Richard FRY 1780-1855 of Weston-super-Mare
Meet my ancestor, Richard FRY 1780-1855, my GGGG Grandfather on my father’s side. I think everyone who’s interested in family history secretly wants to discover that they are descended from Read more
Thomas JAMES 1768-1831 of Brislington, Somerset
Thomas JAMES, was born in 1768, the second son of the tailor Thomas William JAMES and his wife Keturah JAMES (nee BUTT). When I first saw this portrait of Thomas Read more
Sidney JONES 1825-1891 of Weston-super-Mare
Meet my ancestor, Mr Sidney JONES (1825-1891), my Gt Gt Gt Grandfather. Sidney was a Master Tailor, with respectable and well attended business premises in Regent Street, Weston-super-Mare during the Read more
Knightstone Island, Weston-super-Mare – A History
Knightstone Island in 1806 Knightstone Island was acquired by the Pigott family in 1696 (they later became the Smyth-Pigotts) and they owned it until the early 19th century. It was purchased in Read more
Richard FRY – The Younger (1816-1899)
Richard FRY the younger (1816-1899), was not my direct ancestor, however he was the only son of my direct ancestor Richard FRY (1780-1855) and a fascinating character. He was born Read more
Jane MAPLESDEN (nee GOODWIN) 1824-1886
Meet my ancestor Jane MAPLESDEN (nee GOODWIN) 1824-1886. Daughter of John GOODWIN (Most likely 1790-1835) and his wife Jane GOODWIN (nee HEASMAN). They married in Cowden, Kent on 7th December Read more
Brislington House – Lunatic Asylum
Brislington House was one of the first known, purpose built private asylums for the ‘insane’. Originally an area of common land close to the village of Brislington, the plot was Read more
Charles BENNETT 1881-1960 of Kingston-Upon-Hull, Yorkshire
Meet my ancestor, Charles BENNETT 1881-1960, known to many as ‘Charlie’. He was my Great Grandfather on my mother’s side. This is actually a very special introduction because the identity Read more
Rosa Florence NESBITT then GELDER (nee MAPLESDEN)
Meet my ancestor, Rosa Florence NESBITT then GELDER (nee MAPLESDEN), my Great Grandmother on my mother’s side. Almost every family has a ‘Black Sheep’ or some particular character who seems Read more
Mystery Ancestors: In my Grandmother’s Own Words
If you’ve been following my journey to uncover the identity of my Grandmother’s father, such as through my blog post Is That You Mr Bennett? then you may be interested Read more
Mystery Ancestor: Is that You Mr Bennett? Uncovering the Origins of my Illegitimate Grandmother
UPDATED in MAY 2020 Following New Information There has been one particularly intriguing, and long time mystery in my family, and that has been the identity of my Grandmother Mary Read more
Horsleydown, Bermondsey, London in the Late 19th Century
Horsleydown is an area of Bermondsey that centres around the foot of the south approach to Tower Bridge and dates back to at least medieval times. It is a name Read more
St Mark’s Church, Myddelton Square, Clerkenwell, London
St Mark’s Church is an Anglican church in the middle of Myddelton Square, the largest square in London’s Clerkenwelldistrict. The square was laid out by William Chadwell Mylne, and there are 75 houses, by Read more
Meet My Ancestor
It's the Story of a Lifetime…
WHERE THEY LIVED
Knightstone Island, Weston-super-Mare – A History
Knightstone Island in 1806 Plan of Weston-super-Mare showing Knightstone Island in 1806. From The First Guide to Weston-super-Mare 1822, edited by...
Horsleydown, Bermondsey, London in the Late 19th Century
Horsleydown is an area of Bermondsey that centres around the foot of the south approach to Tower Bridge and dates...
Nether Stowey, Somerset
Please Note: This post is currently a work-in-progress and is just a draft post. XJF448264 Coleridge's Cottage, Nether Stowey (engraving)...
Brislington House – Lunatic Asylum
L0012305 Engraving: Brislington house Credit: Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images images@wellcome.ac.uk http://wellcomeimages.org Facade and gardens of Brislington house. Engraving History...
The Bath Hotel, Weston-super-Mare
My interest in the history of The Bath Hotel (later known as The Imperial and now OLEA) in Weston-super-Mare first...
The Royal Hotel, Weston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare has been a popular seaside health and leisure resort for around two hundred years. It was founded because of...