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Author Topic: Stephen Hughes and Jane Swinyard from Faversham  (Read 1832 times)

Offline RromHughes

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Stephen Hughes and Jane Swinyard from Faversham
« on: Tuesday 27 July 10 21:55 BST (UK) »
I'm looking for help to find out whether my great great grandfather Stephen Hughes, born around 1820 in Faversham or Canterbury was Rom or a member of a different traveller community.

According to the 1841 UK census he was living with a number of other travellers (Roma?) "at the side of a restaurant" in Faversham, Kent with his sister Jane.  He sold tobacco.  By 1851 he was living at 33 Preston Street, Faversham with his stepfather William Swinyard and (presumably) his mother Jane Swinyard.  At that time he was a "general dealer".

I'd be grateful for any help that anyone can offer.

Parikerav tumen!

Offline yasmar49

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Re: Stephen Hughes and Jane Swinyard from Faversham
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday 28 July 10 23:11 BST (UK) »
This is rather an odd enquiry, or at least I find it so.   Are you positive that in the 1841 Census Stephen Hughes was described as 'living at the side of a restaurant' in Faversham.    I would have thought the term 'restaurant' was then unknown in the town.    Also I cannot see his name in a printed version of the 1841 Faversham Census, but I may have missed it.

William Swinyard was a boot and shoe dealer in the town, ultimately in Preston Street, one of the main streets - as you may know.

There've long been Roma in and around the town, but so far unfortunately no-one has pieced their story together.    By all means if you wish get in touch with me direct at (*)

Arthur Percival, The Faversham Society

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Offline RromHughes

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Re: Stephen Hughes and Jane Swinyard from Faversham
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 29 July 10 07:35 BST (UK) »
Many thanks indeed for your helpful reply, Arthur!

Your pointing out that the term 'restaurant' would be unlikely to appear on the 1841 census prompted me to scrutinise again the barely legible handwriting on the copy that I have of the relevant page, and it does in fact appear to say "At side of Preston St.".  There are well over 40 people listed as living "at side of Preston St." in Faversham in 1841.  For over a year I'd thought it said "restaurant"...

Stephen Hughes is listed, aged 20, as a tobacconist, just below the family of William and Jane Swinyard, with whom he was living in a house in Preston Street by 1851.  He was still in Preston Street (but in a different house) in 1861.

I shall contact you direct, as you kindly suggest.
Thanks again.

Offline yasmar49

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Re: Stephen Hughes and Jane Swinyard from Faversham
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 29 July 10 09:51 BST (UK) »
RRom

Many thanks for swift response and I look forward to hearing from you further.   If you have any other information, it might be helpful.   A Roma (Richard Boswell) has a shop in Faversham and I'm hoping to persuade him to write about our local legacy.   The Faversham Society belongs to one of the Roma family history societies, which publishes an excellent newsletter - which you may know?

Best wishes

Arthur
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