be appreciated.

I would like to add a little about the custom of burning homes & possessions.  My great grandmother's caravan & belongings were burnt after her death in 1988 even though it was sited in my grandparents back garden!  My gran did this because she remembered it being done all through her life and was a familiar custom to her although my Mum was upset by it as she was of a different generation.  So I can confirm that it is no myth.

Also, on the subject of children, to Romanies their children are their life and they feel great love & compassion to all children.  Many times I heard my parents say that if they found an abandoned child they would keep it.  So I can imagine Romany women opening their meagre homes to any unloved or uncared for child.  But to take a child from their parents- I can't imagine it for a minute unless there was concern that a child was being cruelly treated.