Keith J Stannard (keithstannard @t webaplomb.com) of Corfe Mullen, Dorset, writes: I was very interested in your key topic Aldbury Railway Workers in 1851. I had been searching for references to Tring Station after receiving my Great Grandfathers birth certificate from Herts Register Office. This recorded the place of birth as Tring Station and the Father as Alfred Stannard (Railway Policeman) and there he was on page 2 of your article (amazing!). I have since found via "Familysearch" that he was married on the 5 May 1850 to Elizabeth Carrall at Wandsworth so they presumably moved to Tring soon after. His son, my great grandfather (Frederick) was born  31 March 1861. Alfred died in 1875 and according to the 1881 census, Frederick was lodging in Northampton as a Railway Engine Cleaner and Elizabeth was a "visitor" at New Road Aylesbury. I would like to establish whether there were any other children of the marriage. Presumably the 1861 and 1871 censuses would show this. 

The survey of Aldbury Railway Workers in 1851 only showed the head of household and the 1851 census shows Alfred Stannard was accompanied by his wife Elizabeth (27, born London) and their son Edmond A Stannard (2 months, born Tring). The 1861 census shows that the family had greatly expanded:

The family had left the area by the 1871 census, but there could have been further children. If you have an address for when Alfred died in 1875 you may be able to find the family in the 1871 census. The 1881 census may tell you where at least some of them ended up - and any Stannards born in Aldbury or Tring after 1861 may also be part of the family.

I was interested that you had found Elizabeth in New Road, Aylesbury, in the 1881 census, as several of my relatives were in that area. In fact it would appear that Elizabeth was visiting her daughter Isabella (25, born Tring) who was a general domestic servant to a Mary Ann Butcher.

There is a web page for the Railways of Hertfordshire

If you can add to the information given above tell me.