Genealogical Enquiries

The queries below include posts that were added to our Family History Message Board and to our previous Genealogical Enquiries page. We no longer have a message board so if you have a query about your family history, you may post a comment on this page or email us.

For more information about using this site for tracing your family history, please see our Guidelines for Family Historians.


Meldreth migrants to Lambeth, Croydon

By Jon Casbon on 26/10/2018 at 02:43

Reuben Casbon migrated from Meldreth to Lambeth sometime between the 1861 and 1871 censuses, presumably to improve his station in life and that of his family. I’m wondering if there were any other Meldreth families that moved to Lambeth in the latter half of the 19th century. Likewise, Reuben’s brother, Samuel Clark Casbon, moved to Croydon in 1880. Did any Meldreth families move there too?


 

Waldock family

By Nicky Whyte on 07/04/2018 at 20:13
nicky@whyteinfo.co.uk

My great grandfather was Charles Waldock, born in Meldreth about 1856, according to various later censuses. There seem to have been a lot of Waldock families in Meldreth at the time and I cannot work out who his parents were. He married Alice Eliza White in Chelmsford in 1879 but no parents appear to be entered on the marriage certificate. Any help would be gratefully received.

Re: Waldock family

By Kathryn Betts on 09/04/2018 at 11:19

As far as I can see from a quick look at the 1861 & 1871 census returns for Meldreth (on Ancestry & FindMyPast), there seem to be two main contenders: a Charles Waldock born c. 1855, son of Daniel and Charlotte and a Charles Waldock born c. 1858, son of Isaac and Ann. The former was baptised on 24 December 1854 in Holy Trinity Church, Meldreth.

It is unusual for there to be no father’s name given on a marriage certificate. Do you have a copy of the actual certificate?

Re: Waldock family

By Nicky Whyte on 17/04/2018 at 13:06
nicky@whyteinfo.co.uk

Thanks, yes I had found these two families, as well as quite a few other Waldock families living in Meldreth at that time. I have now sent away for the marriage certificate to see if a father is mentioned. I did see a transcript on one website and one of the names mentioned was Edward Warren. I think Charlotte was a Warren so we could be looking at Daniel and Charlotte but it’s all speculation at the moment. We’ll see what the actual certificate throws up.


William Kefford

By Carol Kefford Eshelman on 06/07/2017 at 20:46

I have traced my great grandfather William Kefford to Meldreth. Per ancestry.com he was born in Meldreth in 1853. His father was John Kefford and his mother Anne Pettit. He had two brothers George and John. He is listed in the US Census in 1880 as living in Lewistown, Pennsylvania with a 3 year old son Jerry who was born in New York City. If anyone has any information on whether this William Kefford is the same as the one who settle in Lewistown, Pennsylvania I would love to hear from you. Thank you.


John Casborn, Parish Clerk of Meldreth

By Jon Casbon on 17/02/2017 at 15:46

I’m trying to find out more about this man. I’ve found 2 references to him in FHL microfilm of parish registers: 18 May 1791 reference to a plot of land and occupation of a cottage, and 4 Jan 1796 burial record, age 75. Based on his age, I’m guessing this is John Casborn, baptised in Orwell 1721. I believe he might be the same man who married Ann Chamberlain 18 Jan 1742/3 in Wimpole. Are there any other records that might might indicate when he was appointed Parish Clerk, or give more insight into his activities? Thanks in advance!


Casbon/copyhold of Sheene Manor

By Jon Casbon on 23/01/2017 at 05:21

I noticed an allotment to James Casbourn “as and for copyhold of the Manor of Sheene (Heriotable)” in the 1820 Enclosure Award Book. How can I find out when copyhold was first granted to a member of the Casbon (& variants) family & who held it at various times?

Re: Casbon/copyhold of Sheene Manor

By bruce Huett on 25/01/2017 at 11:41
brucehuett@compuserve.com

I live in a cottage which was once part of the Sheene Estate. I have been intending to do research on its history for some time, but haven’t yet got started. However I do have details of all the manorial records held in the Cambridgeshire Archives. There is an online catalogue or I would be happy to send you details of the records they hold. As Cambridgeshire Archives is in the process of relocating to Ely, it is wise to contact them in advance if you wish to view any documents.


Agnes Ann Ellis

By Peter Cunnington on 20/12/2016 at 16:58
p.cunnington1@ntlworld.com

My great great grandfather, Rev. Edward Thomas Egg married Agnes Ann Ellis of Meldreth. I am interested to find out as much as possible about the wedding, where it was held and who the parents were of Agnes Ann. Any help would be much appreciated.

Re: Agnes Ann Ellis

By Kathryn Betts on 30/12/2016 at 16:25
info@meldrethhistory.org.uk

Thank you for your enquiry. According to a scan of a non-conformist birth/baptism available on FindMyPast (National Archives reference TNA/RG/5/148), Agnes Ann Ellis was born at the house of Ann Fitch in Meldreth on 1st March 1837. She was the daughter of Joseph Ellis of Meldreth, Gentleman and Ann his wife, who was the daughter of George Starkins Wallis of Meldreth, Miller.

According to a newspaper report (also available on FindMyPast or via the British Newspaper Archive) her marriage to Edward Thomas Egg, pastor of the Congregational Church, Woodford, Essex took place in 1859 in the Independent Chapel in Melbourn. Agnes’ father had died by this time and her mother had remarried, as her name is given as Mrs A C Wright.

You can find more information on the Ellis/Egg families in the Victoria County History for Meldreth and on this site (search for Egg in both cases). For example, Mrs Agnes Egg appears as a landowner in several of the Kelly’s Directories and the Valuation Office Survey and was the owner of four cottages destroyed in a fire in 1905.


Doris & Leonard Rodgers

By Chris Carey on 15/11/2016 at 13:17

Doris and Leonard Rodgers were the children of Frank Rodgers, who at the age of 15 murdered his mother in the Gables, High Street, Meldreth. Frank married Christiana Cross (a cousin of mine) and had Doris and Leonard. I cannot find any information about what happened to them. Does anyone have any information they could share with me?  I would also love to know if Christiana knew of Frank’s past. Many thanks.

Webmaster’s Comment: for more information on this family see: https://www.meldrethhistory.org.uk/topics/meldreths_tragedies/murder_at_the_gables-3/murder_at_the_gables


William Clements

By Reg Clements on 11/06/2016 at 18:24

Hello, I am looking for any information on my Dad, William Clements. He lived in Royston and worked in an Asbestos-Cement Firm in Meldreth from 1930-1940. I know he worked with a gentleman with the surname Chapman. I would be very grateful for any information.


Muriel Nelson

By John Herrington on 02/03/2016 at 18:12

For her entry in a bibliography I am researching, I am trying to identify a Muriel Nelson who wrote many light novels as well as plays in at least the 1920s-1940s period. From various newspaper snippets on Findmypast I have discovered that a Muriel Nelson, authoress and playwright, was living in Meldreth c1939. But so far a search on Ancestry, 1939 Register, etc. has failed to find a Muriel Nelson with a Cambridgeshire connection. I have no idea how long she may have lived in Meldreth, and will grateful if anyone can help me identify her. Many thanks.

Re: Muriel Nelson

By Kathryn Betts on 04/03/2016 at 15:31

There is a Muriel Louise Nelson (also recorded as Louise Muriel) listed in the 1939 register.  She was living in Temple House, High Street, Meldreth. Her date of birth is given as 19 March 1907.  I hope this helps.

Re: Muriel Nelson

By John Herrington on 19/03/2016 at 12:43

Many thanks Kathryn but it appears that your Muriel Nelson is not the author I am looking for, despite her being an author as well. According to newspapers from 1939 she was a playwright and authoress, whose play ‘Where’s there a will’ and other pieces were produced locally. The author I am after wrote a number of light number of light romances in the period 1920-1938. Which could not be someone one born in 1906. Muriel Louise Ranney was born in Chicago in 1906 and seems to have lived there until around 1923 when she left for France and later arrived in England where she married Henry Iredale Nelson in 1929 in Wycombe. By the late 1930s she is living in Meldreth but for how long I do not know as she was living in Royston, Herts when she died 4/4/1972. Her husband died in the Cambridge area in 1996. Regards John


William Blott

By Patricia Robb on 09/10/2015 at 20:55

William Blott b. 1809 Haslingfield was my great great grandfather. He was a jobbing farmer and had a small plot of land. He married Elisabeth Hall in Meldreth 1841. They had William (1842) (my great grandfather), Martha, Emma, Polly & Daniel. He died in 1887 and was buried in Meldreth. His eldest son, William married Emily Farnham in 1866 in Meldreth. Wm was a farmer and stonecutter and I heard he worked in The Maltings in Meldreth and had very little land. Children: William James 1867, Bertha, Harry Charles, Arthur, Albert, Emily, Miriam. (Emily married F Course and they had Vida, Phyllis, Pat, and 2 others). William James m Alice Foreman of Chelsfield, in 1890. Wm James was a Corn Chandler in Bromley. He died in Feb 1906. Their children were Hilda (died young), Ethel (my mother) 1893, William 1900, Marjorie ? and Albert 1903.


The Casbon family

By Jon Casbon on 14/09/2015 at 22:14

Hello, I just discovered your lovely website. I’m descended from Isaac Casbon (b. abt 1773 in Meldreth; many spellings of the name: Casbel, Casburn, Casbolt, etc). My ancestors emigrated to the U.S. in the 1840s. I’ve been puzzling my way through various records trying to connect as many ancestors as possible and have located quite a few in the Meldreth area. One name I am particularly puzzled about is James Casbon. I have a record of James (b. 7 Sep 1806, c.28 Sep 1806). I also have evidence (such as the 1841 census) suggesting that another James was born between 1812-16; however, I haven’t been able to find a birth record of this latter James. One of these James emigrated to the U.S. about 1870, but I’m not sure which one. I don’t think you can answer that for me, but if you can locate a birth record, marriage records, etc for a James Casbon born between 1812-16, I would appreciate it.

Re: The Casbon family

By Kathryn Betts on 02/10/2015 at 14:23
info@meldrethhistory.org.uk

I have checked the Meldreth parish records for you – these are available on FindMyPast. The only relevant baptism listed is for the James you mention, who was born and baptised in 1806. This James is shown with his wife, Sussannah, and family in the 1841 census. One of their children is called Hitch and a James Casbon married Ann Hitch or Mitch, depending which transcription you look at, in Steeple Morden on 15th December 1827, so I think this would be worthy of further investigation. Their children were not baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Meldreth, although in 1851 an Alfred Hitch Casbon, son of James and Ann, was baptised there as an adult.

The other James Casbon in the 1841 census is shown with his wife Elizabeth and their children. James married Elizabeth Waller in Meldreth on 25th July 1835. Their children’s baptisms do appear in the Holy Trinity records.

If you use the search box at the top of this page you will find a few mentions of the Casbon family elsewhere on this site and if you search for casb you will find family members listed in the enclosure award document.

I hope this information is of some help.

Re: The Casbon family

By Carol Casbon Cook on 12/10/2015 at 21:40

Jon, Our James is the one who married Elizabeth Waller. The names of their children match the family stories I heard as a child. Elizabeth died in England a month after giving birth, so I am guessing that her death was due to complications following that birth. I believe the child went into a foundling home (James had no way of caring for an infant) and died before the age of two. James remarried Mary (I have forgotten the last name) by whom he had three more children, Margaret, Amos and Anne, the last of whom was born in the US.They emigrated in 1870 arriving from Liverpool in New York City on Christmas Day. Mary died four years after emigrating and James married a third time to Mary Payne, of whom there was no issue. (Rod’s son Michael should have all this information.)

Re: The Casbon family

By Jon Casbon on 19/10/2015 at 17:13
jcasbon@gmail.com

Carol, Thanks for the reply and additional information. I agree with you that our James was married to Elizabeth Waller. I’ve been trying to find records that establish when James was born and who his parents were. I’ve been told that he was the brother of Thomas (b. abt 1803) and William (b. abt 1806), sons of Isaac (b. abt 1773) and Susanna (Howes). However, I haven’t been able to locate James’ birth records. Incidentally, James second wife was either Mary Cooper or Mary Harper, but I haven’t been able to locate those marriage records either. I would love to share information with Rod’s son Michael, but I don’t have his contact info. Thanks again…I hope we have a chance to meet one of these days.

Re: The Casbon family

By Jon Casbon on 19/10/2015 at 17:03
jcasbon@gmail.com

Thank you Kathryn, for looking into this matter for me. I’ve been using familysearch.org, which gives me quite a bit of information, but not as detailed as what you have provided. The James I am most interested in is the one shown in the 1841 census with wife Elizabeth. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to locate birth records for this James. Anecdotally, he is a third child of Isaac Casbull (Casbel, Casbell, Carsborn) and Susannah Howes. I’ve seen birth records for Isaac’s 2 sons Thomas (ch.1803) and William (ch.1806), but not James, who would have been born around 1813. I enjoyed viewing the other references to Casbon using the search box. Thanks again for your assistance.


Edie M. Abrey

By Jeff Watts on 09/08/2015 at 19:05
mendoman@mcn.org

My mother left me a 1909 edition of “Mrs Beeton’s Family Cookery”. Inscribed in the cover is “Edie M. Abrey 1913”. As a nine year old I recall visiting her with my parents in Hackney, East London right after WWII. Are there any Meldreth Abreys who might be related? She was referred to as “aunt” and was elderly. I was born in Ilford, Essex in 1936.

Jeff Watts aka Godfrey James Watts Gualala, California 95445-1718 USA 1-707-884-3057

PS: You can read my “Reminiscences of an Evacuee” at the Chudleigh History website. JW.

Re: Edie M. Abrey

By Linda Elmes Harrington on 21/10/2015 at 18:23
archee025@yahoo.com

I don’t know anything about the lady you are talking about. However, I know of an Edith Abrey in Rochester, New York who was a friend of Arthur and Elsie Cooper Chapman who came here in 1925. I lived in the same apartment complex as her and her husband in the 1970’s in Greece, New York, a suburb of Rochester New York. She has passed away. I know her ancestors were from the Meldreth area. Perhaps my Edith is a niece of your Edie. I will try and get more information from my distant cousin Linda Larmon Tyree, whose mother was Jane Harper Larmon. Descended from Meldreth area. (Chapmans were my grandparents.)


Wing Family

By Trevor Hamilton on 20/07/2015 at 04:35
t.j.hamilton2010@gmail.com

Hi. I have been researching the Wing family in Meldreth. My grandmother was Minnie Wing (a descendant of Susannah Wing of Meldreth I believe) who emigrated to Australia in 1889. I visited Meldreth and Melbourn in 2013 and am interested in finding other people researching the Wing family.

Re: Wing Family

By Joan Fallon on 19/10/2015 at 14:26
joan.fallon@btinternet.com

My grandfather was William John WING born 10/3/1893 in Meldreth

His father was Henry John WING baptised 27/10/1867 in Meldreth, labourer and his mother was Louisa Jane Winters

Henry’s father was William WING baptised 10/4/1831 and his mother was Mary

William’s father was also William WING born 6/4/1814, baptised 6/2/1821 and his mother was Esther Carter

We think that this William’s father was James WING baptised 6/5/1781, publican and that his mother was Ann

James’ father was Thomas WING, baptised 26/10/1755 and his mother was Mary

Thomas’ father was James and his mother was Sarah

We got these from the Meldreth parish register of baptisms (available on FindMyPast or from Cambridgeshire Family History Society).

I hope this helps. William John WING’s daughter is still alive aged 92.

Re: Wing Family

By Kenneth Wing on 21/10/2015 at 16:01

Hello I am also researching the Wing family. My great grandfather was Herbert William Wing Born abt 1846 in Meldreth. Father Arthur T, Mother Susan Woods. He had two brothers and a sister.

Re: Wing Family

By Richard Walker on 27/04/2016 at 16:29

My great grandmother’s sister Susan Woods (1823-1907) married Thomas Wing (1821-1861), master tailor Meldreth, and had four children. Arthur Thomas and Ann appear to have had no children. Herbert William went to USA and founded a large family. James disappeared. Possibly last seen in 1871 census aged 21. Where did he go? I am in contact with Kenneth Wing.


Pepper Family

By Ian Jackson on 05/05/2015 at 13:43
i.cjackson@btinternet.com

In 1967 my father found out that his real surname was Pepper. His real father was named John William Pepper who was the last son of Henry and Elizabeth Pepper of Dolphin Lane, Melbourn. I know that this family are directly related to the Peppers of Meldreth, indeed Henry was born in Meldreth and was the son of Joseph and Ann Pepper. I am interested in hearing from anyone who is related to the Pepper family. My father never had any contact with any of his father’s relatives.


Harold Pepper

By Jayne Richardson on 16/04/2015 at 09:38
jayne26fox@gmail.com

My grandfather was Harold Pepper and he owned Whitecroft Gables in Meldreth. He was a smallholder and was well known at Royston market. He died in 1964 at the age of 75. I’m trying to find out more about his family. I think he had a sister called Minnie. I am aware of Dennis Pepper and his family but, as far as I know, they are not related to me.

Re: Harold Pepper

By Kathryn Betts on 05/05/2015 at 22:30
info@meldrethhistory.org.uk

According to the 1901 census for Meldreth, Harold’s parents were William and Mary Pepper. They had four children: Minnie (aged 19), Frederick (aged 16), Harold (aged 12) and Stanley (aged 10). According to www.freebmd.org.uk, a William Pepper married a Mary Carter in the Royston District in the December quarter of 1878.  The 1871 census shows Mary living with her family in the neighbouring village of Melbourn.

Re: Harold Pepper

By Ian Pepper on 09/04/2016 at 11:10
i.cjackson@btinternet.com

Harold Pepper had four siblings: Minnie, Frederick, Ellen, and Stanley. His relationship to me is a first cousin twice removed. My father is John William Pepper, son of John William Pepper born to Henry and Elizabeth Pepper of Melbourn.


The Rathbone Family

By Joan Gane on 16/03/2015 at 14:44
info@meldrethhistory.org.uk

We are currently researching Meldreth Football Club. We believe that William Rathbone, who lived in Meldreth Manor House with his wife Peggy in 1946, may have been instrumental in reviving the Football Club after WW2. Does anyone have any information about the Rathbones?

Re: The Rathbone Family

By Kathryn Betts on 23/07/2015 at 15:28

There is a photograph album in the University of Liverpool library dating from 1945-1973 that was the property of Peggie and William Rathbone IX. The album includes photographs of the Manor House, Meldreth (with auctioneer’s brochure). The catalogue reference is RP XXV.7.53. The university also holds a visitors book, which lists visitors to the Manor House in Meldreth when the Rathbones lived there (ref RP XXV.3.32). There is some general information on the Rathbone family on the University’s website.


David Herne

I am searching for information on David Herne and his wife Doris Herne nee Hines.  Until their deaths they lived in Melbourn.  They married in Cambridge around 1961, whilst living at Flint Cross.  I know that during this time David was a bus driver on the 108 bus Royston-Cambridge route and believe Doris worked in a restaurant. I have found out that David used to work as a driver for Don Weatherhead in Royston, and previously to this at the Atlas Stone Company in Meldreth.  Doris was originally from Suffolk and used to work at Pie’s in Cherry Hinton.  I would be so grateful to anyone who could tell me when and where David and Doris met, and if anyone has any photographs of David and Doris or any kind of information about their lives.

If you can help, please email me.  Thank you.

from Natalie Kemp
August 2011

Natalie, thank you for your enquiry.  I have looked up David and Doris on the website FindMyPast and have found the following information:
Bernard D Herne married Doris E R Hines in Cambridge.  The marriage was registered in the March quarter (January to March) 1961.  If you ordered their marriage certificate it would give you their ages and address(es) at the time of marriage and from there you may be able to find the registration of their births if you wished.  To order a certificate, you will need the above details plus the volume number (4A) and the page number (635).  Hope this helps.


Mills Cottages

Do you have any information, please, regarding a pair (or row) of dwellings in Meldreth, known as Mills Cottages? Apparently they were still in existence in the 1950s. My great-great-grandfather, Thomas W Mills, was born in Meldreth in 1843 & spent his early years with his (single) mother at Mills Cottages. When his mother eventually married, Thomas, sick of the harsh treatment he received from his stepfather, ran away to London.

from Alison Hoskins

Alison, thank you for your enquiry.  Unfortunately, we have been unable to find any information about these cottages.  Perhaps the name has been changed.  If anyone can help further, please add a comment at the bottom of this page.

Please see the comment below, added in October 2012, which suggests that these may have been located in what is now Flambards Close, near Flambards Mill.


Roger Honeychurch

I am a descendant of Roger Honeychurch said to be the Clerk Vicar of Mildreth (Meldreth). His date of birth is 1554.  Does anyone have any more information about him please?

from Carolyn Fitzgarrald

Carolyn, we have looked through our records but unfortunately have no record of Roger Honeychurch.  There is a board in the church, but it lists only the vicars and not the clerk vicars.  Can anyone else help?


Meldreth Park, Adelaide, South Australia

I am currently researching the name & suburb in which I live, in Adelaide, South Australia.  Recently I discovered that my suburb, now named Brooklyn Park, was called Meldreth Park, with three  streets, being Thanet, Whaddon & Lysle. This was a subdivision laid out by Arthur and Frances Sophia Walker in 1912, but changed names before 1936. From your website I have discovered that Whaddon is about 1.5km from Meldreth Village. Do you know of any links with Thanet & Lysle from your area?

I am a member of our local historical group, West Torrens Historical Soc, which can be located at www.westtorrenshistory.org.  This site has photographs and resources on West Torrens, etc.

We are currently researching street names in the West Torrens Council area, hence my research questions, regarding Meldreth Park.

Hope you may be able to assist with some possible answers.

Bev Bills

Bev, many thanks for your enquiry.  We are not aware of any links with Thanet and Lyle but we believe that Meldreth Park may have been given its name via a connection with the Mortlock family.  Please see our introduction to the family for more details.

Comments about this page

  • I am related to the Moxon family of Meldreth & have traced a lot of the family tree. I am very interested in any direct descendants of the Moxons, also Pepper, Mead & Hinkins. I grew up in Melbourn & never realised that I had so many relatives nearby.

    By Matt Mccomb (22/11/2020)
  • My father’s side of the family has been traced to Meldreth. Edward Coningsby (born 1801) was convicted and transported to Tasmania. I am currently attempting to put together information on interesting ancestors for my grandchildren. If anyone is able to provide me with information on where the Coningsbys lived and particularly photos of buildings that existed in 1801 I would be particularly grateful. I can be contacted by email. Thanks.

    By Judy Hearn (29/12/2014)
  • I am researching my family tree and have noticed a number of ‘Newells’ in Meldreth. I am descended from Newells in and around Saffron Walden/Newport/Thaxted to name but a few and wondered if there were any links to the Newells here.

    my email is racnewell@yahoo.co.uk

    many thanks

    Robert

    By newell (12/11/2014)
  • Family Names I’m researching are Lee, Rayner and Jarman, Housden and Thurley. My Samuel Rayner and Sarah Jarman Lived in the High St in Meldreth according to the 1841 and 1851 censuses.

    By Rod Kennedy (02/09/2014)
  • I’m really interested in finding out if anyone has any information on the King family, which I know was from Meldreth. My mother is doing our family tree and we are really interested in any information you might have on them. I’m aware of a Walter King also a Thomas King who fought in WW1 and WW2. 

    By michelle jones (29/07/2014)
  • My Grandfather was John William Pepper and as far as I know he was the last born child of Henry and Elizabeth Pepper of Melbourn. Henry Pepper was the son of Joseph Pepper and Ann Whitmore of Meldreth.

    My grandfather ended up in a reform school in 1915. After he returned to Melbourn he married my grandma, Elsie May Langrish of Hertford. Their first child was born in Dolphin Lane Melbourn Florence May Pepper.

    Soon after my father was concieved John William Pepper left for Australia. He abandoned his pregnant wife and child. He remarried bigamously in Australia. His first wife moved back to Hertford, and then met a certain Arthur Jackson who may have come from Melbourn or Meldreth. They moved through the country and ended up in Doncaster. My father, who was named after his father, John William Pepper, went by the surname Jackson because his mother never told him that his surname, and indeed her married name was Pepper. Arthur Jackson, as I recall was not a pleasant man!

    The truth came out in 1967 when my father needed a copy of his birth certificate for his works pension. He never knew about any of his Pepper relatives in Melbourn and Meldreth.

    I only realised how many people I was possibly related to on my father’s side after starting to compile a family tree. I am related in one way or another to the Peppers and to the families they married into.

    Shame that I never knew any of them. I would love to find out and perhaps correspond with any people who are related to the Peppers from Meldreth.

    By Ian Jackson (Pepper) (29/07/2014)
  • Gloria Willers: my great gran was Susan Rose Pepper. She had 12 brothers and sisters and was married to Clement A Harper. They had 2 children: Dorothy Mabel Harper and Cyril Ernest Harper. Clement Harper, I believe went by the name of  Gus, my great grandad. They all lived at Bluebell Cottage. Dorothy married Ernest Farnham and they had one child, Monica Rose Farnham, my mum.

    By Shaun Morris (24/02/2014)
  • Can anyone please assist me? My mother’s maiden name was Iris Joyce Oxford. Her mother’s name was Connie, whose husband was a fireman. They divorced when my mother was very young. My mother met my father during the second World War when she was only 16. She married him and went to live in Lancashire. 

    In the early 1960’s I visited Meldreth to visit my mother’s grandmother (I don’t know her name) and was introduced to family members who were flag makers. This may be a clue because this was, if I recall correctly, a long established family business. My mother sadly passed away at a very young age and never mentioned much of her childhood, other than to say that it was a less than happy one. 

    I would appreciate any information and can be contacted by email.

    By Hazel Briggs (09/11/2013)
  • I am trying to find information about Amos East, born August 02, 1854. He married Sarah Green. Also William G. East, born March 7, 1857. He married Naomi Pepper. Both brothers were born in Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire. Thank you.

    By Michael East (02/09/2013)
  • I live in Queensland, Australia. My father was Gerald Thomas East, descendant of William East (date of birth 8/7/1823) and Mary-Ann (nee Waller) of Meldreth.  I would like further contact.

    By Marie Kearney [nee East] (02/04/2013)
  • A message for Karen Pepper, I have many of your relatives in my family tree. From the information you supplied we must be 3rd cousins. You are quite welcome to look at the family tree as I have it at the moment.

    By Ian Jackson (Pepper) (09/11/2012)
  • WARD FAMILY. Samuel and Elizabeth. 1797 to? Known children: Samuel b 1824; Charles b.1826; Susan b,1829; David b,1831; Lydia b.1834; James b.1839; Charlotte b.1847. Charles emigrated to Australia in 1849, married there in 1850, died in 1866. I would like to learn more about his parents, and why he wasn’t named with them on the 1841 Census.

    By Val Date (29/10/2012)
  • Val, thank you for adding an enquiry about the Ward family. I have found the following Ward baptisms in Meldreth: 

    • 12 January 1823 William, son of Samuel and Elizabeth 
    • 13 June 1824 Samuel, son of Samuel and Elizabeth – born 10 June 1824 
    • 27 June 1847 Susanna, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth 
    • 30 January 1853 David, son of Samuel and Elizabeth – adult

    Marriages in Meldreth for William and Samuel are as follows: 

    • William married Mary Smith on 14 January 1851 
    • Samuel married Mary Ann Scott on 1 May 1852 (Lydia Ward was one of the witnesses). 

    I also found a marriage for a Samuel Ward of Meldreth and Elizabeth Harman of Melbourn (the neighbouring village) in Melbourn on 24 November 1821. One of the witnesses was a Joseph Harman and Elizabeth married “with consent of parents”, presumably because she was under age. 

    The parish records for both Meldreth and Melbourn are available on FindMyPast, so the above details may enable you to find out further information on the family.

    By Kathryn Betts (29/10/2012)
  • Thank you for your enquiry about the Wing family. I have found a baptism at Holy Trinity Church, Meldreth for a James Wing on 9th November 1826. He was the son of Robert and Mary. Robert was a shopkeeper. I cannot find a baptism in the village for a John Wing. However, I did find a record for Thomas Wing, the son of Robert and Mary, who was born on 10th August 1821 and baptised in Holy Trinity Church on 7th October 1821. Robert’s occupation is given as publican. We know that members of the Wing family held the licence for both the Green Man and the Bell Public Houses around this time but I am not sure how/if this particular family is connected with them. If it helps, Robert Wing married Mary Wakefield in Holy Trinity Church on 19th July 1820. Witnesses were Dan Wing and Jane Wing.

    By Kathryn Betts (22/10/2012)
  • I am searching for information about two brothers that came from Meldreth. James Wing born 1824, and John Wing born 1837. Perhaps their father was Robert Wing. If you have any information on these men or their families in England please reply.

    By D. Dawson (21/10/2012)
  • Further to the enquiry about Mills Cottages. I think the cottages referred to were in what is now Flambards Close. There were two semi-detached cottages, one known as Daffodil Cottage, that were demolished when the estate was built in the 1960’s.

    By Ann Handscombe (17/09/2012)
  • Thank you to Gloria Willers and Ian Jackson for their reply

    By Jayne Richardson nee Pepper (30/06/2012)
  • With regard to Jayne Richardson’s comment, to avoid any confusion, I would like to confirm that Harold Pepper was not related to Samuel Pepper’s family.

    By Gloria Willers (28/06/2012)
  • Hello Jayne, There is a Harold Pepper born about 1889 to a William and Mary Pepper living on the High Street in the 1901 census, could this be your Harold? Ian Jackson (Pepper)

    By Ian Jackson (Pepper) (20/06/2012)
  • So I’m going to take the bull by the horns. There are a lot of Peppers in Meldreth but I really don’t know were I fit in or if I do at all. My grandfather was Harold Pepper.  I don’t know the name of his parents. He was the last landlord of the Queen Adelaide Pub before moving to Whitecroft Gables.  He was married to Lily Goats and they had three children: Thomas (my father), William and Ethel, all of whom are dead.  I know he was a smallholder and was known at Royston market.  He died in 1965 when I was 5 and that is about all I know. Can anyone help please?

    By Jayne Richardson nee Pepper (18/06/2012)
  • A message for Brian Pepper. As I work it out then Brian is my third cousin. If it is the same Brian whose photograph appears on this site then I can say there is a family resemblance. I wonder if Brian could be given my email address, I would like to hear any memories he has of the Peppers in Meldreth and Melbourn. Thank you.

    By Ian Jackson (Pepper) (17/06/2012)
  • In reply to Ian Jackson on 28-5-2012. My name is Brian Leslie (my father’s name) Albert (my grandfarther’s name) Pepper. My father was a son of Albert & Daisy (nee Moxon) Pepper. Albert was a brother of Ernest & Mark, my Great Uncles. Samuel Pepper would be my Great Grandfather. I hope that this is of some help.

    By Brian Pepper (09/06/2012)
  • Does anyone know if Brian Pepper is related to Ernest and Mark Pepper who died in WW1?

    By Ian Jackson (02/06/2012)
  • My grandmother, Sarah Butler (nee Pepper) was Ernest and Mark’s youngest sister. I believe that Brian Pepper’s grandfather was Albert Pepper who was also a brother of Ernest and Mark. Details of how Mark and Ernest died in WW1 are on this website and there is a photo of 11 of the 12 children with their parents in Joan King’s Memories of Meldreth which is also on the website. Mark is missing from this photo as he was born two years later. Back row l/r are Tom, Walter, Albert, Ada and Arthur. Middle row Fanny and Samuel with l/r Ernest, Edward Sarah, Andrew, Susan and Daisy.

    By Gloria Willers (02/06/2012)
  • Samuel Pepper would have been my great, great uncle, his brother Henry married Elizabeth Smith, they had 13 children. The youngest, John Pepper was my grandfather; he seems to have been a bit of a black sheep! Seems he stole money from Melbourn Conservative Club and was sent to reform school. After he married Elsie Langrosh from Hertford. He went to Australia in 1923 leaving Elsie behind. Does anyone know any more about Henry and Elizabeth and their errant son? Thanks.

    By Ian Jackson (02/06/2012)
  • I am trying to trace any relatives of the Pepper family who lived on Dolphin Lane in the early 1900’s. One son was called John William Pepper; his father was Henry Pepper who married Elizabeth Smith who came from Yorkshire and was cook to the Vicar of Meldreth.

    By Ian Jackson (12/05/2012)
  • Does anyone have any information on Mary Ann Jakes nee Hart?  She died in Cambridge in 1930, but lived in Meldreth around 1889, where she kept lodgers and possibly hired out boats. I wonder if anyone can remember talk of her from their older generations.

    By Barbara Mckinnell (25/04/2012)
  • I have recently found out that my nan’s aunt moved to Meldreth in 1911; an Emma Lambeth, who was married to William Lambeth. They arrived from East London, to retire in Meldreth. Emma passed away in 1924, and William a year later. I wonder if there are any relatives of people from those days who may have known them. They lived at Orchard Dene, a farmhouse. Any information about their lives in Meldreth would be much appreciated.

    By David Lee (22/04/2012)
  • Thank you for your enquiry David. As you may have seen, we already have some information on the Lambeth family on our page on Orchard Dene. If anybody has any more information on the family, they are welcome to add a comment to this page or submit a detailed family history.

    By Kathryn Betts (22/04/2012)
  • I don’t know if I’m related to any of the Peppers mentioned. My grandfather was Harold Pepper and he owned Whitecroft Gables. He was a small holder and was well known at Royston market. He died when I was five so that would be 1965. My farther died when i was 21 so I never got to ask about my family.

    By Jayne Richardson nee Pepper (03/04/2012)
  • In reply to Karen Pepper’s comment, my grandmother was Sarah Emma Pepper and is the little girl sitting in the front of the Meldreth Community Archive photograph. Her sister Daisy married the Rev. Fish and emigrated to New Zealand. Her two youngest brothers Ernest and Samuel Mark both died in WW1. (For more details see the page on Meldreth War Memorial – First World War Heroes – The Fallen of Meldreth.)  Sarah married Arthur Butler in 1914 and they had two sons Sidney c. 1918 and my father Wilfred in 1923, both of whom are now deceased.  Wilfred married my mother Edith Butler in 1943 and they had three children.  I was born first on 10/3/44, my sister June on 19/4/1946 and my sister Josephine on 18/4/52. Sadly June contracted meningitis and died the day after her third birthday on 20/4/1949.

    By Gloria Willers (02/02/2012)
  • Many thanks for your enquiry, Karen. There are a number of members of the Pepper family who live in the village and surrounding area. I will contact some of them to see if they can help you. In the meantime, you may like to view the photographs of “your” Pepper family on the Meldreth Community Archive.

    By Kathryn Betts (30/01/2012)
  • I am now in my mid fifties and unfortunately both my parents have passed. My father was Ronald Edward Mark Pepper, and he married Rosemary Joyce Cosgrove in December 1955. His father was Edward Pepper of Brewery Farm, and I don’t know a lot of the history apart from what I can find on the internet. I am at the age now where I am trying to find about my roots, as I am sure I have hundreds of second and third cousins or more. My name is Karen Pepper (55) and I have two brothers, Edwin (52) and Andrew Mark (46), both Peppers. I would love it if somebody could give me more info.

    By karen pepper (28/01/2012)

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