Research Forum

Hi - I am contacting you from Australia where I am undertaking a family history search. My paternal family, (Meadows) was very active in the horticultural field and entered the annual competition held in the Winter Gardens. They also owned a nursery in Hutton in the mid 60's. I would be very grateful if anyone knows any information about my family, George (Grandfather), Betty (Elizabeth, grandmother) and James (father). They attended various mayoral events and won Weston's best flower garden in 1955. Or if you can refer me to any other websites that might give me any information I would be happy to do some more resarch. Kind regards Julie Brennan. julie@robertbrennan.com.au

BEVERLY RICE sent a message via email - you can contact her by clicking on her name.

This is a little outside of our area but perhaps someone may have some ideas of how to help Beverley.

Searching for the parents and birth of Eliza COOK.  Eliza is a mystery, we
know she was born between 1815  - 1818, she married William OATEN three
months after arriving in Adelaide, South Australia.  Eliza COOK was aboard
the 'Neptune' sailed from Plymouth to South Australia, left Plymouth- arrived
here 23rd October, 1853. Married 23rd Jan. 1854 in Trinity Church, Adelaide,
South Australia.  Eliza was forbidden to marry William OATEN, but was aboard
the same ship as William OATEN who was part of the crew and in charge of the
livestock on board and responsible to present the 'cook' with meat.
We  do not know 'who' Eliza was, where she came from or who her parents or
siblings were.  There are many Eliza COOKs. Her age varies she was 36 on the
marriage certificate and William OATEN was only 24.  [Listed on the 'Neptune'
as 31]
Have you any idea where I can find more information?  As 'they' knew each
other prior to leaving, I feel she must have come from Somerset or near by.
We know William OATEN came from Pitminster, Somerset.
Thank you
Beverly

Looking at the age difference between them I'm wondering whether she was already married and COOK was her married name?

Would anyone like to sort out this family for me?  I'm going around in circles and getting nowhere!

• John STOKES appears on the 1841 census of Nailsea as a cordwainer with possible wife Sarah and four children, the first three are baptised at Holy Trinity Nailsea as children of John & Sarah - the 4th is a George aged 3 on the census.    I think Sarah was buried in Nailsea - Holy Trinity 31 July 1842 aged 36
• John STOKES appears on the 1851 census of Portbury as a shoemaker with wife Ann and the same first 3 children but an additional 4 born between 1844 and 1849.  Emily (1846) and Charles (1849) have mother's maiden name of VOWLES - from GRO Index but the other two: Sarah (1844) appears to have a mother's maiden name of WEEKS (She was christened 7th July 1844 at Christ Church, Nailsea as son of John & Ann - John a shoemaker)  and George (1840) seems to be the son of a mother with the name of HOBBS.  I think that wife Ann was buried at Portbury 11th Feb 1857
• John STOKES appears on the 1861 census of Portbury as a licenced victualler and farmer of 50 acres with wife Mary and daughter Emily.
• John STOKES appears on the 1971 census of Portbury still as a licenced Victualler with wife Mary Ann (Same age and birthplace as Mary - same person) and children Charles and Emily.

John's son Charles later becomes the Landlord of the Priory Hotel in Portbury 

As yet I haven't found any marriages for John STOKES who I believe could have been born in Portbury 1809 and christened in Clapton in Gordano the same year but no real proof - there are a lot of STOKES in this area.