Genealogy Chat

I've just been told that part of my family were Romany Gypsies, which I suppose explains why I can't find them on any census returns. Has anybody any idea how or where I could find out more about people who travelled around, probably not staying in one place for more than a few months at the most? Thanks Sharon J

No, I wasn't aware of it. Thanks ever so much for putting me on the track. ~Sharon

Sharon, These may help. I know how it feels to trace gypsies. Most of mine were!! Gypsy Collections at the University of Liverpool Books, manuscripts, prints, photographs, sound recordings Gypsy Links from Cyndi's List Links to Gypsy-related sites Gypsy Links from the Open Directory Project Links to Gypsy-related sites The Gypsy Council For Education, Culture, Welfare and Civil Rights Gypsy Lore Society Based in the USA The Patrin Web Journal Romani Culture and History Romani Language By Fergus Smith Gordon Boswell Romany Museum At Spalding, Lincolnshire Romany Gypsy Photograph Collection By Barrie Law Passing Through - by Jackie Blackman Index of Travellers from parish registers and census returns Chimney Sweeper Index By Amanda Ball Gypsy Church The Gypsy Church at Bramdean Hampshire Gypsy Church - Interior The Gypsy Church at Bramdean - from Hampshire Cam A Visit to a Hampshire Hop Garden New Nineteenth century lantern slides depicting Gypsies Gypsy Families Black and White Families Black/Blackney/Blackman and White in Berkshire Bull Family History By Amanda Ball Scamp - The Genealogy of a Gypsy Family By Roger Baker Loveridge Family By Sarah Henson Family of Shadrack & Emily Smith By Sarah Henson Reservoir Smith Reservoir Smith and her husband Edward Goodman Fairgrounds, Circus, Theatre, Travellers National Fairground Archive At the University of Sheffield The Galloper Magazine for Showmen and Fairground Enthusiasts Travellers and Showmen Genealogy Help List By Pauline Gashinski - includes census lists Mailing Lists traveller-net Discussion of Gypsy/Traveller issues in the UK and Europe itinerantroots Itinerant professions - circus, theatre, music hall, fairs, etc Full Transcripts of Classic Books Gipsy Smith: His Life and Work By Rodney (Gypsy) Smith Lavengro By George Borrow Romano Lavo-Lil By George Borrow The Romany Rye By George Borrow The Zincali - An Account of the Gypsies of Spain By George Borrow The Bible in Spain By George Borrow Genealogy sites providing links Genuki UK genealogy Cyndi's List Worldwide genealogy Organisations Federation of Family History Societies Advice, publications, links to member societies Guild of One Name Studies Includes the register of One Name Studies Record Repositories English Record Offices and Archives on the Web By Mark Howells. Includes links to Welsh & Scottish ROs Public Record Office News, catalogues, information leaflets British Library Catalogue of Printed Books Searchable catalogue British Library Manuscript Collection British Library Newspaper Library Includes a catalogue - searchable by place or keyword Other Resources 1901 Census of England and Wales From the Public Record Office 1881 British Census Also includes 1881 Canada and 1880 USA Census Family Search The IGI on line Commonwealth War Graves Commission Searchable register of war graves Salt Lake City Family History Library Searchable catalogue Telephone Directories of the World From infobel.com Pat

My mother's father was a Romany and they are elusive to find! If you are searching the 1881 census online try putting in the surname and then in occupation either: Hawker, Pedler, or General Dealer. This can take you to groups of travellers encamped in different places. I've managed to find a few of my rellies this way this weekend. Good luck!!

Wow! Thanks soooo much for the help. I really didn't have a clue where to start but now it seems I have lots of information to wade through :-) ~Sharon J