This section of the Website is for members to advertise (free) for any help that they would like in finding information about their Isle of Wight ancestors. If you wish to use this service feel free to contact the Webmaster, Geoff Allan Click for email address.
 
Please put 'Website Help Wanted entry' in the subject line of your e-mail message and please quote your Membership Number in any correspondence.
 
Have you had success with your "Help Wanted" entries ? Please let us know so that we can publish your stories here.

Please note : I will keep entries on this page for one year unless you request me to retain them for longer than that. All entries prior to August 2009 have been removed, except those where the requestor has specifically asked for the entry to be retained - Webmaster, September 2010

Index to entries - click on subject header

Latest entry

Barden / West
Barnes / Dunford
Bassham
Biles or Byles
Bull Family (Mike Bull)
Cook (nee Sharpe)
Cole
Cook and Stark families
E F W Cooper
Diffey
Eldridge
Fripp
Gallipoli
Garnham
Gibbens
John Groves & family
Harbour / Harber
Harding / Parry
Hillier / Miller
Hillmer
HODGES Coal yard in East Cowes
Lang
Miller
Miller/ Hillier
British Pathé News
Rayner
Redfern
Rider / Harding
Salter
Saunders
M Sheath / S White
Smith (Newchurch)
Smith (Ryde and Arreton)
Stark and Cook families
Smith / Oglander
Thompson
Thorpe
Waters / Toogood / Cave / Midlane (request 1)
Waters / Toogood / Cave / Midlane (request 2)
F White (Lake)
J L White
J L White / T B H Cochrane
S White / M Sheath
William Williams b 1817
Williams
Emily Wright

Latest entry :

BULL Family history After leaving things on the back burner for several years, I have had a rush of blood to my brain and am looking forward to restarting my researches in to the Bull Family History. As you will be well aware there are now many online sites to help with research, mostly pay-to-view, so before I start on any of them has any member any experience, i.e. a site to join and are they any sites to avoid? Thanks Mike Bull. Membership number 1344. Email: Click for email address (Submitted 18th August 2010)

STARK and COOK families I have 2 branches of my family connected with the IOW: My great grandmother Mary Sophia STARK was born in Freshwater on 5 Nov. 1851. I am looking for information on her grandfather Joshua STARK of Freshwater. I'd like to know the day and month of 1783 that he was born and the day and month of 1854 that he died. He married Anna HOLLIS. I would also like ANY information about his parents. My other branch is COOK. My 3X Gt grandfather William COOK was born in Godshill "Oct." 1791, but no other information. His father may have been Benjamin COOK b. 1759 in Chale who married Hannah EDMUNDS 13 June 1785 in Brading. Any more information would be appreciated especially who William married. Thank you, Maggie Macro. Member # 2943 Email: Click for email address (Submitted 18th August 2010)

LANG in Ryde Augustus LANG married Violet WILKINS in 1932 in the Ryde district. He died in 1968 aged 65,still in the same area. He was my great uncle; his father & mother were Robert & Mary LANG from Bicester Oxfordshire (my great grandparents). I would be interested if any of your members could be connected? Regards David Lang Email: Click for email address (Submitted 17th August 2010)

HODGES Coal yard in East Cowes I was wanting to know if anyone had any information on what we think was a coal yard on or very close to Castle Street in East Cowes, near the chain ferry. It was owned or run by George Henry HODGES in the 1920s and 30s, of Yarborough Road - we even know he gave gifts of coal to people. After his death, ownership passed to his son, Charles or 'Charlie' HODGES. All that we know is that it was there. We don't know what it was called, when it started up, or exactly what it did - it does not even seem to be mentioned in 1935 Kelly's Directory for the Isle of Wight. As George Hodges was my great-grandfather, we have heard stories of this coal yard - long-gone relatives have even pointed out roughly where it was, but there seems to be no trace of it historically!! I was wondering if anyone had an old knowledge of East Cowes to tell us what it was called and what it did! Kay Hodges Email: Click for email address (Submitted 13th August 2010)

THORPE family Dora Irene THORPE born 1895 Southampton, nee HILLMER, the daughter of William and Elizabeth HILLMER, married Percy George THORPE in 1921 at Steyning, Sussex. They had three sons Hillmer D THORPE (died in infancy), David Hillmer THORPE 1928 and Raymond G Hillmer THORPE 1931 all born Brighton. Percy and Dora moved to the island sometime after 1931, seemingly following her parents and remained for the rest of their lives. Percy died 1962 age 80, Dora died 1972. Could anyone kindly inform me where they lived, Percy's occupation, and where they are buried. [Editor's note : Percy and Dora Thorpe appear in the 1938 Electoral Register at Palmyra, The Fairway, Lake; and in the 1947 Electoral Register at 9 St Catherine's Place, Ventnor] An added and great bonus would be to learn if they have any descendants still on the island today. [Editor's note : Using our BMD Index, David Hillmer Thorpe married Doreen O Hayles at St Mary's Church Cowes in 1956.] Alan Booth Email: Click for email address (Submitted 4th August 2010)

HILLMER family I have recently joined the Society in the hope of finding further information about William and his remarkable wife Elizabeth Zilpha HILLMER. This couple moved to the island possibly around 1925 from their home at Falmer near Brighton. Elizabeth, who in her maiden name of MENTOR, from about 1890, was the proprietor of a chain of ten photographic studios from Barrow in Furness to the south coast, opened a branch at 14 High Street, Newport in 1890 which ran till 1897. (This was later taken over by Ernest E Smerdon). I should like to know where the Hillmers settled on the island. A clue might be that their deaths were recorded in Ventnor - Elizabeth age 80 in 1941 and William age 94 in 1943. [Editor's note : William and Elizabeth Hillmer appear in the 1938 Electoral Register at 4 Cliff Path, Sandown] It would be a real bonus also to learn where they are buried and if memorial inscriptions are recorded. I have full details of Elizabeth's earlier life and information on the above would complete the jigsaw. Alan Booth Email: Click for email address (Submitted 4th August 2010)

FRIPP family and agricultural conditions in C19th IW I have been researching my family history for many years. I come from ag labs born in Hilton, a rural Dorset parish. My great grandfather Robert was born in Hilton in 1841 and was there in 1851 and 1861, but married Eliza Lane at the Independent Chapel, Georgeford, Ryde in 1866. He had four children, the first two being born in the IOW in 1871 and 1872 (my grandfather Robert, born Blythes, Chale, 1872). Great grandfather's brother William Thomas was also born in Hilton but moved to the IOW to marry Susanna Hardy in Chale in 1869. By 1881 great grandfather had moved back to Poole, and William Thomas moved back back some time between 1875 and 1877. A visit to the Newport record office several years ago showed many Fripps on the island, some of whom were there before my lot moved over. My question is: Do you know any reason why agricultural labourers should move to the IOW in the 1860's? The move must have been quite traumatic for an uneducated poor family. Granted, this was the time of agricultural depression in Dorset and elsewhere, but was the IOW immune? Was there plenty of work? And what happened to make them come back to Dorset a few years later? Was this pattern of migration typical? All information will be received with great interest. Many thanks, Dr John Fripp Email: Click for email address (Submitted 15th July 2010)

British Pathé News Your expertise is needed regarding local history in Isle of Wight. British Pathé is the finest newsreel archive in the world and between 1897 and 1970, in addition to major world events, British Pathé recorded many hours of the way we live on the British Isles and this, naturally, includes footage of Isle of Wight. Your society’s members can assist with identifying some of the people, places and events that are not included on the canister notes to ensure that the newsreel history of Isle of Wight is correct for future generations. All you and your members need to do is visit the British Pathé website (www.britishpathe.com) and search for places, people and events in Isle of Wight and having watched the films check the notes. If you find an inaccuracy or omission please tell us the film id and the new information you have identified by emailing localhistory@britishpathe.com. To make things easier and, we hope, enjoyable for you, this can be done a few films at a time, simply e-mail us when the correction is identified. It does not matter if information is duplicated by different people as this helps corroborate the information. We look forward to hearing from you and your members and thank you in advance for helping to ensure the nation’s newsreel archive is accurately documented. Kind regards Alastair White General Manager

John GROVES & family I am trying to trace John Groves born 1807 in Freshwater, who married Ann Peach in 1830 in Freshwater. They had nine children between 1832 and 1849, all born in Carisbrooke. I have found them in the 1841 & 1851 census and their son William’s marriage to Selina Ann Chessell on the 9 Sep 1858 in Northwood. I can find no records of the family since William’s marriage. David Groves (IWFHS Member 2016) Email: Click for email address (Submitted 12th July 2010)

COOK (nee Sharpe) I am looking for information on Marjorie Helen Cook (nee Sharpe) who was born 6th February 1923 and died Isle of Wight 1999. From Lin Scott Member No 2009. Click for email address [Submitted 14th June 2010]

Diffey family My name is Diane Reid and my grandmother's family ‘DIFFEY’ came from Sandown, Isle of Wight. While looking though old letters there was one written from Sarah Diffey to her nephew Jack (my Dad) in New Zealand. It is written on 5/10/1940 from Nettlestone House, Nettlestone, near Seaview, Isle of Wight. This letter goes into great detail about the war and planes overhead while she is writing the letter. The last page of the letter is missing due to the censors. [click on each image for larger version] My great grandparents Henry and Sarah Diffey (nee THORNE) are buried at Sandown and lived at 5 Wilkes Road, Sandown. My grandmother was Hannah Thorne Diffey and she emigrated to New Zealand sometime before Dec 1914 as she married Joseph Bolderson in Wellington then. He came from Manchester. Hannah Thorne Diffey (born March 7 1883) (My grandmother) was 1 of 9 children born to Henry and Sarah Diffey Her siblings were John Edward born Sept 27 1866 Walter born June 11 1868 Sarah Jane (writer of the letter) born Dec 31 1869 Louisa Mary born March 18 1872 Charles William born Sept 18 1873 Alice born April 17 1875 William Rufus born April 29 1878 Evelyn Arthur born April 11 1880 I have family information about Hannahs life in New Zealand if anyone would like it . I would be really interested to have contact with any Diffeys on the Isle of Wight. Diane Reid, New Zealand Click for email address [Submitted 6th May 2010]

Emma Parry nee Harding Please can you help in some way. My grandma was Emma HARDING; she was born in Liverpool on March 15 1892 and was a twin with Richard Edward HARDING. Grandma married Robert H PARRY in 1916 in Liverpool but sadly gran died in 1928 in Liverpool and so therefore I have never met her or even seen a picture of her, or grandad for that matter. Her brother Richard Edward Harding was a retired Royal Marine bandsman and served in the Marines from 1907 until 1945 in Portsmouth where he married Frances Ivy CARDY in 1926. At some point they both moved to the Isle of Wight where they both died, Frances in 1976 and Richard in 1981. I don't know if they had any children or not, but I am wondering if anyone on the Isle of Wight can help me in my quest to find my lost relatives. I am attaching a photo of Richard and I think Frances which you may want to publish. [click on image for larger version] Ann Lawrence Click for email address [Submitted 27th April 2010]

EMILY WRIGHT I am looking for information on EMILY WRIGHT. She was born in Arreton on 06.01.1859. Her parents were JAMES WRIGHT and JANE FLUX. We know that after James died, Jane lived with another man, STEPHEN WRIGHT. We have found Emily living with her sister MARY ANN RODWELL and brother in law on the 1871 census although she was called EMMA RIGHT. We know she gave birth to my grandfather WILLIAM HENRY WRIGHT in the Carisbrooke Workhouse on 02.02.1877 and he was brought up by Emily's parents. fter that we can find no more information on her. We would really love to know what happened to her after that. I would also like to know more about the workhouse where my grandfather was born. Claire Hill, Member no 2915 Click for email address [Submitted 27th April 2010]

SMITH family - Ryde and Arreton I have found the death of Betty Smith 1875 at Ryde and would help in finding her grave site or any family members connected to Betty. Also I have a James Smith who is buried with parents Nicholas and Martha Smith is there any way of finding out what year James was buried? Martha Smith was buried 22/5/1817 St Georges Churchyard Arreton plot ref C 51 and the entry also mentions her son James. Thank you for any help you can give me. Kath Ross (nee Smith)(Australia), Member no 2755 Click for email address [Submitted 22nd March 2010]

BASSHAM Could you please ask if any members of the society have any records of the old Newport Grammar School around 1910 to 1918, my Father Cyril BASSHAM was a pupil there around those dates and any information would be gratefully received? Secondly, are there any records of the old Newport Railway Station refreshment rooms around the 1905-1920 era? My Grandparents were the proprietors of this establishment at that time and any information would be most welcome. I look forward to receiving any news of the above. Many thanks Ken Bassham, New Zealand Click for email address. [Submitted 9th March 2010]

MILLER Looking for information on Charles MILLER b: 1874 Newport - his father George MILLER b: 1852 Alverstone who married Harriet Millmore b: 1852 Calbourne. George's father is possibly Robert MILLER b: 1824 New Church who married Mary Griffin b: 1829 at St.Mary's Church. Any information or pictures would be greatly appreciated to help bring my gr.grandfather Charles and his relatives 'alive' for future generations. Many thanks Elizabeth Scott, Vancouver Click for email address. [Submitted 2nd March 2010]

MILLER / HILLIER I wonder if anyone has photos of Harriet MILLER (nee MILLMORE) born Freshwater 1852 ref.Ca5/P69. Harriet married George Miller and died at Newport in 1933 ref.N56/404. I am also looking for any photos of William Hillier b 1849, James Hillier b 1851 and their sister Mary Ann b 1852. Their parents were Henry Hillier & Mary Ann READ. All the Hilliers were born in Freshwater but Mary A Read was from Southsea. Many thanks Bob Hillier Click for email address. [Submitted 12th February 2010]

THOMPSON I wonder if anyone could help me with trying to find out more about the IW Union Workhouse. It seems possible that my Great Great Grandfather David Thompson died there in 1908 aged 80 years. Many thanks Heather Burton Click for email address. [Submitted 2nd February 2010]

RAYNER I am trying to find out whether there is a connection between two families from the 19th century on the island. I am researching the RAYNER family and whilst in communication with Derek Sprake local author/historian and also from reading his book "Put out the flag" he says that a Maurice Daniel RAYNER of Chale a carrier in the 1860's passed his business over to a Thomas ROBERTS. Derek suggests they were cousins and Thomas was a member of the well known ROBERTS family and later ran the Clarendon Hotel at Chale. I have been trying to find evidence to support the "cousin" suggestion. Maurice was born about 1814 and was a son of James and Jane [nee DASH] RAYNER who lived at Chale. James was a son of James and Ann [nee GROVES] so if they were cousins it would I assume it be from one of the latter couple's other offspring's children!! Richard Sutton Click for email address. [Submitted 25th January 2010]

BILES / BYLES I am trying to find out anything about Maurice Henry BILES ( or Morris Henry BYLES) born in 1878 in Gunville, Newport, Isle of Wight who I believe married an Alice Emily LEE in 1918. Also Maurice's sister Ada born 1883. I believe that their mother was Amelia Biles. Lin Scott Click for email address. [Submitted 20th January 2010]

Thomas Gibbens Thomas GIBBENS (born 1829 Blandford St Marys) married Leah GIDGE 8 Oct 1853 Southampton. In 1881 they were at 13 Mary Street, Northwood, Cowes. Leah died in 1887; Thomas was the informant named on her Death Certificate. I am unable to find any further trace of Thomas GIBBENS and would like to find more information. Laraine Jaspers, New Zealand Click for email address. [Submitted 10th January 2010]

Spirits of Gallipoli We have been contacted by a member of the Spirits of Gallipoli website team in Australia. They are trying to find photographs of Australian servicemen who died during the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. Several Island men joined the Australian forces and died in Gallipoli, so if any relatives have photographs of these men, we would be pleased to pass them on to the Spirits of Gallipoli project for inclusion on their website. Those we know of include : Alfred Chiverton Newport Thomas Coleman Brighstone George Austin King Sandown Alfred Stanley Rayner Ryde Reginald Jacob Saunders Godshill Frederick Thompson Brighstone Many members of the Isle of Wight Rifles also served and died in Gallipoli. Please send any information to Geoff Allan, and he will pass it on to the Spirits of Gallipoli team. Geoff Allan, Webmaster Click for email address. [Submitted 25th November 2009]

Waters / Toogood / Cave / Midlane Reference my enquiry 21st March 2009; (See below; Waters/Toogood/Cave/Midlane Please read). I now understand that Frances Naomi WATERS was born in the Parish of Carisbrooke c1831. Father, James Waters. Can anyone help with any more information from Carisbrooke area please. Still haven't found the connection between the above families: Our Frances Naomi married a Thomas POTTER at Maidstone in 1847 and died Ringmer, Sussex 1897. BUT have found a Frances Naomi TOOGOOD who also married a Thomas POTTER at East Grinstead in 1856 but do not know if this Frances Naomi was an IoW Toogood? Possibly a later connection between these families? We had two responses to previous enquiry one of which was interested in the Midlane connection. Our Frances Naomi's daughter Ellen Elizabeth POTTER having married Charles MIDLANE in 1882 at Lewes. Thank You for any help. Tim Sargeant, Goudhurst, Kent Click for email address. [Submitted 25th November 2009, verified 18th August 2010]

E F W Cooper Does anyone have access to the records of the Ventnor Sanatorium for Diseases of the Chest. I believe my grandfather Ernest Frederick William COOPER spent some time there. He was in the Rifle Brigade and enlisted at Parkhurst in 1906. He is proving to be very difficult to trace before 1920. Laraine Jaspers, New Zealand Click for email address. [Submitted 27th October 2009]

Edward Garnham b. 1806 Shalfleet I've had a very long e-mail from a lady in New Zealand with details of the descendants of Edward GARNHAM who married in Essex and had children there and on his return to the Isle of Wight. The correspondent would like to have contact with anyone interested in this family; her husband's grandmother was Cathline Helen GARNHAM b 1878 in Warwickshire. If anyone can help, please contact me and I'll put you in touch. Geoff Allan, Webmaster Click for email address. [Submitted 30th September 2009]

William Williams Born 1817 The above information comes from a death certificate for William who died in New Zealand 6 August 1906 it states that his place of birth was Isle of Wight. His parents were William Alfred WILLIAMS (occupation Miller) and his mother Harriet WATERMAN. William was one of the first settlers of New Zealand sailing out from London on the "Whitby" in 1841. He could read and write and was a mate on the vessel. He became the harbourmaster at Collingwood in NZ. I am trying to help trace this person and his family on the island on behalf of a descendant there, can anyone help? Ian Bullock, Member no 2258 Click for email address [Submitted 29th August 2009]

Barnes / Dunford My father Ronald William Eric BARNES was born in Newport in July 1937 to parents William James BARNES b 1907 and Norah DUNFORD b 1898. He lived on the Island until he left to join the army. As far as I was aware he was an only child but since starting to research my family history I have discovered that in fact Norah Dunford gave birth to 4 daughters between the years 1917 to 1923 in the Forest House Carisbrooke! Sadly my father passed away in 1989 long before my interest in genealogy started and I have been unable to discover much more about this. I was wondering if any members have any knowledge or memories of my father or his parents that they would be willing to share with me - sadly I don't even know what school he went to! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sarah Roberts, Member no 2373 Click for email address [Submitted 6th August 2009]

Robert William Saunders My great, great grandfather was Robert William SAUNDERS born in Ryde 1807. He was a Master Mariner and I would like to find out more about his and his family's lives. He married Christian FIELDER baptized 26 December 1812 in Boxley, Kent although her family seem to have come from and returned to Southampton. Her parents and siblings all seem to have been born in Southampton. I can find record of at least four children from their marriage including my great grandfather, William. They and many more of the family are buried in Ryde Cemetery. See Ryde Cemetery record for R W Saunders. I would like to know about his sailing life. If anyone can help me I would be very grateful. Margaret Parsley, Member no 2802 Click for email address [Submitted 6th August 2009]

WHITE and SHEATH families My great grandparents originated from IOW. Great grandfather was Stephen WHITE, born 1827, and Great grandmother was Maria SHEATH, born 1828. They were married in Hackney, London in 1855, presumably both having moved there to go into service. They then moved to Brighton, where they had 3 children, Annie, Elizabeth and George, my grandfather. I didn’t know any of them. I only have one picture of George and Carrie White, my grandparents, and none at all of anyone before them. I am appealing for photos of the Whites and Sheaths. I know my oldest Aunt had albums of photos which were destroyed when she died, so presumably there were other copies of the photos. Maria Sheath came from Whitwell, parents were Robert Sheath and Elizabeth STEPHENS. Stephen White came from Niton, parents were George White and Ann WOODNUTT. Can anyone help? Marion Hollingsbee, Member no 1944 Click for email address [Submitted 11th June 2009, verified 18th August 2010]

SMITH family - Newchurch I am a new member and have a brickwall in my research:- James Smith b. abt 1786, his wife Betty b. abt 1790/91 and son George c 1823 all at Newchurch - I'm trying to find siblings of George and parent's marriage; Betty was on census 1861 as mother of George; George Smith married in 1849 to Frances Young. Names I am researching FORD, HARBOR, PRICE, SMITH, WHITTINGTON, WOODFORD. Any help would be appreciated. Kath Ross (nee Smith)(Australia), Member no 2755 Click for email address [Submitted 27th April 2009]

J L WHITE. John Lee WHITE: For some years I have been researching a 1905 Vauxhall 7/9hp motor car which was originally owned by John Lee White of 'Seafield', Ryde Isle of Wight. J L White, (born Mar qr 1862) was the eldest son from the first marriage of J Samuel WHITE the famous Cowes Shipbuilder. What I have been trying to find out is when and where John Lee died and if he left a Will. It is of note that he does not appear in J Samuel's Will although his wife Mabel does. Mabel White came from a farming family also named 'White' at East Farleigh / Wateringbury near Maidstone Kent. J L does not appear at the Seafield address after 1912 (Although he had a yacht built about this time) but his wife is there until some years later.Can anyone help please? Tim Sargeant, Member no 2488 Click for email address [Submitted 21st March 2009, verified 18th August 2010]

Old Motor Vehicle Licensing Records / Register IoW 1903-1925. The Isle of Wight Motorists' Association. T B H Cochrane / J Lee White. With reference the above query re John Lee White and his 1905 Vauxhall 7/9hp; It would appear that when the Motor Vehicle Licensing Office (MTO) at Newport closed the old Register of Motor Vehicles containing the records of vehicles registered on the Island with 'DL' registrations from December 1903 until 1925 was given to a private collector. In spite of letters in the IoW County Press and visits to the Island I have so far been unable to locate this old register. Would any members have any knowledge of this ? I am trying to ascertain what the original registration number for this motor car was; It would appear to have been registered around April 1905. I do have records of some surviving veteran cars registered around this time and know that the IoW buses were registered 'in time for Easter' 1905 and these were DL75 to DL81 from photos at IoW RO. J L White was a founder member of the Isle of Wight Motorists' Association in November 1903 with headquarters at Warburton's Hotel and their inaugural motor meeting was at Carisbrooke Castle on 27th July 1905 with a 'Motor Gymkhana'. The President was Thomas B H Cochrane Deputy Governor of the Island who had a Dennis registered DL68 of which I do have a photo. I understand that there was somewhere on the Island a photograph of this event but the person who told me about it could not remember where he had seen it. The IoW County Press gave a whole column report in their edition dated 29th July 1905 but no picture. Any ideas anyone ? Tim Sargeant, Member no 2488 Click for email address [Submitted 21st March 2009, verified 18th August 2010]

WATERS / Toogood / Cave / Midlane. Frances Naomi WATERS; Born Isle of Wight circa 1831. (Calculated from ages given in various censuses) Parish not known. From her gravestone in Ringmer churchyard her age at death in 1897 is given as 64 years. This would make her birth circa 1833. On her marriage certificate of 1847 at Maidstone her father's name is given as James Waters and his occupation is given as a 'sawyer'. Her age is given as 'of full age'. She married Thomas Potter. Both the Waters and Potter families seem to have had close connections with Brighton, Lewes, Ringmer and Chailey in East Sussex and Maidstone in Kent. We would like to know what the Isle of Wight connection was with the Waters family if possible and where they lived there. They appear to have had some connection with the Cave family of Newport as in the 1881 census Frances Naomi POTTER's daughter Ellen Elizabeth Potter is living with Edward CAVE nurseryman and family at 1 High Street Newport Isle of Wight and is recorded as 'Elizabeth', (presumably to avoid confusion with the other Ellens in the household,) and as 'niece'. As with all these things it is not made clear whether she is niece of Edward or his wife Ellen. Ellen Cave's maiden name was TOOGOOD, but I have so far not been able to find a connection there either. In 1882 Ellen Elizabeth POTTER married Charles MIDLANE at Lewes. Charles Midlane (24) and his father also Charles (68) are in the 1881 census living with Robert A SAUNDERS at 22 Trafalgar Road Carisbrooke and are both shown as 'Master Coach Builders'. Perhaps someone has researched some of these families and would like to tie up their researches with our Waters / Potter families. Any help appreciated. Tim Sargeant, Member no 2488 Click for email address [Submitted 21st March 2009, verified 18th August 2010]

Frederick White I am looking for assistance in tracing the descendants of Superintendent Frederick White of the Metropolitan Police. Frederick was born in 1879, a son of Isaac and Maria White of Stag Road, Lake. He had brothers Charlie, Frank, George, and Arthur, and sisters Kate, Ellen, Jane and Mary. He joined the Met. in 1901, was made Sergeant in 1906 and retired in 1937 as Divisional Superintendent. He went to live in Woolston, Southampton and named his house in Porchester Road, "Vectis". As far as I know, he had two sons, Frederick and Robert, but there my information dries up. Unfortunately, I am also lacking information on his youngest brother Arthur, who also moved to the mainland. I enclose a family photo in the hope that it might mean something to somebody. Gwynn White. Member no 2444. Click for email address [Submitted 9th February 2009, verified 18th August 2010]

MOVING TO THE MAINLAND 1870s and 1880s – WILLIAMS (CARPENTER) FAMILY I am intrigued how people found employment on the mainland that caused them to move from their homes in the IOW. GEORGE ALFRED WILLIAMS b 1858 IOW and his sister FLORENCE JANE WILLIAMS b 1860 both appear in the 1881 census, employed and boarding with families they subsequently married into (George Alfred with the Thrussells in Battersea and Florence Jane with the Carpenters in Willesden.) Their brothers and sister subsequently followed them. Clearly employment prospects were better on the mainland. The families they worked for / boarded with / married into do not seem to have come from IOW so I am wondering how the work would have been found. Any ideas? (I’m descended from George Alfred Williams.) Angela Tjay Mazuri, Member No 2642. Click for email address [Submitted 28th January 2009, verified 22nd August 2010]

HARBOUR / HARBER Please can anyone help me with the 'Harbour' family from around the Arreton area ? I am looking for information about the parents of my great-great grandfather Charles HARBOUR, born 21.1.1811 and baptised at Arreton on 17.11.1811. The parish register shows his parents to be James Harbour and Jane ?. I have been unable to find any other details, partly due to the missing Arreton records. In 1832 Charles married Ann SAUNDERS (1814-1843): they had 4 children, George, Ann, Ellen and Daniel. Charles's 2nd marriage on 16.9.1845 was to Ann BUBB (1826-1869): their children were Maurice/Morris, Julia, Fanny, Martha, Alice, Jeanette/Janet, Kate, James Henry William, Rose, Ernest Alfred and Mary Eleanor. One or two of the older children used the HARBER spelling. With there being so many children I am hoping that someone may have a Harbour somewhere in their family tree. I would be very grateful for any assistance. Jane Padfield, Membership No. 2550 Click for email address [Submitted 8th November 2008, verified 18th August 2010]

REDFERN of Cowes I am researching the Redfern family of Cowes, who were fashion designers in Cowes and Paris in the 19th Century up to the 1930's. John Redfern was prominent in Cowes as a Draper and supplied costumes to many of the notables of the Cowes yachting fraternity, and also it is reputed, to Queen Victoria. He had premises in the High Street. He died in 1895. The business was taken over by Charles POYNTER, who later styled himself Charles Poynter Redfern. John and Harriett (nee Beazley) Redfern had four children, Stanley William, born in 1849, Frank, born in 1850, Annie, born in 1855 (married George Scott in 1875), and Ernest Arthur, born in 1856. John Redfern, his wife Harriett, and son Stanley are buried in the family vault at Northwood Cemetery. The County Press obituary for John Redfern names the two sons as Stanley RUSSELL and Ernest RUSSELL - possibly an error on their part, or did the sons change their surname for some reason? I am particularly interested in the French branch of the business, Maison Redfern. Joanna Bracey Click for email address [Submitted 18th August 2008, verified 21st August 2010]

RIDER / HARDING Does anybody have links with George RIDER (b1839) or Frances A HARDING (b1840). They married in 1860 St James, East Cowes. They had 9 children, Alice, Frances, Edward, Frederick, Edgar, Mabel, Bessie, Dorothy and Linda. Frederick Rider married Grace Ellen Victoria BEART in Wesleyan Chapel, Bangalore in 1901. They had 3 children, Frederick (1902), Percival (1904) and Dorothy (1906). Dorothy Phyllis Edna Rider married William Henry Charles WAYMAN in Wesleyan Chapel, Bangalore in 1926. They had 5 children - Dorothy (b1926), Edward Frederick (b1929), William Henry (b1931), Maureen Phyllis (b1933) and Leonard James Arthur (b1940). If any of the above has links with you please contact: Sheila Danks Click for email address (Submitted 2nd July 2008, Verified 18th August 2010)

BARDEN / WEST I am looking for any information on the BARDEN family in Newport, 1870s- 1920s. The family were located in around the Gunville and Carisbrooke areas and latterly at Coppins Bridge, Hunnyhill and Whitcombe. My Great Great Grandmother, (Elizabeth) Grace WEST nee BARDEN was a well known character around Newport and was often seen selling flowers etc. door to door to get money for a drink! If anyone knew of her I'd love to hear from you. Jo Davis, Click for email address (Submitted 10th June 2008, verified 18th August 2010)

COLE I am searching for members of the 20th century COLE family from Freshwater. FREDERICK COLE married ADA ASH and had eleven children. ARTHUR FREDERICK my grandfather, FRANK, EMMA, CHARLES, ALICE (I now have this connection) FLORENCE, HARRY, BERTIE, EDWARD, NELLIE MAUD, MABEL ADA. MABEL STARKS was the daughter of either MABEL or FLORENCE, known as FLORRIE. Some one might know this connection? EDWARD had a son BASIL and three daughters I think. BASIL had two children. NIGEL his son might still be on the Island. BERTIE had a son, LESLIE(?) Who became a Roman Catholic Priest. Any information will be welcomed. Gwynne Wallis, Member no. 2367. Click for email address (Submitted 12th May 2008, verified 18th August 2010)

SALTER I am looking for information on William SALTER born 1808 +- a year. The first record I have is his marriage to Marie Ann SIMON, Sept. 8, 1833 at St. Helier, Jersey C.I. The marriage showed William as from Gatcombe. Marie died Feb 7, 1845 in St. Helier. My second record for William SALTER is his marriage to Rachel SORSOLEIL which stated that he was a widower from the I.O.W. Son of Isaac. Marriage was July 12, 1845 in Jersey C.I. William and Rachel had six children in Jersey then emigrated to the Gaspe area of Canada. Thank you for any help Don Salter Mem No.2568 Burnaby, B.C. Canada On the west coast of Canada Click for email address (Submitted 28th April 2008, verified 2nd September 2010)

Sabina Albertha ELDRIDGE I am trying to trace the burial place of my Grandmother Sabina Albertha Eldridge nee Scott born 30/11/1896. She died in a railway accident on the 4/12/39 at Waterloo Railway Station. At the time she was relocating back to the Island following the outbreak of war. The records of the inquest cannot be traced and I have drawn a blank with cemeteries around Hounslow where her husband was stationed at the Barracks. I believe she was Roman Catholic and may have been brought back to the Island for Burial. A check of Quigley's and the National Burial index has also proved also negative. Any information or advice will be gratefully received. John Eldridge IWFHS Member 1313 Click for email address (Submitted 18th November 2007, verified 20th August 2010)