Contacts

For anything you wish to put on this website Email me at  webmaster@wangfordweb.co.uk

or write or call at         8 Hill Road, Wangford, Beccles, Suffolk. NR34 8AR

Police non urgent                             01986 835300

                Urgent                              999

Wangford Surgery                            578257

Crimestoppers                                  0800 555111

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator       Walter Stohr            578241

 Ask about your Family 
or friends
Sent an E-mail to; webmaster@wangfordweb.co.uk 
I will print it here
(E-mail Address will be withheld)

And if you can help please let me know.

I have been asked to print the replies to the emails but sometimes
people don't want them on line as they may concern people in the family that are still alive.

We have had quite a bit of success putting people in touch after many years, some after as much as 30 years so if you can help please do.

 Now you can join Wangford links on Face Book
for people with a link to Wangford, let others know your link to the village.
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Hello.
My name is Denise Gell, I am trying to find the whereabouts of my GGGrandfather William Crickmore, I have found out that he was born in Wangford in 1810.
It would seem that he spent his life in Wangford, married and had his children.
Am I right in thinking that Wangford and Beccles are in the same borough as sometimes I find him in Beccles but mostly in Wangford.
William married Anne Norman 17th November 1840.
I have him as a butcher in Sheepgate Wangford in the 1841 census again is this Beccles or Wangford?.
William had 4 children: William 1843, Robert 1846,Sussannah 1848 died 1860,Georgeanna 1855, all have Wangford Beccles on their birth registration.
My GGrandfather was Williams son Robert who according to the 1861 census was a shoemaker in Wangford, his son William was an apprentice blacksmith in 1861.
William Crickmore the elder died 1873.
I would be very grateful if anyone could shine some light on my confusion.
thank you in advance for any help you can give me.
Denise.

Hi Denise;
Beccles is the market town for Wangford, but Beccles was in the Wangford hundred I hope you are following all this. "Gate" is an old name for a street, and as we never had a Sheepgate in Wangford it would have been the name of a street in Beccles at the time.

I've just commenced an incredible journey to seek where my father's family originated and it leads to Wangford. The oldest Hayward I have noted is Samuel Hayward born Wangford 1828 and his father was Samuel too who married a Sarah but the end is there. So if anyone can help, I would be delighted to hear. Will probably be in Wangford over next 2 months sometime!! Your web pages are so delightful and inspiring and of course thought provoking. I really can't wait to look further but that will be after I've sought out my maternal ancestors on Isle of Soay and then to Over Stowey, so I can safely conclude I originated mostly in the Great Britain land mass.
Yeah!

Denise King  (Australia)

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I am Abbe Simpkins. I live in California.  As a child, my nanny was an English immigrant.  She and her husband emigrated here when she was 35.  They had no children. She treated me as her grandchild, and I, knowing no different, basked in seeing her as my grandmother. She taught me to bake, scolded me when I needed it, and loved me unconditionally.   Indeed, I was closer to her than I was to my own grandmothers.  Her husband died first.  Then, in her 80s, she passed away, and she left most of her worldly possessions, such as they were, to my mother, who then passed them on to me.  I have treasured them as I do any of my own family "jewels."  Her tea set holds such sweet memories for me. ..as a young adult, I would visit her in her modest little home, and she always used it to serve me tea and crumpets.  However, I am getting older, and in recent years I have decided that I want to find a "true" family home for a couple of her things that she brought with her when she left her home.  They are both huge (beautiful!) books, "A History of England," and her "Family Bible."  They're quite old, with gold "locks" that close the Bible.  Unfortunately, the covers have detached themselves from each of them.  And I’ve considered spending the money to repair them.  But, honestly, I would rather pack them up good and ship them off to England. . .but to whom?!   This is my quandary. 
The last couple of years, since conceiving this idea, I have made small efforts to find any of her family's descendants, but with no luck.  It just occurred to me that I should contact some parish church, knowing that in your country, they usually keep good records.  And also, figuring that her family probably didn't move around a lot, (with the exception of HER!). So today I goggled the place that the immigration papers said her father lived before immigrating. .."Norfolk Rd.Wangford, Suffolk, England."  And up came your website!

OH, I AM SO HOPING THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH SOMEONE FROM HER FAMILY, OR SOMEONE WHO CAN!  I know it will cost me a small fortune (that I can't really afford right now) to mail these books, BUT it would please me so to know that I have done the right thing.

So, here is all that I know about "Mrs. Clover:"  (most of this was gathered from her Bible, and from some documents that my cousin, who is a genealogist, was able to dig up)

She was born Florence May Clover, April 14, 1892, Uggeshall, Suffolk,

Her sister was born Edith May Clover, August 14, 1888, Stoven, Suffolk, and died Feb. 8, 1953.

(From manifest records, I have noted that the last time Mrs. Clover probably went to visit England was shortly after her sister's death, March, 1953. Mrs. Clover would have been 61, I guess, at the time.)

They were born to William John Cross, who was born May 26, 1854 and died March 1, 1929,

 and  Suzanna Cross, birth date unknown, and died Sept. 13, 1910.  They were married Nov. 23, 1887, at the Parish Church, Stoven, Suffolk, by the vicar, Thomas St.Hill.

Mrs. Clover emigrated to the US in 1927 at age 35; her husband, James Clover had preceded her here, in 1924. 
That's about all I know.  As I said, Mr. and Mrs. Clover had no children of their own.  But I wonder about her sister, Edith?  Or maybe farther back, to her parents' siblings' descendants?  Oh, this almost sounds impossible, now that I'm writing you.  But I shall remain hopeful.  And if I must, I thought I could send them to the parish church for their historical records or something.  Maybe you can give me a proper way to contact someone there. In the meantime, I will anxiously await a reply from you.

 Thank you, in advance, for any assistance you might be able to provide.  

Sincerely,

Abbe Simpkins

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Hello,
Thank you very much for your informative site and your kind offer to post our family history research enquiry of the possible occurance of the surname Baldry in the Wangford Parish.
We are researching a marriage here between Henry Shephard and Ruby May Baldrey, a spinster of this parish, on 12 August 1930. Her father was Samuel James Baldrey and we would wish to know if there is any history of the name here?
Thank you for any possible assistance and / or suggestions.

Bob & Jean Shephard.

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Hello;
I am currently trying to fill in some of the blanks in my family tree and in particular I am trying to ascertain more information about my great uncle William Henry Simcox. The 1911 Census shows that he was living in Colchester with his mother Selina Simcox ( my great-grandmother) and his sister Ethel ( my grandmother).
The next record I can find is that he marries a Dora May Roe in the District of Wangford in the December quarter of 1916.
The 1911 census records Dora May Roe born 1889 living in the District of Wangford. Regrettably my trail stops here and there are no close family members alive that can provide further information so I am wondering if there are folks living in Wangford that may have knowledge of the family.

 Many thanks Barry

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Having explored your lovely Wangford website, I was interested to see several names in my family tree. My grandmother was Alice Aldred born 1866, she married Arthur Barber & they lived at Wenhaston until early 1890's. They were married at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Wangford, and their oldest child, Alice born 1890 was baptised there. Alice Aldred's parents were Henry Aldred born 1832 and Mary Walker. Henry's father was Thomas Aldred born 1787. If there are any local descendents living locally or who also use this website from further afield, I would appreciate contact to fill in gaps in family history, and would be happy to reciprocate.

 Here's hoping, regards, Mary.
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I've been reading the excellent articles submitted by local people with memories of Wangford in the 30s and 40s. I have found two references, one mentions Nurse Ridgewell and the other Miss Ridgewell who kept the sweetshop for a time.

I now have the death certificate for Julia Ridgewell, she died at Pound Corner in 1932. The informant was her daughter Winifred Ridgewell of the same address. I'm wondering if Winifred could have been the Nurse Ridgewell/Miss Ridgewell referred to in the articles. Is there any chance that there might be anyone who might have any further memories or information that would clarify it for me? I was hoping to find Julia's place of burial which would presumably have been in Wangford. Do you think I should ring the vicar for help on that one?

Any help or advice you could give me would be gratefully appreciated. We're looking forward to visiting in July and I'd like to find out as much as I can.

I have learned from the vicar and churchwarden that there are 2 Ridgewells buried in the churchyard although the graves are unmarked. Lady Penelope Gilbey has kindly offered to show us the Parish Registers whe we visit in July. From reading "Wangford in the 30's" by G.K.Reynolds I've found reference to several other Ridgewells:- Billy, Tiddler, Bertie, Derek (Dee Dee), Violet and Edna. Can I ask if these names mean anything to anyone. Any reference or piece of information, however small, would be most gratefully received.


Many thanks,

Rose.

My husband and I have now visited your lovely village and were able to look at the Parish Registers, thanks to Lady Gilbey. We have found trace of several members of the Ridgewell family who lived and were laid to rest in Wangford. On the board in the church which commemmorates villagers who served in the two World Wars we saw the name W.Ridgewell. I don't appear to be able to identify this person as being a member of the family of which I'm familiar, yet feel they must be. Could anyone help me with any information?

I have also just found a connection to the Eppy's who lived in the village. I've seen the picture of John Eppy in the 1953-54 Football Team. James Eppy died in 1924 and is buried in the churchyard. Again any information would be very useful.

Many thanks,

Rose Ridgewell........................................................................................................................................

Dear Webmaster

I noticed your address on the internet and I wondered if you might possibly be able to help me trace some of my ancestors.

My great grandfather, Christopher Mellis Smith was born in 1842 at Benacre and married Ellen Mary (Ella May) Eastaugh in 1868. I believe he farmed (possibly as tenant or land agent) at Benacre Hall Farm, Wrentham for Sir Thomas Gooch (miller) and then at The Elms, Wangford for Lord Stradbroke of Henham Hall. I believe he looked a bit like Henry V11 and had a beard.

He had five children Ellen (Nellie) Mary Smith, Ada Smith, Christopher Robert Smith 1870-1916 (my grandfather), Flora Susannah Smith and Heywood Smith. Nellie and Ada I stayed with once in Southwold were they lived at a house just outside the town called St Anne's. Heywood Smith emigrated to Alberta Canada. My grandfather married Mary Ella Broom. He had three children Barbara Smith b1909, Christopher Broom Smith b1899 and my father John Mellis Smith born 1902. My Grandfather Christopher Robert Smith was described on his son's birth certificate as an overseas merchant, although I believe he also farmed at The Grange (although I do not know where that it is. My father was born at The Elms, Wangford and farmed there as a young man. In the thirties he married Jane Mclosky Westfeldt Cameron in the Parish Church at Southwold.

Any information would be most welcome. I have some old photos but I cannot identify them.

Kind regards

Christopher Mellis Smith

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Hi,
My name is Kay Eastaugh and I came across the email posting on your site by Christopher Mellis Smith. Christopher’s great grandmother, Ellen Mary Eastaugh, is the sister of my husbands (Andy) great, great grandfather, Robert Eastaugh b. 4/7/1837 in Stoven and I think that makes Christopher something like ‘third’ cousin of my father-in-law Les (Neville Leslie) Eastaugh. I’d love to get in contact with Christopher and am quite willing for you to pass on my email address to him.

Many thanks.
                         Kay

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Hi, I am in the process of tracing my fathers family tree - Stebbings

There was a huge amount of Stebbings's\in the 1851 census and the family appears to grow up to the 1901.

They were all of a farming background and I wander if anyone has any further information. My Great Grandad was married at Wangford church in 1904 and the further children were born in Wangford.

Anyone got any info that could help ?

Mark Stebbings

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I am trying to get some information about the 1841 census which placed one of my ancestors in a house called St. Terris as a servant to a veterenarian . Does anyone know of such a place locally and what was it's function and history.?

Thanks
Mike Jenner

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I would be very grateful to hear from anyone who has informatioin regarding the TERRY family who were harness-makers and carpenters in Wangford during the 1800s.
I am trying to dig out some of my wife's early relatives and would welcome any information that other researchers may have.  I know that James Terry married Isobel Marmaduke Marsden in 1816.  Isabel was born in 1788 in Worlingham and her Dad was named Rufus Marsden.  But the trail ends there and I wonder whether any of your contributors has any information about that family.  Similarly I would very much appreciate any info regarding the parents of James Terry, Isobel's husband.
I realise that this is a long shot but many people are now putting their pedigrees together and there is a chance that we could help each other.
We live in Wingfield, near Stradbroke and both our families originated in Suffolk - mine from Nayland near Sudbury.
 

Many thanks
Martin Gosling

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Hi

I'm researching my wife's father's family history and have reached the point
where the various online resources can't help. I am trying to find out more
about George Colby whose address in the 1841 census was Olland Street, Bungay
St Mary and I believe died in Wangford in 1881 aged 71. His wife's name was
Elizabeth (died in Wangford in 1875 aged 62 I think). They had children Ann
(1838), Elizabeth (1839), Susanna (1841), Emma (1842), Edward William - my
wife's great grandfather (1844) and Thirza Sarah (1950). I am particularly
keen to find out about the birth of George, and the marriage of George and
Elizabeth.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards

Chris Hicks

After further digging I think George Colby may have married Elizabeth Frost in
April 1837 in Redenhall.

Chris 
 

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Dear Webmaster,
I shall be grateful for any info you may have on William Noblet who married Catherine Woolnough both from Wangford. Catherine was born 1851 and emigrated with William to Dublin. They are my great grandparents.

Thanks

Clive

Hi Rod;
        Thanks for taking the time to respond to my e mail.
I have since learned that Catherine was the daughter of John Woolnough and Mary Ann Brighton who were married on 29 December, 1836 at Wangford Cum, Henham, Suffolk. John Woolnough was born 1806 and was the son of William Woolnough and Hannah Rittingdale ( born 1783) from Snape, Suffolk..
Best regards

Clive 


 

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It would appear from your site that you receive many pleas of help with regard 'Family Tree Searches' and here I am adding to that list! You should, they say, never start with an apology, however, I am sorry to bother you...I'm stuck!

My search is regarding Rev Slater Sunderland who ministered in the Wesleyan Church somewhere in/near Wangford around 1880. The Wesleyan church did seem to move ministers frequently so he may not have ministered in your area for long. His wife died in 1880 and the death is registered as Wangford County, Suffolk. Her name was Maria Antonette/Antoinette. They did work in West Indies for some time prior to this. Does anyone have old photos/newspaper clippings/stories regarding the Wesleyan Church at this time or even better Slater & Maria Antonette? I am in Argyll, Scotland...not the most convenient when researching in deepest England!

With thanks,

Catherine Sunderland

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My late father was a Housego and I have traced the family back to Suffolk and Norfolk where they originated before ending up in various parts of London. My father moved to Somerset during WW2 and settled there I have no contact with any Housego's and at the moment I live too far away to visit Norfolk so would appreciate any info available.

Kind Regards 
Wendy

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Hello, 
I don't know if you can help me, I am trying to trace my family history. It is very difficult as my grandmother does not know much about her parents or her grandparents. 
I managed to find out my great grandmother's birth date and the district it was registered is Wangford.
just wondering if you know of the Witham family, they had a daughter on 9th October 1907 called Kathleen Mary Witham. I don't know anything else about her or her parents, if you could help it would be greatly appreciated!!

thank you
regards
Sarah Cousins

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Hi and G/day,
my family and I are attempting to find out what we can about the following names in order to pass on any knowledge gained, hopefully, to generations to come out here in the colonies.

William Woolner b1821 his wife Harriet nee Emmerson b1823, were, we are led to believe, inhabitants of Wangford also their daughter Emma b1855 who married one John Crisp b1856 who may have come from Beccles.

John Crisp we were told by their daughter Rosa d1978 ran a farm for his father who had it as a hobby? and was a miller
and purported to be the first farmer in England? to grow sugarbeet.

Anything no matter how trivial or obscure would be most appreciated.

Regards James.H.Seaman  N.Z.

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Hello all,

I wonder if anyone can help me with any information about Cecily Hall who was born in Wangford about 1895. I think she later lived in Romford Essex. if any body has any information at all I would be grateful. just starting out on this journey of tracing ancestors!

regards,
Barbara McGovern

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I wonder if anybody can help me fill in the gaps on the Martin family
who were the millers in Wangford. I know that Frank died in the
crushing gear of the mill and that the mill burnt down in 1928. If
anyone has any more information on the family or photographs other than
the ones on your website I would be very grateful.

They are the family of my step brother and I can remember Ruby Martin
his aunt who lived in Beccles in approx. 1950's.

Kind regards
Ann Rowcraft
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