Barrett – Of Norman Descent?

Introduction The interest in the subject of this study is born out of the family history research coupled with some family myths. Most people in the UK could probably claim to be of Norman descent and it may be difficult to prove and to be honest, people today are a mixture of Scandinavian (Anglo- Saxon) and Norman and the little or non -existence of the necessary records may be a barrier in this study. However, I don’t necessarily wish to “claim” Norman ancestry but I have to confess that curiosity has got the better of me and I should like to explore the possibilities of where our family came from, even though I may be hearing the cry of the wild goose. Of Norman Descent?  Fact or Fiction? To claim an ancestor came with William the Conqueror should not be viewed with a romantic notion. The Conqueror and his men were warmongers, plunderers and so savagely brutal that one cannot feel a sense…

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The Ferberd Buswell Connection

   I think the Ferberd Buswell is a one off so therefore a red herring in terms of our research. You may be right in thinking he was named after his father’s friend Ferberd Barrett of the Sessions link.1851 census, as we know, shows Richard Buswell at Kingston Bagpuize in the same household as Ferberd Barrett in the Sessions family tree.Richard was baptised 3 May 1827, the son of Charles Boswell and Elizabeth Jones.Richard had a brother, Charles born in 1831.Charles and Elizabeth were married on 22 July 1823 in Dudley Worcestershire. I cannot find any reliable birth date for Charles, as there are so many, without more knowledge of the family.Richard married Sarah Willis 20 Jan 1863 at Lambeth. Richard was on censuses up to 1901 but not on 1911 so gathered he died between.Ferberd Richard was baptised 1864 at Lambeth. Have not been able to find siblings. He couldn’t be found on 1881 or 1891 censuses.  This is possible because he might…

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Henry Barrett b 1854 and Elizabeth Alder b 1850, and Henry’s Ancestors

IntroductionThis is a summary of the research carried out by Sheila Wheatley with input from Paul Barrett into the history of Henry (aka Harry) Barrett b 1854 and Elizabeth Alder b 1850.  Henry and Elizabeth were married 7 Nov 1874.  We want to document Henry's ancestors to see if we share a common ancestor, and we would also like to reach out to other researchers of the Barretts and Alders of Berkshire / Oxfordshire, England for help resolving some issues.Elizabeth is not a direct ancestor of Sheila, Paul and their sister Christine - she is a cousin of Ferberd Barrett who is our 2 x great grandfather.  Neither is Henry, who merely shares our family name.   Henry Barrett is the husband of Elizabeth Alder, who is the cousin of Ferberd Barrett, who is the 2 x great grandfather of [Sheila, Paul and Chris.]So why did we decide to research this obscure branch of our tree?How this line of research beganBarrett is a very…

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Walter Costar, and Gertrude and Ellen Barrett Love Triangle?

Gertrude Emma Barrett born 1868 married Walter Costar on 23rd December 1888.The 1891 census shows Walter age 24 and a Game-keeper and Gertrude with 2 children, Lizzie age 1 and Christopher age 8 months, living at Denman’s Farm, Chawley, Cumnor, Berkshire.The 1901 census finds Gertrude, now 32, living with her parents in Tubney. So, where is Walter? He is at 5 Station Road, Stratfield Mortimer, and is a coachman and hotel groom. Children: Lizzie age 11 Christopher age 10 Gertrude age 9 Walter Henry age 6 Frederick age 5 Annie age 3 Sydney age 1. Also there is Ellen, sister-in-law age 22 and described as housemaid.Why is Gertrude with parents and Ellen with Walter and children? A thought for investigation, which surrounds a letter from one Nellie Costar to great grandfather Harry’s wife Annie (Mary Anne Chandler). because the author of the letter is one Nellie Costar, I had assumed initially that it was written by Gertrude as her married name was Costar.…

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Barrett Publicans

Thought it might be a bit of fun to write about to see how many of our forebears were publicans.This follows on from Paul finding a Richard Barrett of the Lamb and Flag, Longworth, while sorting through censuses.  I remembered finding him and a few others so thought to do the list.Richard Barrett born 1780 our 4 x Great Grandfather. Wheelwright and Publican at the White Hart, Fyfield.John Barrett born 1811. Son of Richard above and our 3 x Great Grandfather, also Carpenter, Wheelwright and Publican at the White Hart Fyfield.Albert Barrett born 1819 brother of John. Carpenter and Licensed Victualler Blacks Head Inn at Bletchington.Richard Barrett born 1832, The first child of John and Harriet. Carpenter and Wheelwright at The Lamb and Hey House at Longworth. Then in 1871 at the Robin Hood Inn Bewley Road Oxford. In 1881 at The Globe, Oxford.Rosina Barrett born 1840, daughter of John and Harriet, took over The White Hart at Fyfield with her husband John…

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The Skeleton in the Closet

 The purpose of this piece of research is to determine: The parentage of Liza Alder born 1829 The birth dates of William and Elizabeth Alder as this may have a bearing on the above The parentage of Percival Alder/Barrett born 1859 The relationship, if any, between Liza Alder and Albert John Barrett. I have the advantage of having CD collection of the parishes of Berkshire. Hopefully, these should be able to answer the questions without having to spend hours trolling through on-line sites. Eliza Alder born 1829 On the 1841 census she is described as the daughter of William and Elizabeth Alder. However, on the 1851 census she is living with John Barrett and his wife Harriet (formerly Alder) at the White Hart, Fyfield. John described her as ‘daughter in law’. Because of other misleading census information, this has raised the question of her true parentage. It means it is possible that she is the illegitimate daughter of Harriet Alder, born before her…

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Old Research Notes William and Elizabeth Alder

William Alder baptised 11th July 1779 @Fyfield, the son of John Alder & Sarah Hatt.William married Elizabeth Winter on 17th November 1803 @ Fyfield.Elizabeth was baptised on 6th March 1785 @ Marcham, the daughter of William Winter & Elizabeth Michel (that’s how it is spelt in parish records).1841 census gives William’s birth year as 1785 & Elizabeth’s as 1791. If this were accurate it would make William 17 & Elizabeth 12 at the time of their marriage! It is well known that ages and birth years could be rounded up as much as 5 years or so.The reason I feel that this is the correct couple is that they have a William Barrett staying with them who is the right age to be John & Harriet’s son and they had a son William who was born in 1834.1851 census shows both William & Elizabeth and William is a farmer of 286 acres, employing 3 men and 2 boys and they are living in…

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