William Charles Newton (1820-1881)

William Newton (later known as William Charles Newton) was born in Great Cressingham (Norfolk) but moved to central London by the time of his marriage in 1844. His wife Eliza Hamman, born in Holloway (central London), was a cordwainer’s daughter. William and Eliza stayed in central London until about 1851, moving then to southwest /

Analysis of the Nelthorpes in 1921 (continued)

I have analysed before where the Nelthorpes were in 1911. https://birdsofcressingham.wordpress.com/2020/12/26/where-were-the-nelthorpes-in-1911/ I couldn’t then connect the following 15 people to any of the families mentioned in that post: Update I’ve now eliminated the following 8 people who were on that list because of transcription errors: I’ve also found out more about 2 more people: Still

Ann Bird (1787-1848), John Pettit, and a famous descendant (FR Leavis)

Ann Bird was baptised in Little Cressingham (Norfolk) in 1787. DNA evidence suggests that she was the same Ann Bird who married John Pettit in Mildenhall (Suffolk) in 1811, having 10 children with him and dying in Mildenhall in 1848. John Pettit was a baker, and so were 4 of the couple’s sons. The children

Charles Povey and Emily Harman

Charles Povey lived all his life in (west London). He married Emily Harman, whose parents were from Brighton (Sussex). They had 8 children, with 5 or 6 of them surviving to adulthood. Most of the children stayed in west London, though one granddaughter emigrated to the USA. Charles was a labourer (1896 and 1901), a

Herbert Samuel Elworthy, Chemical Engineer

Hebert Samuel Elworthy (1855-1905) was a chemical engineer who held several patents. He was born in south London, and returned there after living in Bombay. His 2 brief marriages ended in early deaths. Herbert’s maternal grandparents were from rural backgrounds in Somerset, but their daughters and grandchildren went on to lead varied and interesting lives.

Henry David Butters (1871-1953)

I’ve written before about the family of Henry David Butters. I said their son James David Butters was shown in 2 different places in the 1911 census, though I know now that this conclusion was incorrect. https://birdsofcressingham.wordpress.com/2022/02/14/there-really-were-two-boys-called-james-butters/ In this post, I provide some more information about Henry. Early life Henry David Butters was a grandson

Who was Alice Alderton’s aunt?

Alice Constance Bird (née Alderton) was living in 1921 in a household including A E Alderton—a woman born in Norfolk, aged 64 years 4 months and said to be Alice’s aunt and a widow. In fact, the evidence suggests that this woman was Alice’s mother and had never married. Here is that evidence: Alice Constance

Charles James Clark and Elizabeth Povey in 1921

The 1921 census shows my great grandparents Charles James Clark (1869-1946), and Elizabeth Povey (1870-1947) at 27 Leopold Road, Harlesden, northwest London, with their 2 youngest sons. Another son (William) and his wife and their 5 children were in a different household at the same address. One more child (my grandfather) was boarding temporarily in

Etymology map of London

Londonist provides a map showing possible etymologies for the major settlements in London. https://londonist.com/london/maps/etymology-map-of-london-place-names A few that caught my eye: Kensal: Kings Wood Willesden: Spring on the Hill Neasden: nose-shaped hill Harlesden: Heorwulf’s home Paddington: Padda’s homestead Kensington and Chelsea: Cynesige’s place and chalk wharf Stanmore: stony pond Edgware: Ecgi’s fishing pool Lambeth: lamb wharf

They tried London but didn’t like it

London has always been a magnet drawing in people from other parts of the country. I read somewhere that it was estimated that in the Tudor period, a sixth of the population of England lived in London at some time in their lives. As I was born in London and have lived here most of