Gypsy connections?

[suzard]

1851
Alverton Newark notts
George Williows Head M 35 Farm Bailiff Baroby Notts
Ann  wife 32 Grimsby lincs
George son 1
Sarah Bell servant 22 U gen serv Elston notts
Ho107 2138 69 6

Suz

[larkspur]

William Merrin and Sarah Summerfield were my 4x gt grandparents, I have Charles in my tree he was the brother of my 3x gt grandmother Hannah.

[willmerr]

Just found this and thought I can help.

I don't know the family tree (my mother's researching it though) but my name's William Merrin (it runs in the family) and I'm from Southwell in Nottinghamshire. My mother is Barbara and my grandmother was Evelyn Merrin, both from Southwell. I've been told by both my mum and grandmother that part of my family were gypsies. I don't know any more details but it's a long-standing family story which may offer some corroboration to what you asked.

[treegirl]

Thank you for replying - do you have any connections to the Merrins from Elston?

Perhaps Merrin is a traveller's name after all!

TreeGirl

[babygirl101]

I've found a marriage for Phoebe Merring to Robert Johnson - 14th October 1877, St Marys Newark. They the following children:-

Ada, baptised 5th May 1878 at St Leonards, Newark, Roberts occupation was Postman. They were living at Tenter Buildings at that time which is where some of my rellies were also living. They definitely had gypsy connections, so it's possible that Phoebe also did, but it looks somewhat unlikley that Robert did??

Their 3 othr children were:-

Selina 17th April 1881  fathers occupation Letter carrier
Elizabeth Ann  & Robert Ernest both baptised 27th July 1884, fathers occupation Rural letter carrier. They were living at Bowbridge Lane Newark then.

Hope this helps

BG   

[treegirl]

Thank you again babygirl -

Do you have any idea of how I can find out if Merrin is a traveller name or if there are any connections - there are some strong suggestions but nothing more concrete and I am wondering how I can find out any more. How did you find out you had gypsy connections?!

TreeGirl

ps our families seem to follow each other around a bit! First Cross Guns Yard ( where Robert JOHNSON was from ) and then Tenter Buildings!

[babygirl101]

I've checked out some of the census returns, Notts FHS records and can't find a single clue as to a gypsy connection. I've looked at their occupations on baptism records to see if there's a clue there, but still nothing, Romanies quite often had more unusual occupations like basket makers, rag gatherers etc. 

I've also looked at some of the Romany sites and still nothing - really sorry I can't help. I'd love to know if you find a connection, as you say our families seem to be following each other

BG 

[babygirl101]

Just a thought, have you tried asking on the Travellers section - Ann65 is an excellent source of info re Romanies, she knows most things in that subject - maybe she'd be able to offer some ideas for where else to look.

BG 

[kellylesmith]

Hi.

I am posting this on behalf of a distant relative in Canada.

Her great grandmother was Phoebe MERRIN born in Elston around 1850 and who married Robert JOHNSON and moved to Newark.

There is a family story that Phoebe had a gypsy heritage and that her parents spoke Romany around the house! Might be total fabrication but thought I would post on her behalf to see if anyone could give any pointers as to how to go about researching whether there were gypsies in the Merrin family....

http://website.lineone.net/~rtfhs/gypsy.html
hello have you had a look at this website  also i have gypsy blood and it is known for a gypsy to be a blacksmith my grt grandfather was also its worth noteing that usually if someone says they have gypsy blood its unlikely to be untrue as it is not something everyone wants to admit to due to stigma attatched.johnson is a gypsy name .also if you have photos its worth seeing if they have dark eyes dark hair olive skin as romanys tend to .if i can help i will take care blessings x