Hi East Garston,

I have come up against a brick wall on my web site for Anthony Bowsher born 1729. I am unable to find his place of birth or father. He married Catherine Hopkins in 1765. He could have been born in the valley somewhere although not found on the Lambourn site. His children ended up in East Garston so I am hoping somehow I can hook him up to the rest of my site. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Janet Yuill (nee Bowsher)
Canada

Received 27th January 2010

Hello,
I am currently constructing my family tree and have come across a picture of my great great grandparents cottage in the East Garston area (see below). My great great grandparents were James William Mackrill and Alice Townsend. Do you know where the cottage is? or know anyone that does? Thank you.

Marcus Caldwell

Received 16th August 2009

....

Thankyou very much for putting it on the website. I have found a another picture of the cottage (see below) probably taken in the 1950's. It had been renovated so looks almost completely different.

Also I found a note in a bible given to my great grandmother stating that the cottage was at Woodlands not far from East Garston.
Thanks
Marcus Caldwell

Received 28th August 2009

 

Hi,

I wondered whether anyone could tell me if there is either a local history club or researcher, or a Family History Group in the village?

I actually live in Thatcham but am researching the Waldron family at present (they are connected to my Kentish family the Woods) and I am having a problem sorting out certain relationships between the families of Lambourn and those of Shefford and East Garston. I know that several members of the family farmed in all three areas but in particular I can't trace the birth of Stephen Waldron circa 1780/1800, and what happened to a Stephen Annetts who was the sole beneficiary of Thomas Waldron. This Stephen was the son of Hannah Winter nee Annetts, the wife of the local Blacksmith in East Garston.

New paragraph below added 25th august 2009

Since posting my question I have found the marriage of 'Stephen Annats(sic) or Waldron' to Sarah Gooding at Gt Shefford on the 23rd July 1820. This proves my original thought that Stephen Annetts and Stephen Waldron Senior were one and the same person. When his natural father Thomas Waldron left him his sole heir, he changed his name.

Stephen Junior married his second cousin Mary Waldron of Eastridge, and they lived at Shefford Woodlands House. Stephen became a Director of Waldron & Wood Sheep Farming Ltd., and several of his sons emigrated to Patagonia to run the family. One of his grandsons (John Lovegrove Waldron) became the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in 1968. Mary's two brothers and her sister Elizabeth (Wood) were all involved in the Company.

My questions now are: Why is the street called The Waldrons so named? Is it on land that they owned or just a commemoration of the family? Are there any descendants of this family still living locally? I noticed while visiting your lovely village that the Old Forge (presumably the home of Hardwick and Hannah Winter, Stephen snr's mother and step father) is right on the edge of The Waldrons. Are there any descendants of this couple still local? Does anyone know what happened to them, as I couldn't find the grave of either.
Is there anyone who can tell me the history of Shefford Woodlands which looks more like an old estate rather than a village?

Sorry to ask so many questions, I hope to just prompt a memory or two.

Thank you
Sandy Wright (Mrs)


Received 12th and 25th of August 2009

 

Hi East Garston,

I am hoping to find any information regarding the Underwood Family that possibly came from East Garston Date of birth would have been approx 1825?, William Underwood was a Groom. Any possible information would be appreciated.

Thank you
Janice Thorne

Received 24th January2009