Genealogy Chat

Forgot to say, they actually lived in houses in Canning Town (West Ham) from 1891, but still kept the horse drawn caravan's in the yard. Sandra

My ancestors were travellers, and quite a few were born on Epsom Downs. One died there too. My Nan used to go to the Epsom horse fairs on the Downs in my g-grans Vardo (caravan) Sandra

Hi Paul and Caroline, My father in law always told his children that his grandmother was a Romany Traveller, although Caroline rightly found them living on the common in the 1891 census, on the other census they seemed to live in houses, William born in Epsom and Eliza born in Ipswich, Suffolk, So I can not imagine why they are living on the common, some thing must of happened in between 1881 and 1883 when Adeline Louisa was born on the common

I think it was quite common (pardon the pun) to refer to outlying habitations by their geographical location. I have relatives on the Common at Alby, Norfolk, and also on the Heath at Ditchingham, Norfolk. Jay

Could they have been gypsies? Sorry - politically incorrect - I mean Romany Travellers?

Hi Laraine I live quite near Epsom and have had a look on the 1891 census and found a William Etherington 55, with wife Eliza 47, Walter 20, Ellen 18, Charles 15, Edith 13, Emelie 10, Louisa 7, and Albert 3, all living at Epsom Common. Is this your lot ? I think the parish would be Christchurch, Epsom, and my local library has transcripts of their parish records if there is anything you want looked up. Carolyn

Epsom Common is just west of Epsom not far from the general hospital and people still living their today Epsom Downs, i think is to the east of Epsom Roy

Hi janet in Yorkshire, I think more then lightly from the stories my father in law told us it would have been Epsom Downs, Kind Regards Laraine

Hi Rawnie, Is house still there? Regards Laraine

Hi jess You did note that I said MY Ethrington's it has taken me 2 years to confirm my Etherington's from Epsom, I have put out a search for a Gillian Etherington one of my father in laws sister's Hilda's Brewer nee Ethgrington's children that went to NSW Glebe Australia, in the 1960's anything to do with your Gill, As lots of Aunt's been trying to find her for years, Kind Regards, Laraine

I live in the next road to Long Fellow Road

Could Epsom Common be Epsom Down? Jay

i work with a Gill Etherington!

Hi Nell, In 1881 they lived in Long Fellow Road, Cheam, Surrey, but nothing would surprise me with My Etherington's, Which I am now one!! (only by marriage I might add) Thank You Laraine

The Common might well be the name of a road which ran besides or through the actual grassy area. You could have a look on 1881 for the parents and see if there are any clues there. nell

Thank you all Laraine

USD stands for URBAN SANITARY DISTRICT No, No, No, NOT in the vacinity of the public Loo' , it was a bit like the equivilent of Borough Council!! **<<Sorry couldnt resist! (someone did ask once if that's what it meant!)

Urban Sanitary District No doubt someone will suggest something else as probably very wrong. Maureen

Hi, Date of birth is 1883, would hope not on the grass as 20th November would have been rather cold ! lol

when are we talking about? I would not have said she was born actually on the common as such ( ie her mother didnt lay down on the grass!) but in the area of Epson know as the Common. I have a rellie born in Boscombe bay - i'd assume not delivered in the sea either!