Research Forum

The CLARK Dynasty of Weston
published by Pat Hase on Mon, 27/07/2020 - 15:21

I found this marvellous photograph in the Weston-super-Mare Gazette Pictorial Revue for 1931. Pictured at a reunion are all 12 children of Charles and Cordelia CLARK who were married at Holy Trinity Church, St Phillips, Bristol on the 10th August 1871. All their children were born in Weston where Charles CLARK was a Hay and Corn Merchant and Greengrocer situated in St James Street.

Charles was born in Shipham in 1845 and Cordelia in Priddy. Some of the surnames which are connected with members of this family are ADAMS, ADAMSON, BOARD, DEMACK, DYER, HEDGES, MILKINS, PALMER, ROE, SHALLISH, TRIPP, WAY. Can you add to the family?

Their names were: Herbert Henry "Bert", Constance May, Jessie, Charles Henry, Cecil, David John, Amelia Melinda, Blanche Maria, Ernest Edgar, Percival Victor, Mary Ann and Douglas Arthur. Can you identify any of them?

Comments ..

Submitted by Jenny Towey on Tue, 04/08/2020 - 9:16

Smashing photo, Pat

Submitted by Pat Hase on Tue, 04/08/2020 - 13:54

I have been sent this by a member of the CLARK family. This accompanied the published photograph.

‘Family Reunion
‘The return home on holiday from South Africa of Mr. H.H. (Bert) Clark, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clark, formerly of St. James Street, resulted in an interesting reunion with his six bothers and five sisters. All the brothers had been prominently associated with the local swimming club.

‘After having a group photograph taken, the Clark family – augmented by wives and children to a total of over 30 (no husbands?) – chartered a chars-a-banc to pay a visit of filial affection to Shipham (birthplace of their father) and Priddy (birthplace of their mother).

‘High up on Mendip top the party felt the need for tea and called at a tiny wayside inn. The good wife, learning that the company was so large, temporarily collapsed, but, being resourceful, quickly revived to practical purpose. There was enough food, but the crockery was limited to half a dozen cups and saucers, which had to be used in turn, while the tea was brewed in an eight-gallon milk churn.’

Many thanks for sending this piece of background information.

Submitted by PHClark on Tue, 04/08/2020 - 18:21

Clark Picture

Standing from Left.
David John (1881-1988), Amelia Melinda (Milly) (1882-1948), Jim (Douglas) (1891-1949), Cecil (1880-), Percy (1885-) Jessie (1876-1965), Ernest (1886-1966),

Seated from Left.

Blanche (1883-), Harry (1878-), Constance May (1875-), Herbert H. (Bert) (1873-1950), Mary Ann (Dolly) (1889-1980)

Submitted by Pat Hase on Wed, 05/08/2020 - 19:28

A couple of queries - the first is probably a typo - Did David John really live to be 107 or is this his probate in 1968?

If you look at the marriages on this site for Emmanuel you will find the marriage of Amelia Melinda CLARK and could this be her probate? This is a slightly different date for her death than you have.

Did Jessie marry Sidney ROE? If so, you will find her burial in Milton Road Cemetery on our site in 1968 - perhaps that is also a typo - 3s,5s, & 8s are notorious for this. Check with FreeBMD. Hope this is helpful - the picture is such a fantastic part of your family history, thanks for naming them all.

Submitted by PHClark on Wed, 05/08/2020 - 21:09

Thanks Pat, you're right about both dates! David John's death was 1968. I thought I got jessie's date from FreeBMD but I'll check again.

Submitted by PHClark on Wed, 05/08/2020 - 21:14

Jessie Roe was 92 when she died in 1968 = Free BMD.

Submitted by on Sat, 28/08/2021 - 22:40

Great photo, Hebert Henry Clark married my Great Grans sister, Alice Maud Mary Dyer.