Brangwin Family Newsletter: August 2003

Welcome to the August 2003 edition of our family newsletter.

The last month has been a busy one for although not on family research. Still, I have managed to do a bit here and there. The 1891 census for England and Wales is now being indexed and over the next month or so I'll be checking all the Brangwin entries in that census. A number of people have already been traced but there is the odd one or two who have managed to go missing and may turn up in 1891.

A huge amount of material is being scanned and indexed and put up on the web. The biggest problem is find the time to check it out and keep up to date with relevant records coming on. A number of Decature newspapers have been indexed for some years and there are quite a few Dodwell entries to be checked. If anything interesting turns up it will be included in future newsletters.

A number of people provided 'profiles' for newsletters. This is one way of preserving part of your personal history. Obituaries provide some information about people but may only cover the bare bones. How can you preserve your personal history? Check out the article by Juliana Smith in this newsletter. If you haven't provided a profile for the newsletter how about doing so?

July saw the addition of a new family member: Olivia Ann Barnett born July 11. She is the daughter of my nephew Jason and his partner Bec and a sister for Declan. Congratulation!

In previous newsletters we have seen that some families keep popping up in association with the Brangwin family. Dreweatt, Deane, Hobbs to name just a few. There is another one that I keep coming across: Swallow. Once again, there are associations between Brangwins, Dreweatts and Swallows. Next month we will look at the Swallow connection.

In this edition of the newsletter we look at:

I hope you enjoy learning more about your extended family.

Contributions to the Newsletter are most welcome. If you find something that you would like to share please send it to me so that it can be included in a newsletter or post it on the family web site. My email address is lwuth@hups.net

Lorraine Wuth

Editor

Brangwyn Family Get-together
28 June 2003
from Margaret A. Brangwyn with photos from Martin Ridnell

Some twenty years ago I had a letter from Naomi Brangwyn as she had decided to try to find out more about the tree, but at that my time was taken up with small children and I hadn't been bitten by the genealogy bug.

Then in 2001, having been researching the family myself for about six years, I decided to write to a few Brangw*n*s in the hope of extending what I already knew about the family. At the time I wrote the letters the tree was still in three pieces which I referred to as "Castle", "Edmund" and "Frank." I was convinced even then that one day all three parts would come together and prove my theory that there is only one Brang*w*n family in the world, which of course they did.

I kept in touch with some of the members of the "Castle" part and we became good pen pals (or emails pals, as the case may be).

It was delightful, therefore, to be able to meet so many of the "Castle" Brangwyns when they had a family get-together in June. Ron and Mary were visiting from the States and everyone was to gather at Eileen's house in Northampton. Margaret and Brang, and David and I were very happy to be included in this family gathering.

I had brought a print-out of the whole family tree, which was laid out right across the lawn for people to study. This aroused a great deal of interest and there were many questions about how everyone was related. There were brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, grandparents and grandchildren, ninth cousins once removed, tenth cousins, tenth cousins once removed and more, but I felt we were all just one big, happy family.

It was good to meet Naomi at last, and Ron kept us all in stitches. From our correspondence I was not expecting such an extrovert Ron as I met that day. (I still have the photo of your shoes, Ron!) Andrew and Deborah showed an interest in joining the family page, which I hope they will soon do.

Eileen kept us well provided for with a never-ending supply food and drink. The day was sunny and bright, so we were able to sit in Eileen's garden, with its lovely view over the park. Late in the afternoon we even saw a hang-glider and some hot air balloons passing over head, as if it was arranged especially for us.

As we left, we felt we hadn't just met relatives, but spent a wonderful time with good friends.

I can't wait for the next family gathering and hopefully at the next one there will be even more members of our world-wide family.

L to R: Ron, Deborah, David, Geoffrey, with Gordon and Margaret looking at the tree.    
    L to R, back: Deborah, David, Geoffrey, Andrew; front: Gordon and Margaret.
L to R: Margaret, Ron and Gordon discussing a part of the tree while David looks on.    
    L to R, back: Deborah, David, Geoffrey, Andrew; front: Gordon and Margaret.

It's a Small World
from Mike Collins

My next door neighbour, Ernie Williams, died in 2001 at the age of 91. Four years before, when he was a mere 87-year-old, in 1997, my wife Ruby and I had one of our several trips to the UK. Ernie knew that we were including a visit to Wales during this trip and asked us if we could visit his birth town of Newtown in Powys. Ernie’s family had migrated from Wales to Melbourne, Victoria in 1916 when he was six but he still had memories of his grandparents who were the licensees of the Newtown Inn. He even gave me a tariff card advertising the cost of accommodation at the Newtown Inn as “full board and a private room for 2 Shillings and 6 Pence per week”.

Ruby and I made a detour in our itinerary and found the Newtown Inn. I asked the licensee is he was prepared to provide accommodation at his advertised rates and showed him the tariff card. He looked at it and promptly replied “Certainly if you can pay in the advertised currency”. We took video film of Newtown, the Inn, and one of its oldest customers who thought he could remember when the Williams family ran the establishment during WW1, for Ernie, and continued on our way.

Later that trip, whilst visiting my cousin in Ludgershall, Wiltshire, she showed me a sketchbook that had belonged to my great-aunt Gertrude. Gertrude, who was the youngest daughter of John William Irving and Mary Brangwin, had for a period during 1917 worked at the tearooms in Tidworth (near Ludgershall) where she served numerous Australian soldiers who had been stationed at nearby barracks for WW1. She kept her sketchbook at the tearooms and numerous servicemen made entries in that book. Some of the entries were poems, some sketches (including sketches of Gertrude - sometimes not fully clothed). Many of the authors were identified, giving their name, rank, number, regiment etc. Gertrude appears to have been a flirtatious young lady in her mid-twenties with a strong attraction to Australians.

One of the entries (and I recorded several) was as follows-

“Re: HMAS Ballarat A 70 Torpedoed 25 April 1917

“WE WERE TORPEDOED ON ANZAC DAY
AND I AM VERY PLEASED TO SAY
HOW WELL THE BOYS BEHAVED
AND EVERYONE WAS SAVED

[Name - removed by Mike Collins] 9th Machine Gun Coy. A. I. F. 8/5/17”

This refers to the sinking by torpedo of the troop ship, HMAS Ballarat, in the English Channel carrying Australian troops to the UK for the Great War.

After returning to Western Australia and showing Ernie Williams the video of the Newtown Inn, he happened to mention again his trip to Australia with his parents and siblings, as migrants. He even showed us a postcard picture of the ship they travelled on to Melbourne arriving in December 1916. It was the P & O steam ship “Ballarat”. On its return to UK from Melbourne it became a troop ship with the name “HMAS Ballarat”, but never made it to port.

Ten Steps to Recording Your Personal History
by Juliana Smith originally published in Ancestry Daily News

As family historians, we often forget that we are an important part of our family's history. It should be easy to write our own life story, since we know more about ourselves than anyone else, but we still tend to put it off. Here are a few ideas to help get your personal history project off the ground.

1. Schedule some "me" time.
With today's busy schedules, we often find ourselves rushing from one task to the next, with little time for ourselves. By scheduling a little time to record your personal history, you are allowing time for yourself to reflect on the day and on your life as a whole; this can often be very therapeutic. It can be whenever is most convenient for you-after a hectic day, before the morning rush, or while your spouse is watching a TV show you despise.

2. Make it convenient.
By choosing a method that is convenient, you will be more likely to follow through. If you are more comfortable in front of the computer, create a file for your journal there. You can choose your own platform-from specialized software to a basic word-processing document. If you are more comfortable with a journal and pen, find one that you can take with you anywhere. You can fill it out while you are on a swing in the garden, in a doctor's waiting room, on break or lunch at work, in bed, on an exercise bike, on a bus, train, or plane, or even in a car (preferably not while driving though!).

3. Do a little at a time.
While the task of documenting your personal history may seem overwhelming at first, if you do it a little at a time, you will find it much less intimidating. If you focus on smaller periods of your life and don't try to record it all at once, the project will seem much more manageable. If you think of something for another period, you can jot down a note for later reference. It doesn't necessarily have to be done in chronological order, and you can pick and choose your focus as the mood strikes or as memories are stirred.

4. Interview yourself.
If you have a hard time or are not comfortable with traditional forms of journal writing, you might want to interview yourself, just as you would other family members. Ask yourself the questions you would ask an ancestor if you had the opportunity.

5. Liven it up with current events.
By including events that were in the news during the period you are recording, your history will be more illuminating as you set it against the context of the times. You may also find that by recalling historical events, you will be stirring more personal memories.

6. Jog your memory.
Events are not the only thing that can bring back memories. Photographs, letters or cards, yearbooks, and other memorabilia can all serve to bring back those memories that have been pushed to the back of your brain. Familiar smells and sounds can also be powerful memory stimulants.

7. Introduce your friends and family.
Include tidbits about those around you. By including friends and family, your descendants will have better insight into family relations and the way you interact with others.

8. Let your light shine through.
By sharing your thoughts, ideals, favorite quotes, and jokes, you will give your readers a glimpse into your true self and let them know what a truly unique and wonderful person you are!

9. Get help online.
There are many sites online that can give ideas, stimulation, and information to help you create a captivating personal history. Here are a few:

10. Make it fun.
There are no rules. If you have fun creating your memoirs, your readers will most likely have fun reading it. Be as creative as you want, and include whatever you want. Photos, textiles, maps, pressed flowers from your garden, news or magazine articles, receipts, recipes, song lyrics or poetry, favorite quotations and jokes, cards you've received, a picture of a sunset-anything that makes you happy or sad or makes you think.

However you choose to preserve your memories, they will be a reflection of you and your devotion to preserving your family history, and your family will love you for it!

PS to the Begging Letters
from Margaret A. Brangwyn

As I was still ploughing my way through deciphering the copies of the 249 letters from Frank Brangwyn we obtained from the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery I found the following written by FB to his friend Mr M Walker, who lived in Wolverhampton, as did Mrs McDonald who wrote asking for the loan of £10:

THE JOINTURE, DITCHLING, SUSSEX
STATION: HASSOCKS, TEL.: HASSOCKS 31.

Feb. 11. 1934

Dear Walker
Many thanks for your letter, in which you mention that the Gallery people in your town have paid me for the Still life. It is not [ ] the only payment I have had [ ] the first one, almost you remember Hull has bought, so I hear The pelago for the gallery. so This now has a home.

I have had the enclosed letter, it reads as if it was a real enough. May I ask you to call on this person or find out if what she says is true, you will know better than anyone. I will gladly help
(page 2)
if alright. let me have back the letter and do the best you can. The weather here for the past few days has been like spring. The bulbs coming up, I will write you again in a day or so hope all is well with you & your health.

Yours very sincerely
Frank Brangwyn

------------------------

THE JOINTURE, DITCHLING, SUSSEX
STATION: HASSOCKS, TEL.: HASSOCKS 31.

Feb 26. 1934

Dear Walker
What a bit of pork. how shall we get through it. anyway I made a start yesterday had a bit boiled cold. Made me think of the good old days, staying in farms etc. It is a most mild fine bit of stuff no doubt you saw Hull bought some of the pictures. I had a letter from Newcastle which I enclose, I have not yet answered it.

By the way did you find out any more about the dress maker. I can't help thinking that she is better than my first impression, anyway I will do what you say. as soon as the weather gets better, I hope you will come over and we can talk all things over. With all my best wishes & again many thanks

Yours FB

So now we know that FB was willing to help in a genuine case of hardship. Some of the other letters also reveal his generosity, though he usually gets Mr Walker to do the actual giving, so that FB himself will not be "bothered" by the recipient.

From the 1891 census

Arthur Francis Brangwin, son of George Thomas Brangwin and Susannah Caroline Abbey, was lodging with George Wilson in Paddington. Age 23. Occupation: Art student. Also at this address was his brother Henry J L. Henry was single, 19, commercial clerk. Place of birth for both was given as London.

Living at Beaufort Lodge, Camberwell, London were George W Brangwin, 43, tabacco merchant, born London, and his wife Sophia S. She was 46 and born in Camberwell. Also in the household were children Sophia, 19, Gertrude, 17, and Charles, 13, scholar, all born at Septford, Surrey, and daughter Helen, 7, born at Camberwell. Sophia's mother, Sophia Green, a 74 year old widow born in Camberwell was also in the household.

At Chestnut, Hertfordshire we have

Francis Brangwin, the son of Thomas Hobbs Brangwin and Elizabeth Fenner, was a patient in the St Mary Islington Workhouse Infirmary. He was 32, of no occupation, born London. Francis died at the Islington Workhouse in 1918.

Richard Brangwin, son of William Brangwin and Mary Curtis, was living at Stratford Le Bow St Mary in London in 1891. He was 46, born at Littlewick, Berkshire, and a carman. His wife, Maria, was 48, born Hughendon, Bucks. Maria's mother, Mary Saunders, an 83 year old widow was also listed in the household. Of Richard and Maria's 9 children, 3 were at home at the time of the census: William, 24, a carman, born Sydenham, Kent; Levi, 12, and John, 11, both scholars and born in Bow, London.

Thomas Brangwin, son of John Brangwin and Elizabeth Cowan, was living at 62 Gt Portland St, Marylebone, London. He was 37, a window something, born Woking, Surrey. His wife, Margaret, was 34, a domestic cook, born Cardogy, Wales.

74 year old William E Brangwin, son of George Brangwin and Mary Keene, was living at 126 Pmeray St, St Pauls, London. He was a retired bleacher and cleaner. Place of birth was given as Great Marlow, Bucks. His wife, Sarah, was 81 was born in Borough, Surrey. Also in the household was William's sister-in-law, the 76 year old widowed Esther Wright. She had been born in Camberwell, Surrey.

Susannah Maria Brangwin, 20, daughter of Richard Brangwin and Maria Saunders, was working as a barmaid in Bethnal Green, London.

Other bits and pieces

Robert Francis Halfacre, husband of Sarah Jane Brangwin [daughter of George Brangwin and Emma Amelia Gray] died in 1925.

Robert Francis Halfacre, son of the above Robert Francis Halfacre and Sarah Jane Brangwin, died in 1919.

Elsie Jane Halfacres, daughter of Robert Francis Halfacre and Sarah Jane Brangwin, married Albert Head, died 1943.

I hope you have found this edition of the Brangwin Family Newsletter of interest.

I would like to thank Margaret once again for her contribution to the newsletter, also Mike Collins.

That's it for this month.

If you have anything you would like to contribute to the newsletter it would be most welcome.

Until then next time

Lorraine