I thought it would be a good idea to have a separate page for interesting tit-bits of information that I have picked up along the way regarding various family members. Only interesting, of course, if you happen to be linked to the family in question; deadly dull otherwise, I'm afraid!
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The Willis Family
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John Willis
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John Willis was, according to the 1841 census, born in London but his wife, Elizabeth (nee Chamberlain) was born in Leeds, Yorkshire. According to the 1881 census she was an inmate of the Chelsea Workhouse so that was presumably where she died. (Her death certificate has not yet been obtained).
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Benjamin Willis
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Benjamin Willis was born in Chelsea but his wife, Amelia (nee Blackmore) was born in Bearfield, Wiltshire although, according to the 1881 census, she claimed she was born in Truro, Cornwall (possibly she was, but was baptised in Bearfield). Benjamin was also (it is believed) a twin with his sister, Elizabeth.
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Walter Richard Willis
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Walter Richard Willis was killed during World War I at the Battle of Loos on 1 October 1915. He served in the Northumberland Fusiliers (No. 17741). Prior to this he worked at Billingsgate Fish Market in London and his name is on the roll of honour there (or, at least, it was when the market occupied the old building near the Tower of London, in Lower Thames Street).
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The Drinan Family
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The Drinans originated from Cork, Ireland. James Louis Drinan came over to England some time between approximately 1815 (when he was born) and 1845 (when he was married in London). A branch of the Drinan family owned a brewery in Cork during the 18th century and was, by all accounts, quite well-to-do. However, I'm having trouble linking 'my' Drinans with them! Curiously enough, a story has been passed down through the family that 'our' Drinans owned a whisky distillery in Ireland. I've since learned that the wealthy Drinans did deal in the importation of spirits so perhaps the family tale isn't too wide of the mark after all. Also, on the marriage certificate of James Drinan to Catherine Alexander it states that his profession was a distiller, as was his father's. Anyone who can help me link my Drinans to the posh Drinans will earn themselves a bottle of Jamesons whisky!
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The Bysouth Family
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John Bysouth (b.bef. 13 October 1637)
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John Bysouth left a Will (now at Essex Record Office, Chelmsford) witnessed by John Corbett, Rector of Reed. In it he is described as a Yeoman of East Reed.
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Elizabeth Bysouth (nee Young)
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According to one source (Tom Doig), the women of Barkway formed a kind of village co-operative for women who were 'lying in'. The women paid so much per week and when they had their babies the midwife was paid and they were provided with baby clothes, etc., out of the collected money - a sort of assurance society. However, the women of the village complained about the morals of Elizabeth Bysouth but what she was accused of I'm afraid I don't know!
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The Whitbread Family
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Susan Whitbread
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Susan Whitbread was 18 when she died of scarlet fever on Christmas Eve 1850, 3 days after giving birth to her daughter, Susan Mary. According to burial records of the parish church in Loughton, Essex, she was buried on 26th December. Her sisters, Ruth (3) and Charlotte (10 months) had been buried on the 19th and 22nd December respectively and had presumably died of the same cause. By all accounts, the baby, Susan Mary, was brought up by her grandparents and the identity of her father is not known.
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