Genealogy in Hertfordshire
Newsletter for May 2007
April has been a good month with about 150 new files being added, and many others amended, so that the site now contains about 5250 linked files (over 2000 text pages, the rest pictures) relating to Hertfordshire.
Perhaps
the most important "News" is the linking page to the web site Geograph,
which allows people to add digital photographs organised by national grid
reference. Hertfordshire is already well covered and churches and other old
buildings are common topics. In addition when I "spring clean" a place page
(see Sarratt for an example) I
propose to include links to pictures on
Geograph where appropriate.
I have had a fair number of interesting questions and reader suggested updates, although a few are having to be carried forward for action in May. As a response to a message about the murder of Edward Anstee in 1880 I have added two downloadable Word files (Who's Who for the Marshalswick Murder and Hertfordshire Hangings 1820-1880). These were actually prepared as part of some research I did about 10 years ago - and in future I may use this format to publish some of my other draft research notes. I also have also some old research notes on individual St Albans brickmakers, and have started to provide a detailed biography of Christopher Miskin - to be completed in May.
While a number of questions were "routine" Martyn found an interesting reference to the Hertfordshire historian, Robert Clutterbuck, in Wales, Lian wanted to know about a horticultural medal - and I reveal a link to the famous gold trophy, the Ryder Cup, and I was able to identify the Golden Square for Tina.
Some other queries highlight problems that could affect many genealogists. For instance 1901census proved more effective than Ancestry in Theresa's search for George Rose in the 1901 census. Steve provided evidence that the published picture of The Swan with Two Necks was incorrect - reminding us all that because a picture is reproduced in a book doesn't make it correct! Alan identified two of the people illustrated in the Rogues Gallery - can you do better.
Apart from a "Spring clean" of the Sarratt page, and the introduction of a page for Bricket Wood, most of the place updates are the addition of new postcard images, reviews of books, or the addition/correction of links to other web sites
Plans for updating this site over the summer are deliberately fluid as there will be many other demands on my time. The house is undergoing a major makeover - with a new bathroom to follow the new kitchen installed in April. An Australian friend will be coming to stay for a month and both my wife and I may need to spend some time in hospital. I will be preparing and submitting evidence at an important meeting relating to mental health provision in June, and in August I will become a governor of an NHS Foundation Trust. For this reason the time I will have to maintain this site and to answer questions will be limited.
Chris Reynolds
1st May 2007
Updates in late March and April 2007
Thanks to all of you who asked questions, or contributed to existing pages.
| Web Page Title |
Note |
| Football Club, Sandridge, 1912-1913 | Alan has been able to identify two members of the team as Horace and Edgar Hunt. Can anyone else identify any of the other members of the team? |
| BURRAGE, Abbots Langley, 1877-1928 | Albert says Carey Thomas Burrage died at St Pancras Schools, Leavesden. I provide some possible sources and suggest he might have been a builder involved in an accident. |
| Tracing Football Club Photographs circa 1910 | Ann's ancestor (VYE, Walkern, before December 1912) played football in 1911-12 and she is looking for a photograph of the team. . |
| RAINBOW, St Albans, 1873?-1940 | Deane's adds that his grandfather may have worked on the lake at St Albans circa 1930 and has a photograph which may be of interest to the St Albans Museums |
| SHORTLAND, Berkhamsted, circa 1832 and later (or SHORTNELL) | Jimmy has provided significant additional information about one member of the family - and the answer looks at the possibility of an error in the census returns for a family which were almost certainly illiterate. |
| The Long Stay Hospitals of the St Albans area | John's ancestor died in Leavesdon Hospital in 1906, and as a result I have added a general note on the burial of patients and where to look for records. |
| Who's Who for the Marshalswick Murder | Julie has found a reference in the Herts Guardian & Agricultural Journal to my great grandfather, Jacob Reynolds, in connection with the murder of Edward Anstee. The murder is mentioned in the talk Poaching and Petty Thieving in St Albans - but is hard to find and I have added a number of extra links. I have also added two word files from my research archives on the murder - to make the information more widely available. |
| Hitchin Historical Society | Keith has told me that the Hitchin Historical Society now has its own web page. |
| RYDER & Son, St Albans, Early 20th Century | Lian wanted to know more about a medal she has carrying the name Ryder & Son - and I provide information on Samuel Ryder (of Ryder Cup fame), the company he formed, and the medals given out by the firm. |
| Robert CLUTTERBUCK, Watford, Visit to Wales in 1799 | Martyn has found a reference which could indicate that Robert Clutterbuck, author of The History and Antiquities of the County of Hertfordshire visited Neath in 1799. I find he was in Cardiff between 1798 and 1801. |
| Paper Makers, Hatfield | Mary has links with the paper mill run by the Valance family [VALLANCE, St Albans area, late 18th/19th centuries] and I have added some information to the Paper Makers, Hatfield page. |
| W A Dixon | Nigel has reported on another St Albans brickmaker. W A Dixon's bricks were used to build his house in Worley Road, St Albans. |
| Sherwood Family History | Rob has provided a new link. |
| The Swan & Two Necks, Hitchin, late 19th Century | Steve has contacted me, with photographic evidence, to say that the picture I posted last month [now removed] from the book Hitchin Inns and Incidents does not show the Swan & Two Necks. This is a useful reminder that all sources can contain errors and it is not possible for me to check everything. |
| Christopher Miskin | When I created pages on St Albans brickmakers some years ago I originally left this one to be completed later. Sue requested information and I have transferred (and in some places updated) information from my old research files. However I have so much information on this significant St Albans builder and one-time mayor that I have not completed the task. The current incomplete draft is to be completed in May. |
| ROSE, Bishops Stortford, birth 1908 | Theresa has been unable to find any information on the parents mentioned in the birth certificate. George Rose was found using 1901census when the Ancestry search was less effective. The possible relationship between the child and her so-called brother and sister is explored. |
| Golden Square, Hitchin |
 Tina's
ancestors lived in Golden Square,
which is not marked on modern maps. I track it down to the southern end of
Bancroft, and the alleyway to the
Churchyard - and provide a map, some old
pictures and some background history. |
| The Forge, Studham, circa 1900 | Wendy's relatives lived at the Forge, Studham and I was able to find a picture of the buildings in the area. |
| James Dickson | Information on this St Albans brickmaker has been added that suggests he may have come to St Albans in 1881/2 as the constructor of the main sewerage works. |
Details
of the book 
Links
added to modern pictures on 
Links
added to modern pictures on 
Following
a query by Ken about the Rothschild
herd of Shorthorn Cattle I have added a picture of
Joseph Timberlake, and a brief description of
Hastoe and a reference to the
biography in
Links
added to modern pictures on 
