Genealogy Chat

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Just a thought that may help others. My gggrandfather Thomas SPALTON died in Bottesford in 1843. From his gravestone I can deduce that he was born in 1777 but where? He also married three times, once in Bottesford and twice in London. He was a farmer. Tracing various family members I find that they originated in places like Muston, Woolsthorpe, Orston, Hose, Harby and Barton-in-Fabis. So what, you say! These villages are all in the same area, but up to 30 miles apart. People didn’t travel far in the early 1800’s – most married in the same or next door village. Railways were in their very early days. Whilst browsing yesterday I came across a site for the Grantham Canal. I looked it up and found a map – and guess what – all the villages my ancestors came from are very close to the line of the canal if not on it. What an easy way to travel across country – especially on market day. If I follow the line of the canal it’s going to get me close to Derbyshire – where there are Spalton’s – have I found my connection? Now off to look at maps of Canals in Shropshire. Peter

Maps often make lots of things clear. Places that are in different counties on the census turn out to be a stroll away from eachother. Relatives' movements follow canals, roadways or railway routes. nell

Peter, my lot roamed from Bristol in Somerset to Yorkshire and Lancashire regularly. Seemed to like to marry girls from northern areas. They were always back in Bristol in time for first baby. That wasin 1700s and early 1800s. Peter, have you done any researching in NZ. I'm trying to do a bit on my grandfather's line. He was born in 1885 in Patea, but the family came from Ireland in 1850s I think. Any good sites????

Have sent PM to Elizabeth

Don't send John Howard he might turn into Peter Costello! Toni