Many of you will have seen that the Forum and the main FODFHT website has been blocked for a few days (since 22 October). This enabled ua to check with our hosting service that all the key software elements were up to date.

However this has been a spur to make the changes that have been in preparation for some considerable time. In particular we needed to retire the software used for the main site as it was out of date. The searches also need updating.

There proved to be an odd stubborn problem in the Forum that would have prevented regular users from posting. That has been solved and if you are seeing this (!) the Forum is active and can be used as normal. You will need to login to post.

The access to the searches on our data has been removed from the menu at the top of the Forum page. These will in future be available directly in the main site but are not yet reinstalled.

The main site has been live for a few days but is still in development I hope to reintroduce the searches shortly.

If you see any problems please reply to this thread.

Kind Regards

Paul

I've lost one man in a single census and wonder whether local knowledge can help.

Samuel Horrobin (also Horobin, Horribin, Harrobin), baptized Drybrook 13 March 1831, son of Thomas and Ann, collier, of Coalway Lane End:

- 1852: married Mary Ann Hale at Parkend, both of Coalway Lane End
- 1863: his wife buried at Coleford Congregational, residence given as Bristol
- 1866: married Alice Lewis at Coleford Congregational (FamilySearch gives her as Alice Preece — I have not resolved which)
- 1870: his second wife died, aged 34, buried at Coleford Congregational
- 1871 census: at Coalway Lane End, West Dean, widower, aged 40, coal miner, head of household
- 1881: I cannot find him under any spelling
- 1887: said to have died at Beadling, Pennsylvania, having emigrated from Bristol on the SS Devon in April 1881

If he sailed in the spring of 1881 he may simply have left before census night, but I'd welcome confirmation, or any sighting of him in 1881. I'd also be glad of advice on which spellings and districts tend to hide Forest families in that census.

A second, smaller question if anyone knows: the 1863 burial entry gives his wife's residence as Bristol, though he was at Coalway throughout. Was it common for Forest families to go to Bristol for medical treatment?

Thank you,

Lottie Aston

I'm researching my Forest ancestors from California, and I'd be grateful for local eyes on a family portrait.

The sitter is Samuel Horobin, baptized at Drybrook on 13 March 1831, son of Thomas Horrobin, collier, of Coalway Lane End. Samuel married Mary Ann Hale at Parkend on 29 May 1852; he was a collier and appears at Coalway Lane End in the 1851, 1861 and 1871 censuses. He emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1881.

The portrait is large — about 4½ by 5½ feet. His daughter Edith took it to America, and it is still in the family here.

He is shown standing in a studio interior, in a dark three-piece suit, wearing a badge on his left breast: a five-pointed star inside a circular medal, hanging from a broad plain ribbon. Our family notes call it Masonic, but I wonder whether it is more likely a friendly society or temperance order — Foresters, Oddfellows, Rechabites, Good Templars, or perhaps a local benefit or burial club.

Has anyone seen this badge in photographs of Forest men in regalia? I'm happy to email photographs and close-ups to anyone able to take a look, or to post them here if attachments are possible.

Many thanks,

Lottie Aston

Can anyone tell me where or what the Lea/Ley was?

Thanks.

I have seen mention of a John Yeme in old postings, christened in Ruardean in 1512.

He could be the John Yeme whose 1582 Will identifies him as the Blacksmith who cast/repaired the disused treble bell that sits at the back of Ruardean church and was the father of Richard, Stephen and Joan who are currently the end of my line.

Can anyone point me to a document or reference that supports a 1512 christening please?

Chris Yemm

I've been researching the history of the Wye Rapids Hotel recently, as I have fond memories of staying there as a child. We used to travel up from Surrey 2-3 times a year to stay there and have the most wonderful time.

I made a website to share my research and I thought it may be of interest to others.

I'm sure there's plenty of gaps, and maybe people might be able to add to, or correct any of the information there.

https://wyerapidshotel.co.uk

Google suggested the following approach and wondered if there was a digitized version of any of these?

1, Land Tax Assessments for the Hundred of St Briavels as it would list heads of households in the area.

2. Using the 1838 encroachment surveys for Berry Hill to see if he was living on land from his father if it was designated as such?

3. Maybe in the freeminer's registration of mine pre 1777 might list Voice men in this area?

I'm in the US so don't have ready access to these sorts of records at the archives that don't seem to be digitized.

Online lots of people have said his parents are George Voice and Sarah Beach and while this couple did have a boy names James, he was born too late ie abt. 1789 so would've only been 9 when marrying Ann Evans thus it makes no sense they are his parents.

Thanks for any help you can provide! Bonnie

This is to let you know, check whether posting is still working and to ask for people to respond to the post if you encounter and problems.

There does not appear to be any significant change in the layout operation - but I have not finished looking at all pages and settings.

Regards

Paul

Paul

Since then, I have had my DNA tested on Ancestry, and lo and behold, it turns out that Jackman Morse is my 5th-great-grandfather, with four DNA matches. John Morse, married to Margaret Jones, is my fourth great-grandparent - from then on, the family tree makes sense. However, I cannot believe that amongst my coal miners and coal owners in the Forest there is an eminent vicar. The sticking point seems to be John Morse, 1738 - 1739, as in various trees on Ancestry, the children are the same as my John Morse, and in some, completely different. I really don't know how to prove this, but surely the DNA can't be wrong, or can it?

Edward died on the Somme in 1917 leaving his wife Gertrude Ada Bradley (1890-1974) and four (4) children:
Edward William Kilby (1910-1990)
Annie Kilby (1911-?)
Ronald Ivor Kilby (1914-1966)
Iris May Kilby (1916-1986)

Gertrude Ada Kilby (nee Bradley) married William Simmons in the 4th quarter of 1921 at Pontypridd district.

Does anyone know where Gertrude and the children were at the time of the 1921 census?

Thanks
Ian Watkins
watkinsi@ozonline.com.au

She appears in the 1881/1891 census records as the daughter of Harriet (nee Fletcher) and James Ruck.

My problem is I cannot find her birth or any records after 1891.

I don't believe she is Harriets daughter as she doesn't appear in the 1871 census. Also, Harriet was married to George Worgan at this time and he died in 1875.

I do not know if James was married before as I cannot find him in the 1871 census records, and I can only see the civil registration for his marriage to Harriet

See previous threads: https://forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=31625

Many thanks

I wonder if anyone can identify the building behind George Rickards in his wedding photograph. Found in Cinderford 2.

My Nan said my g.g grandmother Martha Rickards (nee Fletcher) used to live in the now empty and sadly derelict building in Moseley Green. I was wondering if the building behind is 'The Rising Sun'? She was also working for a William Saunders in the 1871 census. His occupation was that of butcher and Innkeeper. Again, was this the Rising Sun?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Parents John Church & Eliza Yemm - married 04/10/1860 at St Michael, Abenhall.

John deserted the family in 1866. Their children were bording with who I believe are Eliza's parents. William Yemm (80) & Mary Yemm (81) at Baby Lane, Abinghall. His broethers were John F (Frank) Church and Albert Church.

Only records of William is his Royal Engineer service records - Joined 01/01/1890 to16/12/1899 Home based service. South Africa 17/12/1899 to 22/08/1902 - Discharge Chatham.

Looking for any help or information for 1881 census, marriages etc.

As not sure when he left the area or if he came back and married locally.

Thank you in advance