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[esdel]

 

I am coming over to Suffolk next week on a flying visit but will make time to visit Rattlesden and Hitcham, and hope also to get to Brettenham too. 

When I was 7 (around 1945) My mother took me to see "Auntie Swan" at Birds Green Rattlesden

I doubt it has changed much.
Please just keep an eye out for me.
Who she was is an enduring mystery.
Her son John Swan was age about 13 for he could climb trees even better than my big brother (

It might have been Ivy Cottage.

Other places they lived are 
Elm Cottage, Wetherton,  Stowmarket               Bildeston, Ipswich then Gloster, then maybe went to Sweden   
                  
I think they originated at   The old rectory, Alpham Stone Bures Suffolk

I know it is a long shot, but nothing ventured nothing gained and no trace of family for John Swann

Many thanks
Esdel               

[esdel]

I'm working on a branch of husbands family tree at the moment. I've got back a couple of hundred of years with regards to names and dates but I'd like to see if I can find out more information about these people rather than them just being names. They all had pretty unremarkable jobs as you can imagine - all agricultural labourers so I am not sure what I would be able to find out, if anything.

I'm looking for advice on how to take the next step - is it a case of scouring newspapers in case something comes up? I know nothing about these people and don't live anywhere near Suffolk!

Thanks in advance!

You say you live miles away. I doubt much has changed in rural Suffolk
One thing I find useful, is to download Google Earth. It lets you view at ground level - actually see the houses and imagine better how they lived. You can wander and explore to your heart's content, comfy in your armchair!

esdel

[Suffolk Mawther]

The main changes Esdel are that workers cottages are now very often refubished and are very pretty, quaint holiday cottages.

In Lavenham, places such as the Guildhall are now reverting back to the traditional methods of coating exposed beams, which show on the outside of the building, rather than painting them black.

Lavenham is hailed as our most preserved medieval village.  However a hundred years or so ago photographs show it was nowhere near as 'pretty'.  Fortunately there are several photographic books and oral history books on the Industrial Town that Lavenham was in the past so we can see the changes.

In many villages the houses are rendered and some are thatched, so they are now painted in many colours, but of course 'Suffolk Pink' predominates.

Today there are rarely shops, and many villages have lost their pub/s.  Schools are now family homes as are many of the smaller chapels.
Buses visit once or twice a week and people live in the village but work away in the towns or - as in our area - go to London early in the morning and return late at night.

By the way, Rattlesden has suffered, a black barn type of house has been built right in front of the church, I wonder how that got passed the planning authorities.

Pat ...
 

[Greensleeves]

Esdel, I will keep my eyes open for any evidence of the Swan family in Rattlesden for you!

Oh Pat, the black barn type of modern house near the church does sound like a retrograde step - presumably it contains someone of influence.... somewhere......