My gx2 grandfather : William Frederick Todman b1855

WILLIAM FREDERICK TODMAN was born on 17th March 1855 in Croydon, Surrey.

He married ELLEN SPENCER. She was born in 1848.

They had a child, Frederick William Todman in 1879. She died in June 1883. Ellen was buried in Queens Cemetery Grave 14012 Plot E7 ??, also William G was buried a month earlier 3rd May 1883 Possible son??

William remarried SUSAN LILLEY. B10/6/1864 D 10/08/1934 Born Prittlewell.  Susan Lilley was reportedly a governess before marrying William F Todman but when she worked at Ramsden Hall Ramsden Cray Essex 1881 census she was a kitchen maid Aged 17.
She brought up Frederick and her 8 Girls.

On the 1901 census, William, a 46-year-old house decorator, is living with his family at 21 Gladstone Road, Croydon, Surrey.

William died on 26th June 1927.

The children of WILLIAM TODMAN & ELLEN SPENCER :

FREDERICK WILLIAM TODMAN was born on 28th January 1879

The children of WILLIAM TODMAN & SUSAN LILLEY:

Lilley Elizabeth B 17/11/1877

Alice M 6/02/1890?

HILDA MAY TODMAN (click through to see her page) was born on 18th March 1892.

Grace M B 15/01/ 1894

Susan Beatrice B 14/10/1895

Elsie Florence B 15/06/1899 - listed as Ellen on the 1901 census

Doris Marjorie B 1/01/1902

Ethel B 31/01/1906 - she died aged about 6 of diphtheria.

Census returns for William Frederick Todman :

Census returns for WILLIAM TODMAN and ELLEN:

1881 census -

Address : 10 Gloucester Road

William TODMAN head, M, 26, Housedecorator, born Surrey Croydon
Ellen TODMAN, wife, M, 33, Cavendish Suffolk
Frederick Wm. TODMAN, son, 2, Croydon


1901 census :
address - 21 Gladstone Road Croydon

William Todman, 46, head, house decorator, born Croydon, Surrey
Louisa Todman, 37, wife, born Essex
Frederick W Todman, 22, son, single, Machinist Steam Saw Mills,  born Croydon, Surrey
Lily E Todman, 13, daughter, born Croydon, Surrey
Alice M Todman, 10, daughter,  born Croydon, Surrey

Hilda M Todman, 9, daughter, born Croydon, Surrey
Grace M Todman, 7, daughter, born Croydon, Surrey
Susie B Todman, 5, daughter, born Croydon, Surrey

Ellen F Todman, 1, daughter,  born Croydon, Surrey

My gx2 grandfather : Frederick William Booth b1853

FREDERICK WILLIAM BOOTH was born circa 1853 in Wimbledon Surrey.

He married Jane ? in 1874. She was born circa 1852 in Essex.

On the 1901 census,  he was a 48-year-old domestic coachman with his wife and children at 6 Tavistock Grove, Croydon.

On the 1911 census,  he was a 58-year-old Italian warehouseman with his wife and children at 18a Lower Addiscombe  Road, Croydon.

The children of Frederick William Booth  :

Albert William Booth was born circa 1882 in  Storwood Surrey. He had a grocer's shop in Croydon.  He died in 1933.

Louise Margery Booth was born circa 1890 in  Croydon Surrey.

Alfred Harold Booth was born circa 1891 in  Croydon Surrey. Click through to see his page.

Census returns for Frederick William Booth :

1901 census :
address - 6 Tavistock Grove, Croydon

Frederick W Booth, 48, head, married, coachman domestic, born Wimbledon Surrey
Jane Booth, wife, 49, born Essex Sosh Hill
Albert W Booth, 19, son, single, warehouseman, born Storwood Surrey

Louise M Booth, daughter, 11, born Croydon Surrey

Alfred Harold Booth, 9, son, born Croydon Surrey


1911 census :
address - 18a Lower Addiscombe Road Croydon

Frederick William Booth, 58, head, married, Italian warehouseman, born Wimbledon Surrey
Jane Booth, wife, 59, born Essex Stanford Rivers, year of marriage 1874 (married 37 years), children born 6, still living 6
Louise Margery Booth, daughter, single, 21, born Croydon Surrey
Alfred Harold Booth, 19, son, single, printer's clerk, born Croydon Surrey

My grandmother's parents : Hilda May Todman (& Alfred Harold Booth)

HILDA MAY TODMAN was born on 18th March 1892 in Croydon, Surrey. Her birth was registered in June quarter 1892 (source : Free BMD - district Croydon, volume 2a, page 229).

 On the 1901 census, aged 9, she is living with her parents at 21 Gladstone Road, Croydon, Surrey.

On the 1911 census, Hilda was an unmarried 19-year-old general domestic servant at 19 Morland Road, Croydon

She married ALFRED HAROLD BOOTH in 1915 in Croydon, Surrey. (source : Free BMD). Family members always called him Harold.

He was born in September quarter 1891 in Croydon (source : Free BMD, district Croydon volume 2a page 270 ). He was born 8 Aug 1891 at 6 Tavistock Grove, Croydon. His parents were Frederick William Booth and Jane Wood.

Alfred was born in Croydon Surrey, and upon enlistment was living there although he enlisted at Kingston upon Thames on 16 October 1916. His given address was 18a Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon. His Birthplace is given as Croydon, age was 25years and 2 months, Height 5ft 8ins, Weight 126lbs Occupation Grocer. Regiment: Huntingdon Cyclists 2/1st Battalion. (Even his chest measurement is given !)

He initially served as a Hunts. Cyclist before being transferred into the 1st Bedford Regiment where he was allocated the Army number 291381. The record of his HCB number is also the same as his Bedford one. All records show him as a private.

Alfred was killed on active service in France just three years later on 12th May 1918, leaving Hilda a widow with child. Croydon and the Great War, the Official History of the War Work of the Borough and Its Citizens from 1914 to 1919, published in 1920, has the following entry :
Booth, Alfred Harold, Pte., Beds. Regt. b., 82 ; y.s., Mr. Mrs. F. W. Booth, 18a Lr. Addis. Rd., Croydon. Married. D., of wounds reed. 12 May, 18.

He is buried in grave II-J-24 at Aire Community Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. (Thanks to Hunts Cycles website)

He is listed on the Roll of Honour (http://www.roll-of-honour.com/cgi-bin/1stbeds.cgi) :
Surname: BOOTH
Forenames: Alfred Harold
Born: Croydon, Surrey
Enlisted: Kingston-on-Thames
Resident: Croydon
Serial No: 291381
Rank: Private
Manner of death: Died of wounds
Comm. or Buried: Aire Communal Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France
Comm or Burial Ref: Grave II J 24
Theatre: France & Flanders
Date of death: 12 May 1918
Battalion: 1st

Their daughter, Barbara Joyce Booth, was born in July 1919 and on her birth certificate, her mother was named as Hilda May Todman formerly Booth. She was a nurse, according to family knowledge, and Barbara's father was supposedly a doctor (source ; family knowledge). As Alfred was never a doctor, there has always beensome speculation as to whether her father was, in fact, Alfred or a doctor at the hospital where she worked. If Alfred died in May and Barbara was born in July, that would have been an incredibly long pregnancy !

The child of Hilda May Todman :

BARBARA JOYCE BOOTH was born on 15th July 1919 in Croydon (at 42 Kemerton Road – as per birth certificate). Her father was killed on service in the First World War while her mother was still pregnant. She was given up for adoption by her mother, HILDA MAY TODMAN, formerly BOOTH, a maternity nurse, living at 21 Gladstone Road, Croydon (source : birth certificate and family knowledge) and was brought up by the CLARKE family at Isfield. Barbara was evacuated /sent to Hastings and was asked by a judge if she wanted to stay in Hastings? or return to Croydon , she opted to stay put. (source : family knowledge)

Census returns for Hilda May Todman :

1901 census :
address - 21 Gladstone Road Croydon

William Todman, 46, head, house decorator, born Croydon, Surrey
Louisa Todman, 37, wife, born Essex
Frederick W Todman, 22, son, single, Machinist Steam Saw Mills,  born Croydon, Surrey
Lily E Todman, 13, daughter, born Croydon, Surrey
Alice M Todman, 10, daughter,  born Croydon, Surrey

Hilda M Todman, 9, daughter, born Croydon, Surrey
Grace M Todman, 7, daughter, born Croydon, Surrey
Susie B Todman, 5, daughter, born Croydon, Surrey

Ellen F Todman, 1, daughter,  born Croydon, Surrey

1911 census :
address - 19 Morland Road Croydon

Augustus Ashcroft, 67, head, born London Commercial Rd E, married (27 years), coal merchant
Elizabeth Ada Ashcroft, 55, wife, born Bucks Aylesbury
Hilda May Todman, 19, servant, general domestic servant, single, born Croydon, Surrey

Census returns for Alfred Harold Booth :

1901 census :
address - 6 Tavistock Grove, Croydon

Frederick W Booth, 48, head, married, coachman domestic, born Wimbledon Surrey
Jane Booth, wife, 49, born Essex Sosh Hill
Albert W Booth, 19, son, single, warehouseman, born Storwood Surrey

Louise M Booth, daughter, 11, born Croydon Surrey

Alfred Harold Booth, 9, son, born Croydon Surrey


1911 census :
address - 18a Lower Addiscombe Road Croydon

Frederick William Booth, 58, head, married, Italian warehouseman, born Wimbledon Surrey
Jane Booth, wife, 59, born Essex Stanford Rivers, year of marriage 1874 (married 37 years), children born 6, still living 6
Louise Margery Booth, daughter, single, 21, born Croydon Surrey
Alfred Harold Booth, 19, son, single, printer's clerk, born Croydon Surrey

My gx5 grandfather : William Bourne 1761

WILLIAM BOURNE was born circa 1761. He was baptised on 24th July 1761 in Brightling, Sussex. (Many thanks to David Packham for this information.) It was a private baptism and he had been received into the church on 17th August 1761 (source : David Packham).

He married GRACE FEERS on 4th February 1788 in Arlington, Sussex (source : David Packham). The marriage entry says WILLIAM BOURNE of Hellingly and GRACE FEARS (sic) of this parish (source : David Packham). They were married by banns and both signed so both were literate. John Fears was a witness (source : David Packham).

GRACE FEERS was born circa 1765 and was the daughter of John Feers and Mary Page (source : David Packham). She was baptised on 17th August 1766 in Arlington, Sussex (source : David Packham). In 1841, Grace was living at Dicker (source : David Packham). She died in 1846 and was buried on 2nd February 1846 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham).

WILLIAM BOURNE died in 1817 and was buried on 6th July 1817 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham). In the burials register, his age is given as 55 (source : David Packham).

The Children of WILLIAM BOURNE and GRACE FEERS:

1. WILLIAM BOURNE was born circa 1787 (source : David Packham).


2.HENRY BOURNE was born circa 1793 in Hellingly, Sussex. He was baptised on 28th December 1793 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham). (click through to see his page)


3.JAMES BOURNE was born in 1796 (as per David Packham). He was christened on 3rd July 1796 in Hellingly, Sussex (Many thanks to Mandy Willard for this information.)


4. ELIZABETH MARY BOURNE was born circa 1800 (source : David Packham).


5. THOMAS BOURNE was born circa 1803. He was baptised on 24th January 1803 in Hellingly, Sussex (source :David Packham).


6.GEORGE BOURNE was born circa 1806. He was baptised on 3rd November 1806 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham). On the 1851, 1861 and 1871 censuses, he was an unmarried farm servant (indoor), living at the Noakes’ residence at Cockslow (source : David Packham).

My gx4 grandfather : Henry Bourne (b1793)

HENRY BOURNE was born circa 1793 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : 1851 census). He was baptised, to parents WILLIAM and GRACE BOURNE, on 28th December 1793 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : Hellingly Baptisms, transcript 1753-1812).

He was a master cordwainer / shoemaker (source : David Packham and Julie Fletcher).

He married MARY WOOD(S) BONIFACE on 6th November 1818 in Pevensey, Sussex (source :IGI, Batch No.:M042501 Dates: 1570 - 1836 Source Call No.:0504417 Type:Film Printout Call No.:NONE Type: Sheet: 00 )(or 6th November 1816 - source : Mandy Willard).

Henry was left Nineteen pounds and nineteen shillings in his uncle Henry's 1825 will (source : Henry Bourne's 1825 will).

On the 1851 census, Henry is living at The Dicker in the parish of Arlington, with his wife and daughter Betsy Ann, and is a cordwainer employing two.


Henry died in 1855 and was buried on 17th September 1855 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham). His death was recorded in September quarter 1855 (Free BMD - district Hailsham (covers Hellingly), volume 2b, page 34).

The children of Henry Bourne & Mary Woods Boniface :

HENRY BOURNE was born in 1819 - click through to see his page.

JAMES BOURNE was born on May 27th 1821 in Arlington, Sussex (source : Julie Fletcher). He was baptised on 24th June 1821 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham). He was a Carpenter & Joiner (source : David Packham). He married JANE ? (born circa 1814 in Hailsham, Sussex) (source : 1851 census). There is a marriage listed for JAMES BOURNE in June quarter 1845, but it could be to either JANE POCOCK or JANE WOOD (source : Free BMD, district Hailsham, volume 7, page 475). On the 1851 census, the whole family is living at "Hailsham - The Town", Sussex and James is a carpenter journeyman. James died on April 20th 1852 (source : Julie Fletcher).

WILLIAM BOURNE was born on June 20th 1824 in Arlington, Sussex (source : Julie Fletcher). He was baptised on 8th August 1824 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham). There is only one WILLIAM BOURNE born circa 1824 in the 1881 census (head, M, 55, born Hellingly Sussex, fly proprietor beer retailer), so assuming this is him, he was living and working at the Foresters' Arms, 90 Carlton Hill, Brighton,Sussex, with his wife MARY E BOURNE (48, Edburton Sussex), three sons, WILLIAM R BOURNE (son, U, 20, Brighton Sussex, printer in type for the blind), WALTER BOURNE (son, U, 18, Brighton Sussex, coachsmith) and JOHN H BOURNE (son, 8, Brighton Sussex, scholar), a daughter ADA E BOURNE (dau, 15, Brighton Sussex, scholar - the IGI lists an ADA ELLEN BOURNE, christened on 13th May 1866 at St Nicholas', Brighton, to parents WILLIAM BOURNE and ELLEN - this would suggest that either William married twice, or the MARY E listed on the 1881 census was Mary Ellen : source IGI, Batch No.: C135395, Type : Film), a nephew GEORGE J BOURNE (U, 27, Alfriston Sussex, cellarman wine - this would be his brother HENRY's son) and a number of lodgers.

MARY ANNE BOURNE was born on March 4th 1826 in Arlington, Sussex (source : Julie Fletcher). She was baptised on 11th June 1826 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham). She died on March 28th 1851 (source : Julie Fletcher) and was buried on 2nd April 1851 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham). In the burial register, her age is given as 24 and her abode as Arlington (source : David Packham). Her death was recorded in March quarter 1851 (Free BMD - district Hailsham (covers Hellingly), volume 7, page 285).

GEORGE BOURNE was born on October 31st 1829 in Arlington, Sussex (source : Julie Fletcher). He was baptised on 10th November 1829 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham). He had a private baptism, publicly received on 13th December 1829 (source : David Packham). He died on October 23rd 1847 (source : Julie Fletcher) and was buried on 30th October 1847 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham).

SARAH ANN BOURNE was born on July 27th 1832 in Arlington, Sussex (source : Julie Fletcher). She was baptised on 26th August 1832 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham). She died on November 19th 1849 (source : Julie Fletcher). and was buried on 24th November 1849 in Hellingly (source : David Packham).


JANE ANN BOURNE was born on March 1st 1836 in Arlington, Sussex (source : Julie Fletcher). She was baptised on 17th April 1836 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham). She died on October 24th 1836 in Arlington, Sussex (source : Julie Fletcher) and was buried on 20th October 1836 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham).

BETSY ANN BOURNE was born on September 4th 1839 in Arlington, Sussex (source : Julie Fletcher). He was baptised on 20th October 1839 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham). On the 1851 census, an 11-year-old scholar, she was living with her parents at Upper Dicker, Sussex. On the 1881 census, BETSY A. FOX (wife, 41, Hellingly) and HENRY FOX (head, 45, Arlington, Sussex, general labourer) are living at Cacklebury in Hailsham, Sussex, with their four children
 She married HENRY FOX in Holy Trinity, Upper Dicker, Hellingly, Sussex, on 10th August 1860 (source : David Packham). HENRY FOX was born circa 1836 and was the son of Arthur Fox, a farmer (source : David Packham). The witnesses at the wedding were Cornelius Fox and Susannah Piper (source : David Packham). Henry was a blacksmith, resident of Albourne, at the time of the marriage (source : David Packham). Betsy died on January 22nd 1919,in Shepherd's Bush, London (source : Julie Fletcher)

My great-grandmother's parents : Albert James Page (1868) & Emily Georgina Allen

ALBERT JAMES PAGE was born circa 1868 in Hastings, Sussex (source : 1881 census).

On the 1881 census, an unmarried 15-year-old general labourer, listed as JAMES PAGE, was living at No 25 Brewery Cottages, Roebuck Yard with his parents and sister.


He married EMILY GEORGINA ALLEN in June quarter 1895 in Hastings, Sussex (Free BMD – district Hastings volume 2b page 33). She was born circa 1871 in Croydon, Surrey (source : 1901 census).

On the 1901 census,  Albert, a 33-year-old navvy and family are at 44 Priory Road, Hastings.

On the 1911 census,  Albert, a 44-year-old general labourer and family are at 61 Sandown Road, Hastings. Next door was presumably Albert's father, Albert James Page, a 70-year-old widower, who was married for 52 years.

There are two ALBERT JAMES PAGEs listed in the 1948 Hastings Directory, one of which is presumably him – at 291 London Road, St Leonards, and 17 Plynlimmon Road.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

21 Sep 1946

Emily died in September 1946, aged 76. Albert was still alive at this time and their address was 17 Plynlimmon Road, est Hill.

The children of ALBERT JAMES PAGE and EMILY GEORGINA ALLEN :

MINNIE R PAGE was born circa 1896 in Hastings (source : 1901 census). On the 1901 census, age 5, she was living with her parents at 44 Priory Road, St Clements (Halton parish), Hastings.

BEATRICE ELIZABETH PAGE was born on 31st December 1897 in Hastings. On the 1901 census, age 3, she was living with her parents at 44 Priory Road, St Clements (Halton parish), Hastings. (Click through to see her page)

ALBERT J PAGE was born circa 1900 in Hastings (source : 1901 census). On the 1901 census, age 1, he was living with his parents at 44 Priory Road, St Clements (Halton parish), Hastings. There are two ALBERT JAMES PAGEs listed in the 1948 Hastings Directory, one of which is presumably him – at 291 London Road, St Leonards, and 17 Plynlimmon Road.

GUY (GUIDO) ALLEN married JEAN ? .

DOROTHY (DOLLY) PAGE

JOHN (known as JACK) PAGE married BARBARA ? .

FREDERICK PAGE married twice. His second wife was MABEL ? .

ROBERT PAGE married WINIFRED ? .

THOMAS PAGE married ROSE ? .

GLADYS IVY PAGE married FREDERICK WOODCOCK .They had the following children : CECIL AUGUSTUS WOODCOCK , JOHN WOODCOCK, GWENDOLINE WOODCOCK, GEORGE WOODCOCK, ARTHUR WOODCOCK, KATHLEEN WOODCOCK

Census returns for ALBERT JAMES PAGE and EMILY GEORGINA ALLEN :

1901 census :

address :  44 Priory Road, Hastings

Albert J Page, age 33, married, navvy, worker, born Ore, Hastings
Emily G Page, age 30, wife, born in Croydon,
Minnie R Page, daughter, 5, born Hastings
Beatrice E Page, daughter, 3, born Hastings
Albert J Page, son, 1, school, born Hastings

1911 census :

address :  61 Sandown Road Hastings

Albert James Page, age 44, married, general labourer, worker, born Ore, Hastings
Emily Georgina Page, age 40, wife, born in Croydon, married for 15 years, 9 children, all surviving
Beatrice Page, daughter, 13, school, born Hastings
Albert James Page, son, 11, school, born Hastings
Gladys Ivy Page, daughter, 9, born Hastings
John Page, son, 8, born Hastings
Thomas Page, son, 5, born Ore, Hastings
Frederick Page, son, 4, born Ore, Hastings
Robert Page, son, 2, born Ore, Hastings
Dorothy Page, daughter, 7 months, born Ore, Hastings

My gx3 grandfather : Henry Bourne (b1819)

HENRY BOURNE was born circa 1819 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham ). He was baptised on 10th September 1819 in Hellingly, Sussex (source : David Packham ).

He was a cordwainer journeyman (source : David Packham ), and on his son WILLIAM HENRY's wedding entry in 1880, he was described as a bootmaker (deceased) (source : PAR 469/1/3/4, page 42, entry 83).


He married CHARLOTTE ? (source : David Packham ). She was born circa 1824 in Alciston, Sussex (source : 1871 census). There is a marriage listed for HENRY BOURNE and CHARLOTTE WOODALL in December quarter 1842 which could be them (source : Free BMD, district Lewes, volume 7, page 253).


Henry was buried on 16th November 1865 in Upper Dicker, Sussex and the age given in the burial register is 47 years (source : David Packham ).

The Children of HENRY BOURNE & CHARLOTTE :

JOHN ROBERT BOURNE

SARAH ANN BOURNE

GEORGE JAMES BOURNE

CAROLINE BOURNE

WILLIAM H BOURNE

FREDERICK T BOURNE

WALTER A BOURNE (click through to see his page)

My gx4 grandfather : Richard Swain Offen (1768)

Richard Swain Offen was born in 1768 in Brede, East Sussex.


He married MARY SANDWELL on 5th January 1789 at the parish church of St John in Margate, Kent (source : Collette Kendall and Deborah Offen). She was born circa 1775 (source : Collette Kendall), possibly in Margate, Kent, since that is where the wedding took place. Both were of the parish and both made a mark.

This could be him mentioned in Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, 31 Jan 1817

Richard possibly died in July 1837 in Ramsgate, Kent and Mary a few months later in 1838 in Ramsgate, Kent (source : Collette Kendall), but there are no matches for these in the Ramsgate or St Laurence burials. It seems more likely that Mary was buried on 29th January 1834 at St George's in Ramsgate, Kent (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd). The burial record states that she died, aged 63, in Ramsgate and was buried in a 4ft 6ins earth grave no T70, it was a parish burial and cost 6/- .

Richard was buried on 25th January 1837 at St George's in Ramsgate, Kent (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd). The burial record states that he died, aged 69, in Ramsgate and was buried in a 4ft 6ins earth grave no L69, it was a parish burial and cost 5/- .

The Children of Richard Swain Offen and Mary Sandwell :

 CHARLOTTE OFFEN was born circa 1790 (source : burials register). She was baptised on 19th May 1792 in St John Thanet, Kent (source : Collette Kendall and Deborah Offen ).She married WILLIAM OCLEE on 7th October 1811 at St Lawrence in Thanet, Kent (source : marriage register, courtesy of Janet Todd ). The witnesses were WILKIN OFFEN and MARY OCLEE (source : marriage record). He was born circa 1786 in Dorking, Surrey (source : 1851 census). He was a water carrier/ostler (source : Janet Todd). On the 1841 census, Charlotte and William were at Smith's Cottage, Ramsgate with children Charles, Mary, Tom, Henry and (grandson?) William.Charlotte died, age 57 (according to the burials register), in 1847 and was buried on Christmas Eve , December 24th 1847 in St George's, Ramsgate, Kent (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd). It was a Parish Burial, and the grave (letter M) was 1ft from the wall on the south side (source : burials register).

Martha Swain Offen (1793)
Elizabeth Offen (1796)
George Offen (1799)
Sarah Offen (1801)
Alice Offen (1805)
Susanna Offen (1808)
Mildred Harriet (Harriet) Offen (1810)
Mary Ann Offen (1811)
Richard Swain Offen (1815) (click through to see his page)

My gx3 grandfather : Richard Swain Offen (1815)

Richard Swain Offen was born circa 1815. He was christened on 05/03/1815 at Ramsgate, Kent to parents Richard Swain Offen and Mary Sandwell (1771)

He married Jane Philpot on 6th September 1836 in St Lawrence, Thanet, Kent (source : marriage register, courtesy of Janet Todd). The witnesses were RICHARD OCLEE and ROBERT NEWING (source : marriage register).  She was born circa 1817 in Sunderland, County Durham (source : 1861 census).

On the 1841 census, Richard, a 25-year-old ag lab, his wife Jane (25) and their two children Elizabeth (3) and Charlotte (7 months) were at 5 Government Road, Ramsgate, Kent, along with WILLIAM OCLEE (25), JANE OCLEE (25) and ALFRED OCLEE (2).

On the 1851 census, Richard,  a 45-year-old agricultural labourer, wife Jane and the children were at 15 Newcastle Hill in Ramsgate.

On the 1861 census, Richard, a 45-year-old labourer, wife Jane and the children were at 15 Newcastle Hill in Ramsgate. Charles no longer gets a mention so he had presumably died.

census: On the 1871 census, they were just along the road at 2 Newcastle Hill - Richard (58, lab), Jane (59 charwoman) and two daughters.

There is a death listed for 68-year-old RICHARD SWAIN OFFEN in Thanet in September quarter 1877, which is him with the age a few years out (Free BMD : district Thanet, volume 2a, page 460). Ramsgate cemetery lists RICHARD SWAIN OFFEN, bathing man, who died in Ramsgate on 28th July 1877, aged 68, and who was buried on 31st July 1877 in plot number CB381 (source : Janet Todd).

The Children of Richard Swain Offen and Jane Philpot:

Alice Offen (1836) was baptised on 6th November 1836 in St George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent (source : baptism register, courtesy of Janet Todd). She died, aged 1, in Ramsgate and was buried on 8th April 1838 at St George's, Ramsgate, Kent (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd). Her grave was 3ft 6 ins, number M83, and it was a parish burial which cost 4/- (source : burials register).

Elizabeth Mary Offen was born circa 1838 in Ramsgate; Kent. She was baptised on 21st October 1838 in St George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent (source : baptism register, courtesy of Janet Todd). On the 1841 census, she was aged 3 and with her parents at 5 Government Row, Ramsgate, Kent. On the 1851 census, she was aged 12 and with her parents and siblings at 15 Newcastle Hill, Ramsgate, Kent. On the 1861 census, an unmarried 20-year-old seamstress, she was with the family at 15 Newcastle Hill in Ramsgate.

Charlotte Catherine Offen (1840) On the 1841 census, she was aged 7 months and with her parents at 5 Government Row, Ramsgate, Kent. She died, aged 1, and was buried on 25th November 1841 in St George's, Ramsgate, Kent (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd). The grave was 3ft 6 ins, number BB10, and it was a parish burial which cost 5/- (source : burials register).

Richard Swain Offen was born circa 1842 in Ramsgate; Kent. He was baptised on 25th September 1842 at St George's, Ramsgate, Kent (source : baptism register, courtesy of Janet Todd). On the 1851 census, aged 8, he was with his parents and siblings at 15 Newcastle Hill, Ramsgate, Kent.  On the 1861 census, an unmarried 17-year-old labourer, he was with the family at 15 Newcastle Hill in Ramsgate. He married JANE SUSANNAH MORRISON on7th January 1866 in St Lawrence, Thanet, Kent (source : wedding register, courtesy of Janet Todd). This marriage was registered in March quarter 1866 (source : Free BMD district Thanet volume 2a page 891). Richard was 22, abachelor, labourer of St Lawrence, Kent, and Jane was 18, a spinster, of St Lawrence (source : marriage register). The fathers were registered as Richard Offen, labourer and David Morrison, shoemaker, and the witnesses were Ellen Morrison, Thomas Philpot (source : marriage register). She was born circa 1848 in St Lawrence (Ramsgate), Kent (source : 1881 census). 1871 census - 22 Newcastle Hill. Richard Offen head (m) 27 hawker, b R/gte, wife Jane 23 shoebinder, b St Law, children           Alice 4 scholar, Richard 2, both b R/gte. On the 1881 census, they were living at 1 Newcastle Hill, Ramsgate, with their three teenage children, just a few doors along from Richard's childhood home and from Richard's brother GEORGE HENRY OFFEN, who was living at number 20. Both Richard and Jane were working, Richard giving his occupation as labourer and Jane as charwoman (source : 1881 census). 1891census - 5 Model Cottages. Richard S Offen head (m) 47 painter's lab, wife Jane 43, son Frederick Charles (u) 19        fisherman, all b R/gte.  Richard died in Ramsgate, Kent, aged 53, on 14th April 1897 and was buried on 19th April 1897 in Ramsgate cemetery, Plot HA 513 (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd). His death was registered (as RICHARD SWAIN OFFEN, 52) in June quarter 1897 (Free BMD : district Thanet, volume 2a page 507).

George Henry Offen  was born circa 1846 in Ramsgate; Kent. There is a birth registered for a GEORGE HENRY OFFEN in December quarter 1845 (source : Ancestry England and Wales, Civil Registration Index , county Kent, volume 5, page 481). He was baptised on 12th March 1848, the same day as his brother John, at St George's church in Ramsgate, Kent (source : baptism register, courtesy of Janet Todd). On the 1851 census, George, aged 6, was at home with his parents and siblings at 15 Newcastle Hill in Ramsgate, Kent. On the 1861 census, a 14-year-old scholar, he was at home with his parents and siblings, still at 15 Newcastle Hill in Ramsgate, Kent. They do not appear in Ramsgate in the 1871 census (source : Janet Todd).On the 1881 census, George was a fish-hawker and they were living at 20 Newcastle Hill, Ramsgate, Kent, with seven of their children, just a few doors along from George's childhood home and from George's brother RICHARD SWAIN OFFEN, who was living at number 1. They had at least ten children, two of which died in their early childhood.
1881 census: Dwelling : 20 Newcastle Hill, Ramsgate, Kent
 George H OFFEN, head, M, 32, born Ramsgate, fish hawker
Eliza OFFEN, wife, M, 34, born Ramsgate
Infant OFFEN, daughter, 10 days, born Ramsgate
Eliza OFFEN, daughter, 10, born Ramsgate, scholar
Clara OFFEN, daughter, 9, born Ramsgate, scholar
Emily OFFEN, daughter, 8, born Ramsgate, scholar
Elizabeth OFFEN, daughter, 3, born Ramsgate, scholar
John R OFFEN, son, 2, born Ramsgate
Charles A OFFEN, son, 2, born Ramsgate

 He married ELIZA EALDEN PITCHER in Thanet in 1869 (Free BMD : September quarter 1869, district Thanet, volume 2a, page 1181). The wedding certificate states :  George Henry Offen 22 (b) lab Hereson = Eliza Ealden Pitcher 23 (s) dom serv King St    19 Sep 1869 Holy Trinity.
Father: Richard Offen, lab. John Pitcher, fisherman.
Wit: John Offen, Catherine Jane Offen (source : Janet Todd, marriage reg)
George died in Ramsgate, Kent, aged 43, on 30th April 1888,and was buried on 7th May 1888 in Ramsgate cemetery, Plot no FB 288, which was an Unconsecrated grave (source : burial register, courtesy of Janet Todd).

John Offen (click through to see his page) was born circa 1848 in Ramsgate; Kent. On the 1861 census, an 12-year-old scholar, he was with the family at 15 Newcastle Hill in Ramsgate.

Charles Frederick Offen (1850) - On the 1851 census, he was aged 1 and with his parents and siblings at 15 Newcastle Hill, Ramsgate, Kent. He was buried on 16th August 1854 in St George's, Ramsgate, Kent (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd). His grave was 3ft 6 ins, number 7 in the 7th row from the south wall, lower end of N.G., and it was a parish burial (source : burials register).

Martha Matilda Offen (1852) was baptised on 11th June 1852 in St George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent (source : baptism register, courtesy of Janet Todd ). She died, an infant, and was buried on 7th January 1853 in St George's, Ramsgate, Kent (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd). Her grave was 3ft 6 ins, letter M, 9ft 3 ins from south wall, and it was a parish burial (source : burials register).

Catherine Jane Offen was born circa 1854 in Ramsgate; Kent. She was baptised on 1st October 1854 in St George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent (source : baptism register, courtesy of Janet Todd). On the 1861 census, she was aged 6, a scholar and with her parents and siblings at 15 Newcastle Hill, Ramsgate, Kent.  On the 1871 census, she was aged 16 and with her parents and siblings at 2 Newcastle Hill, Ramsgate, Kent. She married JOHN WILLIAM SMITH (born circa 1855 in Ramsgate) on 18th November 1877 in Holy Trinity Church, St Lawrence, Kent (source : marriage register, courtesy of Janet Todd). This marriage was registered in December quarter 1877 (source : Free BMD : district Thanet volume 2a page 1511). At the time of the marriage, John was a bachelor, aged 22, a shipwright, son of JOHN SMITH shipwright, and Catherine gave her father as RICHARD SWAIN OFFEN, gen dealer (source : marriage register). They both gave their address as 4 Trinity Place, Ramsgate, Kent and the witnesses were G PACKER and THOMAS A SPRATLING (source : marriage register). On the 1881 census, Cathrine (26, wife), John (26, shipwright), Jessie (2) and John (2 months) are all living at 3 Artillery Rd in Ramsgate, Kent.

Harriet Amelia/Mildred Offen was born circa 1857 in Ramsgate; Kent and was baptised on 27th September 1857 in St George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent (source : baptism register, courtesy of Janet Todd). On the 1861 census, a 3-year-old scholar, she was with the family at 15 Newcastle Hill in Ramsgate. On the 1871 census, she was aged 14 and with her parents and siblings at 2 Newcastle Hill, Ramsgate, Kent..

Census returns :

1841 census:
Dwelling : 5 Government Row, Ramsgate, Kent

census: Richard OFFEN, 25, ag lab
Jane OFFEN, 25
Elizabeth OFFEN, 3

Charlotte OFFEN, 7 months

1851 census: 
Address : 15 Newcastle Hill

Richard Offen, head, mar, 36, agricultural labourer, born Ramsgate
Jane Offen, wife, 35, born Sunderland
Elizabeth Offen, daughter, 12, born Ramsgate
Richard Offen, son, 8, born Ramsgate
George Offen, son, 6, born Ramsgate
John Offen, son, 3, born Ramsgate
Charles Offen, son, 1, born Ramsgate


1861 census :

Piece: RG9/536 Place: Ramsgate -Kent Enumeration District: 8- Civil Parish: Ramsgate Ecclesiastical Parish: Ramsgate Folio: 111 Page: 22 Schedule: 126 Address: 15 Newcastle Hill
		Surname		First name(s)		Rel		Status		Sex		Age		Occupation		Where Born		Remarks
		OFFEN		Richard		Head		M		M		45		Labourer		Kent - Ramsgate
		OFFEN		Jane		Wife		M		F		43		Labourer's Wife		Co. Durham - Sunderland
		OFFEN		Eliz M		Dau		U		F		20		Sempstress		Kent - Ramsgate
		OFFEN		Richard S		Son		-		M		17		Labourer		Kent - Ramsgate
		OFFEN		George H		Son		-		M		14		Scholar		Kent - Ramsgate
		OFFEN		John		Son		-		M		12		Scholar		Kent - Ramsgate
		OFFEN		Catharine J		Dau		-		F		6		Scholar		Kent - Ramsgate
		OFFEN		Harriet		Dau		-		F		3				Kent - Ramsgate

1871 census:
Dwelling : 2 Newcastle Hill, Ramsgate, Kent

census: Richard OFFEN, head, 58, lab, born Ramsgate Kent
Jane OFFEN, wife, 59, charwoman, born Durham Sunderland
Catherine OFFEN, dau, 16, born Ramsgate Kent
HarrietA OFFEN, dau, 14, born Ramsgate Kent

My gx2 grandfather : John Offen 1848

JOHN OFFEN was born circa 1848 in Ramsgate, Kent. There is a birth listed on Free BMD for a JOHN OFFEN in March quarter 1848 ( district Isle of Thanet (covers Ramsgate) volume 5 page 522.) He was christened on 12th March 1848, , the same day as his brother George,  at St George's, Ramsgate, Kent to parents Richard Swain Offen and Jane Philpot.

On the 1851 census, John, aged 3, was at home with his parents and siblings at 15 Newcastle Hill in Ramsgate, Kent.

 On the 1861 census, a 12-year-old scholar, he was at home with his parents and siblings, still at 15 Newcastle Hill in Ramsgate, Kent. The schooling couldn't have been up to much though, because he was illiterate (he marked his name with a cross on his son, GEORGE OFFEN’s wedding certificate) !!

He married MARY ANN WALKER on 9th October 1870 in Ramsgate, Kent (source : marriage register, courtesy of Janet Todd). John Offen was 21, a bachelor, labourer, living at 2 Hereson and Mary Ann Walker was 18, a spinster, Dom serv, also at 2 Hereson (source : marriage register). The fathers were given as Richard Offen, labourer and John Walker, deceased mariner and the witnesses were Richard & Catherine Offen (source : marriage register). This marriage was registered in December quarter 1870 in Thanet (Free BMD – district Thanet volume 2a page 1341). She was born circa 1853 in Margate (source : 1881 census).

On the 1871 census, John Offen, (husband, 21 hawker, born Ramsgate), Mary Ann, (wife 18 born Margate) and Stephen John Walker, (visitor (u) 16 hawker) are at 69 King St, Ramsgate, Kent, where the head of the house is William Bellecloth with his wife & son, fruiterer (source : Janet Todd).

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald Kent, England

2 Sep 1871

He is possibly the John Offen who tried to rescue two sisters who were drowning in the sea at Ramsgate in 1871. They were staying at 140 King Street which would have been just along the road from where John lived with his family.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald Kent, England

4 Sep 1875

He is possibly the John Offen involved in trying to save a second drowning victim a few years later.

On the 1881 census, John was a fish-hawker, Mary was a laundress and, along with their five children, they were living at 9 Bellavesta Terrace, St Lawrence (Ramsgate), Kent.

On the 1891 census, John Offen, (head 40 gen lab), wife Mary Ann and children Stephen (14), George (11 scholar) are at 11 Model Cotts, Ramsgate, Kent (source : Janet Todd).

 On the 1901 census, Mary was a charwoman. She is listed as single so John presumably died between 1891 and 1901.

The children of John Offen and Mary Ann Walker :

HARRIET LUCY OFFEN was born in June quarter 1871 in Ramsgate, Kent (Free BMD – district Thanet volume 2a page 785). She was baptised on 8th August 1871 at St George's, Ramsgate, Kent, daughter of John and Mary of Ramsgate, salesman (source : baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd). On the 1881 census, she was living with her parents as 9 Bellavesta Terrace, St Lawrence. She married ROBERT HENERY GRIGGS or GEORGE MIRAMS in June quarter 1891 (source : Free BMD, district Thanet, volume 2a, page 1503).

JOHN RICHARD OFFEN was baptised on 26th October 1874 at St George's, Ramsgate, Kent, son of John and Mary Ann, of Ramsgate, fish hawker (source : baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd). (At the side of the register was written "from St Paul's Mission Church" and the baptism is also found recorded in St Paul's records. It appears that for a while St Paul's parishioners had to use St Georges, there are other baptisms the same. I believe St Pauls at the time was having some work done on it. - source : Janet Todd). On the 1881 census, he was living with his parents as 9 Bellavesta Terrace, St Lawrence. He married EMMA JANE BERRYCLOTH in December quarter 1894 (Free BMD – district Thanet, volume 2a page 1775). On the 1901 census, John, a 27-year-old house painter, and his wife Emma (26, born St Lawrence Kent) were both in St Lawrence, Kent (source : 1901 census index, household needs checking).


CATHERINE E OFFEN was baptised on 2nd November 1875 at St George's, Ramsgate, daughter of John and Mary Ann, of Ramsgate, fish hawker (source : baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd).
There is a birth listed on Free BMD for CATHERINE ***** OFFEN in September quarter 1875 – district Thanet, volume 2a page 837. On the 1881 census, she was living with her parents as 9 Bellavesta Terrace, St Lawrence, Kent. She married GEORGE PEALL on 7th June 1897 at St Paul's in Ramsgate (source : marriage register, courtesy of Janet Todd). Catherine was 22, a spinster, of King St, and George was 21, a bachelor, fisherman, of 133 King St (source : marriage register). The fathers were recorded as John Offen, painter and John Edward Peall, deceased fly driver, and the witnesses were Joseph Peall, and Gertrude Mary Crole (source : marriage register). On the 1901 census, Catherine (24), her husband George PEAL (24, born Ramsgate Kent, fisherman and their two young children BEATRICE PEAL (2, born Ramsgate Kent) and ALICE PEAL (1, born Ramsgate Kent) are all listed in St Lawrence, Kent (source : 1901 census index, household needs checking).


STEPHEN ROBERT OFFEN was baptised on 14th August 1910 at St George's, Ramsgate, Kent and was recorded as son of John & Mary Ann, 14 Trinity Place, labourer (source : baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd). He gave his date of birth as 19th November 1880, but this seems impossible as his brother George was supposedly born on 15th April 1880 and they can't have both been born in the same year (source : Janet Todd). As Janet surmises, "Stephen might have been born in 1877/8 as he is 3 in 1881 and 14 in 1891, but he was said to be 21 on the 1901 census and when he married Sarah Taylor in December 1904 he was 24 which takes us back to 1880. Some people can never make up their minds!" On the 1881 census, he was living with his parents at 9 Bellavesta Terrace, St Lawrence.  On the 1901 census, he was a 21-year-old fisherman, listed with his brother GEORGE in St Lawrence (Ramsgate), Kent (source : 1901 census index, household needs checking). He married SARAH TAYLOR on 18th December 1904 in Holy Trinity, Ramsgate (source : marriage register, courtesy of Janet Todd). Stephen was 24, a bachelor, fisherman, address 7 Serene Place and Sarah was 19, a spinster, also at 7 Serene Place (source : marriage register). The fathers were given as John Offen, decorator and Thomas Henry Taylor, lab, and the witnesses were Thomas Henry and Emily Taylor (source : marriage register). They lived at 33 St David's Road, Dumpton, Ramsgate (source : Brian Marsden). Stephen served in the army, in the Royal East Kent Regiment (the Buffs), 2nd batallion, during the Second World War (source : Karen and Nick Evans). He was in Baghdad and El Alemein, and was at the presentation of the Stalingrad Sword (source : Karen and Nick Evans).

GEORGE ISAAC OFFEN was born on 15th April 1880 in Ramsgate, Kent (source : birth certificate). On the 1881 census, he was living with his parents as 9 Bellavesta Terrace, St Lawrence. (Click through to see his page)

FREDERICK OFFEN was baptised on 4th November 1885 at St Paul's, Ramsgate, Kent, son of John & Mary Ann, 2 Newcastle Hill, fish hawker (source : baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd).

ETHEL EMMA OFFEN was baptised on 30th July 1890 at St Paul's, Ramsgate, Kent, daughter of John & Mary Ann, 13 Model Cotts, lab (source : baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd). She died in Ramsgate on 16th October 1890, aged 3 months, and was buried on 20th October 1890 in Ramsgate cemetery, Plot no IC 475 (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd). Her death is registered in December quarter 1890 (source : Ancestry England and Wales, Civil Registration Index, county Kent, volume 2a, page 580).

ALICE OFFEN was baptised on 29th June 1892 at St Paul's, Ramsgate, Kent, daughter of John & Mary Ann, Henry Villas, Packers Lane, lab (source : baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd). There are two births registered for Alice Offens in March quarter 1892 (source : Ancestry England and Wales, Civil Registration Index , county Kent, volume 2a, page 753 and 920).

Census returns :

1881 census :

address : 9 Bellavesta Terrace, St Lawrence

John Offen, head, mar, 32, fish hawker, born Ramsgate
May A Offen, wife, 28, laundress, born Margate Kent
Harriett L Offen, daughter, 10, scholar, born Ramsgate
John R Offen, son, 8, scholar, born Ramsgate
Catherine E Offen, daughter, 5, scholar, born Ramsgate
Stephen R Offen, son, 3 ,  born Ramsgate
George Offen, son, 1,born Ramsgate

1891 census :
address : 11 Model Cotts, St Lawrence

John Offen, head, mar, 40, general labourer, born Ramsgate
Mary Ann Offen, daughter (presumably a mistake - supposed to say wife), 20, born Ramsgate
Stephen R Offen, son, 14 ,  born Ramsgate
George Offen, son, 11,scholar, born Ramsgate

1901 census :
address : 4 Montague Road, St Lawrence

Mary Ann Offen, lodger, s, 47, charwoman (own account), born Ramsgate

My great grandfather : George Isaac Offen 1879

George Isaac Offen was born on 15th April 1880 in Ramsgate, Kent (as per birth certificate). He was a house painter/decorator (source : 1911 census)

On the 1881 census, he was living with his parents at 9 Bellavesta Terrace, St Lawrence. On the 1891 census, he was at 11 Model Cotts, St Lawrence, with his family.

On the 1901 census, George, a 20-year-old general labourer, was with his brother STEPHEN in Ramsgate, Kent (source : 1901 census index, household needs checking).

George was in trouble with the long arm of the law in 1901 for not carrying a light! The East Kent Times, 20 Mar 1901, reports: "George Offen, 7 Montague Rd, a young carter, in respect of a summons for the breach of the 'Lamps on Vehicles' byelaw, pleaded guilty - PC Daff started the case - Defendant said he was not aware that it was necessary to carry a lighted lamp in the town - This being one of the first cases under the new byelaw; defendant was let off with 8/-. The mayor pointed out that the penalty was one of £5." (source : Janet Todd)

Dorothy Offen with her mum, Edith Jane Offen nee Usher

He married EDITH JANE USHER on 21/08/1905 at St Luke’s Church in Ramsgate, Kent.  The witnesses were ALBERT EDWARD GRIGGS and ALICE ROSE USHER. On their wedding certificate, they both gave their address as 7 Montague Road, Ramsgate.

EDITH JANE USHER was born circa 1887 in Wrotham, Kent (source : 1901 census) or circa 1888 in London, Hammersmith (source : 1911 census). According to her tombstone, she was born on 14th February 1888 in Ramsgate. On the 1901 census, she was living with her parents at 44 St Mary’s Lane, Wrotham, Kent.

Their first child, George, was born in 1907 in Hammersmith, but it would appear that by the next year, they were living in Ramsgate (given their children's birth places).

On the 1911 census, George, Edith and their four children are at 10 Belle Vue Cottages Ramsgate

In the Isle of Thanet Kelly's Directory 1929, George Issac Offen is listed at 33 St Luke's Avenue in Ramsgate, in the list of private residents.

 GEORGE OFFEN was a carman at the time of his wedding in 1905 (source : wedding certificate) and later worked as a house painter (source : Hastings cemetery). In 1939, when their youngest son Frederick got married, their address was given as 1 Coburg Place, Hastings. At his death in 1951, GEORGE OFFEN’s address was given as 15 Bourne Walk, Hastings, but his obituary also says that they lived for many years in the West Hill area.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

20 Feb 1926

 In 1926, they were living in Priory Road and Edith was in conflict with her neighbour, Rose Sutton - she was definitely a feisty woman that you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of !

EDITH JANE OFFEN nee USHER died on 27th June 1945 in Hastings (source : Hastings cemetery). She was buried in Hastings cemetery (plot LJ 08) on 2nd July 1945 (source : Hastings cemetery).

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

17 Feb 1951

GEORGE OFFEN died on 3rd February 1951, aged 70, at his home, 15 Bourne Walk but he had spent much of life living in the West Hill district, according to his obituary. He was buried with his wife in Hastings cemetery on 9th February 1951 (source : Hastings cemetery). The cremated remains of their daughter DOROTHY ETHEL DELONNETTE nee OFFEN were scattered on this grave after her death (source : Hastings cemetery).

The children of GEORGE OFFEN and EDITH JANE USHER :

GEORGE OFFEN was born on 13th September 1906 (source : death register) in Hammersmith, London (source : 1911 ce sus).. On the 1911 census, aged 4, he was with his family at  10 Belle Vue Cottages Ramsgate. He married QUEENIE ? and they had no children. He died, aged 73, on 25th October 1978 in Hastings and his cremated remains were scattered in the garden of remembrance bed 22 A6 (source : Hastings cemetery).

JOHN RICHARD (Jack) OFFEN (1908) married MAY/MOLLY WINCH - click through to see his page.

WILLIAM STEPHEN  OFFEN (1909) married ETHEL RAY. He was best man at his brother Frederick's wedding in December 1939. - click through for his page

EDITH ELIABETH SARAH OFFEN (1910) (known as BET) married DENNIS (DEN) LEE. EDITH ELIZABETH SARAH OFFEN (or BET) was born on 16th September 1910 and baptised on 9th October 1910 at Holy Trinity, Ramsgate, daughter of George and Edith Jane, 10 Bellevue Cotts, lab (source : baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd). On the 1911 census, aged 7 months, she was with her family at  10 Belle Vue Cottages Ramsgate.

ALICE LILIAN OFFEN (1912) - click through to see her page

FREDERICK THOMAS OFFEN (1914) married JOYCE THOMAS in December 1939. They had two children, Wendy and Pauline.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

30 Dec 1939

DOROTHY ETHEL OFFEN was born on 13th August 1918 in Hastings (source : short birth certificate). She married William Albert Delonnette in 1945 in Hastings.

Census returns :

1881 census :
address : 9 Bellavesta Terrace, St Lawrence

John Offen, head, mar, 32, fish hawker, born Ramsgate
May A Offen, wife, 28, laundress, born Margate Kent
Harriett L Offen, daughter, 10, scholar, born Ramsgate
John R Offen, son, 8, scholar, born Ramsgate
Catherine E Offen, daughter, 5, scholar, born Ramsgate
Stephen R Offen, son, 3 ,  born Ramsgate
George Offen, son, 1,born Ramsgate

1891 census :
address : 11 Model Cotts, St Lawrence

John Offen, head, mar, 40, general labourer, born Ramsgate
Mary Ann Offen, daughter (presumably a mistake - supposed to say wife), 20, born Ramsgate
Stephen R Offen, son, 14 ,  born Ramsgate
George Offen, son, 11,scholar, born Ramsgate



1911 census :
Dwelling : 10 Belle Vue Cottages Ramsgate

George Offen, head, 29, married, house painter/decorator, born Kent Ramsgate
Edith Jane Offen, wife, 22, married (for 5 years), 4 children born, 4 still living, born London Hammersmith
George Offen, son, 4 , born London Hammersmith
John Offen, son, 3, born Kent Ramsgate
William Offen, son, 2, born Kent Ramsgate
Edith Offen, daughter, 7 months, born Kent Ramsgate

My gx12 grandfather : Abraham Sands (b 1585)

Abraham Sands was born in 1585.

He married ​ Ann Caplin on 20 FEB 1612 in Grafham, West Sussex. She was born in 1585

The Children of Abraham Sands and Ann Caplin:

 Abraham Sandes 1613 (click through to see his page)
George Sands 1612-
John Sands 1617-
Thomas Sands 1620-1628
​ Frances Sands 1622-

My gx11 grandfather : Abraham Sands (b 1613)

Abraham Sandes was born in 1613

He married Ann Kirbie on 30 MAY 1631 at Holy Trinity,Guildford,Surrey. She was born in 1614 ​ 

The Children of Abraham Sands and Ann Kirbie:

 Abraham Sandes 1631 (click through to see his page)
​ Bethia Sandes 1634-1639
 ​ Thomas Sanders 1636-
 ​ An Sands 1637-1639
 ​ Bethia Sandes 1639-1639
 Ric Sandes 1641

My gx10 grandfather : Abraham Sands (b 1631)

ABRAHAM SANDS was born in 1631.

He married ANN PRUYN on 9 JAN 1651 at Holy Trinity, Guildford. She was born in 1632.

The children of Abraham Sands and Ann Pruyn :

Ann Sands 1653-
​ Abraham Sands1656-1726 (click through to see his page)
 ​ Tho Sands 1658-
 ​ Eliz Sands 1661-
​ Bethiah Sands 1663-
 ​ Richard Sanders

My gx9 grandfather : Abraham Sands (b 1656)

 Abraham Sands was born in 1656 in Guildford, Surrey. He was christened on 16th January 1656  in Guildford, Surrey.

He married ANN WICKHAM. She was born in 1660.

He died in 1726 in Sussex.

The children of Abraham Sands and Ann Wickham :

William Sandes 1683-1734 (click through to see his page)
 ​ Margaret Sandes 1683-1687
 ​ Anne Sands 1687-
 Abraham Sands 1689
​ Ellen Sands 1692

My gx8 grandfather : William Sands (b 1683)

WILLIAM SANDS was born in 1683 in Cowden, Kent. He was christened on  22 December 1683 in Dallington, Sussex.

 He married  MARY TOLHURST in 1701 in Cowden, Kent.

 He died in February 1734 in Dallington. He was buried on 28 Dec 1767 in Heathfield, Sussex

Mary died in 1741

 The children of WILLIAM SANDS and MARY TOLHURST : 

 John Sands 1702- (click through to see his page)

 Benjamin Sands 1703-1780 - He was christened in St Giles, Dallington on 25 Nov 1705 to parents William and Mary (source : parish register)

 Thomas Roberts Sands 1709-1712 - He was christened in St Giles, Dallington on 9 Feb 1709 to parents William and Mary  (source : parish register)

 ​ Joseph Sands 1711-1797 - He was christened in St Giles, Dallington on 28 Sept 1711 to parents William and Mary  (source : parish register)

​ Jeremiah Sandes 1712-1781

 ​

Mary Sands - She was christened in St Giles, Dallington on 25 Jan 1716 to parents William and Mary  (source : parish register)

 Ann Sandes 1725-
 ​

My gx7 grandfather : John Sands (b 1703)

JOHN SANDS was born in 1703 in Dallington, Sussex (source : Lee Jacobs and Philip Thompson). He was baptised on 21st January 1703 at St Giles in Dallington,Sussex , to parents William and Mary (source : baptism record)

He married MARY VALENCE on 18th January 1727/8 in Warbleton, Sussex (source : IGI, Batch No.: M042841 Dates: 1559 – 1812 Source Call No.: 0504418 Type: Film Printout Call No.: NONE Type: Sheet: 00 ). She was born in Warbleton, Sussex (source : Philip Thompson).

The children of JOHN SANDS and MARY VALENCE :

WILLIAM SANDS was born circa 1731. He was christened on 27th May 1731 in Dallington,.

JOHN SANDS was born circa 1733, to JOHN SANDS and MARY SANDS nee VALENCE? (source : Joanne Mays Becker ). He was baptised on 9th December 1733 in Warbleton, Sussex (source : Joanne Mays Becker). (Click through to see his page)

 Mary Sands 1735-

 John Sands 1733-1800 (click through to see his page)

 ​ Hannah Sands 1738-

 ​ Sarah Sands 1740-

 Rebekah Sands 1744-

 Bartholemew Sands 1747-1747

 ​ Thomas Sands 1747-1747

 Elizabeth Sands 1748-

My gx6 grandfather : John Sands b1733

JOHN SANDS was born circa 1733, to JOHN SANDS and MARY SANDS nee VALENCE? (source : Joanne Mays Becker ). He was baptised on 9th December 1733 in Warbleton, Sussex (source : Joanne Mays Becker). He was a farmer (source : Joanne Mays Becker).

He married ELIZABETH MARTIN on 5th February 1760 in Mountfield, Sussex (source : Keith Sands). The witnesses were Jeremiah Shadwell and William Sands. She was born circa 1738 in Mountfield, Sussex (source : burial entry).

Her parents were WILLIAM MARTIN and KATHERINE CATT and she was christened on 21st November 1738 in Mountfield, Sussex (source : IGI, no source available).

 JOHN SANDS (and/or his son JOHN SANDS?) appear to have rented the Manor House, Dallington, from the Earl of Ashburnham, from 1772 to 1816. In 1785 the rental was 1 pound-10 per annum. ” The building, which is a three-bay hall house, dates from the late fourteenth or fifteenth century. Whilst it is not impossible that this building was once the manor house of Dallington, its size suggests that it is more likely to have been the seat of the local manorial court … The house was known as Manor House or The Manor, while the farmland, which lay to the south and east of the property, was known as Acelands Farm or sometimes Manor Farm” (source : “Dallington, Six Miles from Everywhere, the History of a Sussex Village” by Karen Bryant-Mole). The house stayed in the family until 1851, rented by James Sands (John Sands Jr's son) (source : Joanne Mays Becker and Keith Sands).

The British Listed Buildings website descibes it as follows : C15 timber-framed building of Wealden type with plaster infilling. The first floor
of the end window-bays oversails. Recessed centre with brackets to the eaves.
Steeply-pitched hipped tiled roof. Casement windows with diamond-shaped panes.
Blocked pointed doorway. 2 storeys. 3 windows.

 ELIZABETH SANDS nee MARTIN died on 20th June 1787, just three months after her son John's marriage to Anne, and was buried in Dallington, St Giles, stone number 31 (source : SFHG Tombstone Inscription). The inscription reads :  SANDS, ELIZABETH, wife of JOHN SANDS, 20/6/1787 aged 48, so JOHN SANDS was still alive in 1787. The Bishop’s Transcripts record a burial on 6th January 1787 for the “wife of John Sands sen.” .

John senior was possibly buried on 8th April 1812 in Dallington, but as no age is given, this may not be him (source : Joanne Mays Becker).

 The Children of JOHN SANDS and ELIZABETH MARTIN: 

 JOHN SANDS was born circa 1757. He was christened on 30th November 1760 in Dallington, Sussex (source : Dallington Parish Register). (click through to see his page)

MARY SANDS was born circa 1765. She was christened on 28th July 1765 in Mountfield, Sussex (source : Keith Sands). She died on 12th January 1793 in Dallington, Sussex, aged 27 (source : SFHG tombstones and burials index). She was buried on 16th January 1793 in Dallington, Sussex (source :Keith Sands). Her tombstone (number 30 in St Giles, Dallington, Sussex) reads : ” SANDS, MARY, died 12/1/1793, aged 27″ (source : SFHG tombstones and burials index)

My gx5 grandfather : John Sands b1757

JOHN SANDS was born circa 1757 in Dallington, Sussex. He was christened on 30 November 1760 in Dallington, Sussex.

He married AVIS BETTS on 19 April 1782 in Dallington.

They had a daughter CHARLOTTE SANDS who was born in 1782 and died in 1783

 He married ANN BARNES on 29 March 1787 in Dallington, Sussex.

Just three months after the wedding, his mother Elizabeth died.

By 1797, the family had fallen on hard times. There is a Removal order from Ashburnham (Reference: PAR233/32/2/40) for John Sands, his wife Ann and children John (8 years), Mary (7 years), Silas (5 years), James (3 years) and George (1 year) back to Dallington, dated 2nd May 1797.

A matter of months before the family was settled, Hannah BARDEN had given birth to John's illegitimate child, Henry BARDEN, in Ashburnham.  She married Edward STONESTREET- John's nephew (whose mother Mary was the sister of John's first wife, Avis BETTS), in 1803.

 Shortly after their settlement, Ann gave birth to twins, Thomas and Joseph, and all three were buried at Dallington.

 John probably lived in Dallington with his father, a widower since the death of his wife Elizabeth nee MARTIN in 1787, and sister Mary who lived at Old Manor House. John Sr ( had lived there since 1772.John Jr (1757) then rented it until his son James assumed the lease in 1817. This arrangement continued until 1851 so the house was in the SANDS family for about eighty years.

 He died in  1812 in Dallington

 The children of JOHN SANDS and AVIS BETTS :

Charlotte Sands 1782-1783

 The children of JOHN SANDS and ANN BARNES :

John Sands 1788-
Mary Sands 1789-1807
 Silas Sands 1791-1864
 James Sands 1793-
 George Sands 1796- (click through to see his page)
​ Joseph Sands 1797-
 ​ Thomas Sands 1797-

My gx4 grandfather : Silas Sands b1791

SILAS SANDS was born in 1791 in Dallington, Sussex. He was baptised on 13th November 1791 in Dallington, Sussex and his parents are listed as John Sands and Ann (source : IGI, Batch No.: C041191 Dates: 1598 - 1810 Source Call No.: 0504412 Type: Film Printout Call No.: 0933238 Type: Film Sheet: 00 ).

He married ANN PRIOR on 20th December 1809 in Herstmonceux, Sussex (source : IGI, Batch No.: M166101 Dates: 1606 - 1640 Source Call No.: 1468901 Type: Film Printout Call No.: NONE). She was was born circa 1789 in Heathfield, Sussex (source : 1851 census). The IGI lists a christening for Ann Prior on 22nd March 1789 in Heathfield, Sussex, to parents SAMUEL PRIOR and MARY BISHOP (source : IGI, Film Number: 451013 ).

From 1828 to 1837, Silas took over as head of the Ashburnham Brickworks (source : “Brickmaking in Sussex, A History and Gazetteer” by Mollie Beswick, 2001 Middleton Press for the Sussex Archaeology Society). He gave his occupation as brickmaker at his children’s baptisms in 1835 (source : Joanne Mays Becker) and also on his daughter Harriet’s marriage entry in 1838 (source : Trevor Hobden) (a step down from head of the brickworks to simple brickmaker?) but in 1845, he gives his profession as farmer (source : marriage entry for Matilda and Henry, Warbleton Parish register).

On the 1841 census, Silas, a 50-year-old farmer, is at Sheep Shaw, Brightling, with his wife Ann (50) and children (James, Martha, Silas, Charlotte, George). There is also 85-year-old Mary Prior (presumably Ann's mother) and two males, possibly workers or possibly family, 40-year-old Henry Graylan and 15-year-old William Gillett.

 On the 1851 census, Silas, a 59-year-old married farmer, is listed as a lodger in the widow Maria FULLER's household at B Forest Cottage, (Dallington?), Sussex. Ann is not with him, and is presumably the 63-year-old married ANNE SANDS (born Heathfield Sussex) listed alone at South Lane.

On the 1861 census, Silas, Ann and Harriet are listed at Woods Corner, Dallington, Sussex (source : Pauline Mowbray).

 He died in February 1864 in Hurst Green, Sussex. He was buried on 26 February 1864 in Hurst Green, Sussex.

ANN was buried, aged 73, on 7th February 1863 in Dallington, Sussex (source : Dallington register, PAR 323/5/1-2, page 60, no. 479). The cause of her death was registered as “natural decay” and she is described as the wife of SILAS SANDS, retired farmer (source : death certificate). The informant was HARRIET SANDS, presumably their daughter, who was attendant at the death (source : Pauline Mowbray).

SILAS SANDS died a year later on 21st February 1864 in Hurst Green, Sussex (source : death certificate). The cause of death was disease of the liver (source : death certificate). He was buried on 26th February 1864 at St Mary’s Church, Salehurst, Sussex (source : Salehurst Parish register).

 The children of SILAS SANDS and ANN PRIOR : 

WILLIAM SANDS 1810-1901 (click through to see his page)

 JEREMIAH SANDS 1815-

 JAMES SANDS 1818-1891- He was christened on 15th November 1818 in Dallington, Sussex (source : IGI and Free BMD). On the 1841 census, James, age given as 20, is at Sheep Shaw, Brightling, with his family.  (click through to see his page)


 MARTHA SANDS 1821- On the 1841 census, Martha, age given as 20, is at Sheep Shaw, Brightling, with her family.

 HARRIET SANDS 1821-1904 was born circa 1821 in Ashburton (Ashburnham, presumably), Sussex (source : 1881 census). She was christened on 16th March 1821 in Ashburnham, Sussex (source : Keith Sands).  She married JOHN HOBDEN on 25th February 1838 in Ashburnham, Sussex (source : marriage certificate). The witnesses were William Scotcher and William Morris (parish clerk), both signed. JOHN HOBDEN was the son of RICHARD HOBDEN and LYDIA CARTER and was born circa 1810 in Dallington, Sussex (source : 1851 census). His older sister, MARY HOBDEN, had married GEORGE SANDS, son of JOHN and LUCY SANDS nee HAISELDEN, one month before on 21st January 1838, also at Ashburnham, Sussex (source : Joanne Mays Becker). Both of these marriages were registered in March quarter 1838 (source : Free BMD, district Battle, volume 7, page 239 ).On the 1851 census, John (41 ag lab), his wife Harriett (32), John (12 scholar), Ann (6 at home), Ellen (5 scholar) and, Charlotte (2) are at Sand Hill Lane. The other children are not mentioned – there are two possibles (James 11 and William 6, born Warbleton) at Hailsham Union Workhouse, but they are listed as inmates’ sons (source : 1851 census). On the 1881 census, Harriet, a 62-year-old widow, is at Mag's Hole, Ashburnham, Sussex with her son, George, and her daughter, Margaret

SILAS SANDS 1822-1903- He was christened on 22nd December 1822 in Ashburnham, Sussex (source : Keith Sands). On the 1841 census, Silas, age given as 15, is at Sheep Shaw, Brightling, with his family.  He married HARRIET MARCER / MESSETTER circa 1847 in Warbleton, Sussex (source : marriage entry in Warbleton parish register). The witnesses were William Marcer and Henry Brook (source : marriage entry in Warbleton parish register). Harriet was born circa 1828 in Dallington, Sussex (source : 1851 census). The Warbleton parish register lists her as the daughter of GEORGE MARCER/MESSETTER, a labourer (source : marriage entry). The confusion over the name comes from the fact that the marriage certificate states MARCER but their daughter Caroline's birth certificate states MESSETTER. However, as both the bride and the witness were illiterate, the priest may have misspelt the surname on the marriage register. On the 1851 census, Silas, a 28-year-old ag lab, his wife Harriet 22) and two daughters are all listed at Hooks House in Dallington (?), Sussex.  In 1874, Silas gave his occupation as labourer on his daughter Caroline's marriage certificate.   Silas shows up as a 59-year-old widower on the 1881 census, at Old End, Dallington, Sussex, with sons William and George and daughter Kate. On the 1901 census, Silas (age 78, born Sussex Ashburnham) is all alone in Burwash, Sussex (source : 1901 census index - household needs checking). Silas died in 1903 (source : Joanne Mays Becker). His death is registered in December quarter 1903 and his age at death as 91 (source : Free BMD, district Battle volume 2b page 41).

MATILDA SANDS 1824-1894 She was christened on 15th September 1824 in Ashburnham, Sussex (source : Keith Sands). She was not at home with the rest of her family at Sheep Shaw, Brightling, Sussex on the 1841 census. She married HENRY BALDOCK circa 1845 in Warbleton, Sussex and the witnesses were Silas Sands and Charlotte Sands (presumably the bride's sister and brother or father) (source : Joanne Mays Becker).Henry died before 1881 because on the 1881 census, Matilda shows up as a 59-year-old "widow of ag lab" with her children Charles and Martha at Sandhole No 1 in Brenchley, Kent. Matilda possibly remarried, since there is a marriage listed for MATILDA BALDOCK in September quarter 1883, to either ALBERT BROOKS or JOHN THOMAS ROOTS (source : Free BMD, district Tunbridge volume 2a page 1023 ).

 CHARLOTTE SANDS 1826​ - On the 1841 census, Charlotte, age given as 10, is at Sheep Shaw, Brightling, with her family.  On the 1851 census, CHARLES DREWRY (M 40 cordwainer Ticehurst) was a visitor at Swiftsden, Salehurst, Sussex, with Benjamin (46 ag lab Etchingham) and Harriot (44 Ticehurst) Sanders. There was another visitor, William Drewry (18 U cordwainer Etchingham) but no mention of Charlotte. She married CHARLES DRUERRY on 2nd December 1849 in Wartling, Sussex (source : Wartling parish register). The witnesses were Charlotte Druerry (his sister?) and George Sinnock and he gave his occupation as labourer (source : marriage entry). He was the son of EDWARD and ANN DRUERRY and was born circa 1813 in Battle, Sussex (source : marriage entry and 1851 census). Charlotte died on 23rd March 1874 in Salehurst, Sussex (source : Keith Sands). Her death, aged 47, is registered in March quarter 1874 (source : Free BMD, district Ticehurst (covers Salehurst), volume 2b, page 6_ ).

 GEORGE SANDS 1827-1891- On the 1841 census, George, age given as 5, is at Sheep Shaw, Brightling, with his family.
On the 1851 census, a GEORGE SANDS (age 18, Unmarried, born Mountfield) was lodging in Burwash Village, Sussex with the Chandler family : Hannah – 58, H, housekeeper, W, her daughter Ellener (17) her son George (22, a railway labourer) and her son Richard (13, a railway labourer). On the 1881 census, they show up in Main Street, Burwash, Sussex – George a 48 year old “lab on highway” born Ashburnham and his wife Mary A (48, born Brightling).He married MARY ANN CROUCH on 16th June 1860 in Brightling, Sussex (source : Brightling Parish register). The witnesses were Ann Crouch and James Crouch (source : Brightling Parish register). The marriage was registered in June quarter 1860 (source : Free BMD, district Battle, volume 2b, page 65). Mary was born circa 1832 in Brightling, Sussex (source : 1851 and 1861 census). On his marriage entry, George gives his occupation as brickmaker (source : Herstmonceux Parish register), probably at the Ashburnham Estate Brickworks .There is a death listed for GEORGE SANDS, age 67, in December quarter 1898 (Free BMD district Ticehurst volume 2b page 64), which could be him.

 ANN SANDS 1835-1838 She was christened on 22nd March 1835 in Ashburnham, Sussex (source : Keith Sands).  The Ashburnham parish register records the burial of Anne, who lived in Brightling and died aged 3, on 13th November 1838 (PAR 233/1/1/3). There is a death listed for ANN SANDS in December quarter 1838 (source : Free BMD, district Battle, volume 7, page 171).

 KATE L. SANDS 1839-  On the 1851 census, she does not show up in Dallington, Mayfield, Hollington or Hellingly, so was probably in service somewhere (source : Joanne Mays Becker).

Census returns :

1841 (10) CENSUS RETURNS FOR BRIGHTLING, Household Schedule [57] ~ Sands (Sheep Shaw)
Sands Silas 50 Male Not given Unknown (SSX)
Sands Ann 50 Female Not given Unknown (SSX)
Sands James 20 Male Not given Unknown (SSX)
Sands Martha 20 Female Not given Unknown (SSX)
Sands Silas 15 Male Not given Unknown (SSX)
Sands Charlotte 10 Female Not given Unknown (SSX) Magnifying glass image
Sands George 5 Male Not given Unknown (SSX) Magnifying glass image
Prior Mary 85 Female Not given Unknown (SSX) Magnifying glass image
Gillett William 15 Male Not given Unknown (SSX) Magnifying glass image
Graylan Henry 40 Male Not given Unknown (SSX)