Family History

Gillingham Local History Society regret that it cannot undertake family history research.  However, we are happy to hear about your enquiries just in case we can point you in the right direction.

We are happy to post your enquiries on this page.  Please email us at gillinghammuseum@waitrose.com .  Should you accompany your enquiry with a photo then please reduce the file size as we do not operate via Broadband.  Each enquiry should be headed in the following format - MuseumWebsiteFamilyHistoryName  ...........................note that Name = the main family name you are interested in.

We will not divulge your email address, address or phone numbers to any respondents but will simply forward replies to you.

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June 2008

From Sylvia Jopson

Currently researching the STACEY Families, of  Gillingham, Motcombe, Shaftesbury and Stour Provost, who were Yeoman in the Manor of Gillingham, spanning from 1600 -1925.
I would be very interested to hear from anyone who could supply more information relating to these families and their descendants. Especially interested in learning which Farms and Lands they owned or tenanted, and the way in which the Manor and Forest was administrated.
Also looking for a connection (if any) between the John STACEY (wife Allise) of Stour Provost  Will made 1670's, his children John, Robert, William, and William STACEY of Motcombe born  approx 1640.
 
Any help or ideas would be much appreciated.

Any replies to this should be emailed to gillinghammuseum@waitrose.com quoting MuseumWebsiteFamilyHistorySTACEY2008

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May 2008

from Michele Lancaster of Berkshire

I am descended from the HOSKINS family who lived in Gillingham during the late 1700s to early 1800s.  I have traced my particular family to James HOSKINS, who married Martha MULLENS in 1780.  James was born in around 1755, possibly in Silton.

I would be interested to hear from anyone else who is a descendent of this family.

Any replies to this should be emailed to gillinghammuseum@waitrose.com quoting MuseumWebsiteFamilyHistoryHOSKINS2008

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May 2008

from David Clifton

I am researching my maternal grandfather and his family.  He was Charles Samuel GRAY who was born on 2 October 1900 in Gillingham.  he left the area around 1922, became a sailmaker and joined the Royal Navy.  I understand his father was Charles Edwin GRAY born about 1870 and believed to have married Kate KING born Shaftesbury 1876.  At the time of Charles Samuel's birth his father is noted as an Insurance Agent.  The previous generation was possibly William and Elizabeth GRAY born around the 1830s.

I have addresses of Bay Lane, Gas House Lane, Turners Lane, Stock and Milton.  Some I have found others not.

Any information regarding the above would be greatly appreciated.

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March 2008

from Dan Burke, Brisbane

I am seeking information about Walter SCAMMELL born 1856 died 7 June 1891 in Gillingham.  His wife was Eliza SCAMMELL nee LLOYD.  Any information would be appreciated.  Thank you.

Any replies to this should be emailed to gillinghammuseum@waitrose.com quoting MuseumWebsiteFamilyHistorySCAMMELL2008

Update: Dan has received a response with the Lloyd connection but would be pleased to hear from any local members of the SCAMMELL family

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February 2008

From Joy Farms, nee Jefford, formerly of Gillingham, now living in Durham City.
 
I'm researching the family history of my father, who died on 3rd March 1951 when I was only 7 years old, and who is buried in Gillingham Cemetery.  His name was Robert Henry JEFFORD, known as BOB, and he worked at Hayden's Grocers in The Square.  During WW2 he served in the Home Guard, possibly as a Sergeant.  He had a son, Patrick Bryan (my half-brother, 12 years older than me) who attended Gillingham Grammar School before joining the Army at the age of 16.  Bryan died in 1996 in Australia.  I believe he and my Dad may have lived at Penselwood before coming to Gillingham.  I've never known how he met my mother (who died in 2004) whose maiden name was Joyce Mary Webb, known as Joy.
I would love to hear from anyone who may remember Bob Jefford; in particular anyone who may know what brought him to Gillingham and where he was before that.

Any replies to this should be emailed to gillinghammuseum@waitrose.com quoting MuseumWebsiteFamilyHistoryJEFFORD2008

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