George 'Sonnie' Gibbard - Gipsy Smith's (MBE) Grandson

[petbro]

Here is a link to George 'Sonnie' Gibbards passing away details. He was the grandson of Gipsy Smith who was awarded MBE for his Christian work in the trenches in WW1.

I worked with Sonnie and his wife, Rosemary, taking aid to eastern Europe in the late 80's and 90's.

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/10334456.Grandson_of_famous_Gypsy_evangelist_passes_away_at_the_age_of_80/

[Britgal]

Hi,  I'm related to Gipsy Rodney Smith and have researched plenty over the years regarding his life ... but no way can I figure out how he had a grandson by the surname Gibbard.  His only daughter and youngest child, Zillah, would be the obvious contender for the missing link, but she married a Lean.  I've checked the Free BMD for Sonnie's mother's maiden name (under his given name of George Gibbard) and it's either Turner (if Sonnie's birth was registered in the March quarter of 1933 in Hendon registration district and his middle initials were CE) or Bright (if it was reg'd in the September quarter of 1934 in Woolwich RD and his middle initials were RN).  And in any case, Zillah would have been about 49 when Sonnie was born - so it's doubly unlikely.  Does anyone have any explanation of the alleged connection between Sonnie and Rodney so that I can add Sonnie to my tree?

[Britgal]

PS Have since found out Sonnie was born in January 1933, so his mother's maiden name would appear to be Turner.  Still no clearer as to how he's Gipsy Smith's grandson, though!

[sbarker91]

Hi there, I would also like to know his connection to Rodney Smith.

My grandad's mum was called Matilda Shaw and his DNA connections have pointed me in the direction of Thomas and Mary Welch being one set of her great or great x2 grandparents (parents of Rodney Smith). I assumed my connection to them was through Esther Welch, Priscilla Welch or Lucy Welch (who all married shaws) but now this picture of Rodney Smith's apparent grandchild is an exact copy of my grandad.

If anyone knows who his parents were, please let me know as it might help me find Matilda's family. I know they are of the Epping Forest lot but not sure who is who in relation to Matilda.

Many thanks,

Sophie

[CitizenSmith]

Hi Sophie

The information I have about Gipsy Smith's ancestry - largely due to the work of the late Romany genealogy expert Terence Lee - is that his mother was Polly/Mary Welsh/Welch (born c1833, died 1865) and his father Cornelius Smith (1831-1922).

Polly/Mary had a sister called Lucy Welch/Welsh. Lucy was the partner of Rodney Shaw (born about 1835) and one their daughters was called Matilda. Could she be your Matilda Shaw? I don't have any further biographical information for her but her family had roots in Cambridgeshire/Bedfordshire/Hertfordshire.

Sharon

[sbarker91]

Hi, thank you for your reply. The Matilda Shaw I'm looking for was born about 1913. It is Sonnie's parents I'm interested in as he looks so much like my grandad! I wonder if Sonny changed his name because I can't find anything for him. I read in a Christian newsletter online that Sonnie was orphaned aged 14 and travelled with his younger brothers and sisters.

[petbro]

Sonnie - George Charles Edward GIBBARD DOB: 24 Jan 1933 Born Hendon Died: 06 Mar 2013 Redbridge, Essex.

Last Marriage to Rosemary Ridewood (possibly died) Apr-Jun 1993 Redbridge

[Britgal]

Hi Petbro

Any clues as to how Sonnie could be Gipsy Rodney Smith's grandson?  Am still none the wiser and nothing in the 'official' family tree is throwing up any clues whatsoever.