On This Day ... 31 December

1797     George Hall married Mary Haswell in Christ Church, Tynemouth, Northumberland, England. They were my 4 x great-grandparents.

1855     Hudson Wilkinson married Eleanor Sheraton Hall at All Saints Church, Penshaw, Co Durham, England. Hudson was the son of Emerson Wilkinson and Jane Hudson.

1877     William Henry Darby was born at Freeman St, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. William was the son of William James Darby and Elizabeth Read and was my great-grandfather.

On This Day ... 30 December

1797     Richard Walker married Gwen Arthur (formerly Powell) in St Cynllo's Church, Nantmel, Radnorshire, Wales. Gwen was the daughter of John Powell and Mary Lloyd.

1847     Charles Milbank Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Ralph Milbank Hudson and Elizabeth Robson.

1881     David James Pugh was born at Tynddol Farm, Llanbadarnfynydd, Radnorshire, Wales. He was the son of Pryce Pugh and Mary Ann Pugh and was my great-grandfather

On This Day ... 29 December

1858     James Wise married Ann Todner at Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland, Co Durham, England. Ann was the daughter of William Henry Todner and Mary Caldcleugh.

1865     Clement Lamb married Margaret McKenzie at Lochton, Eccles, Berwickshire, Scotland. Clement was the son of Alexander Lamb and Mary Rathie.

1884     David Powell married Catherine Jane Lewis at St Cynllo, Nantmel, Radnorshire, Wales. David was the son of David Powell and Jane Thomas.

On This Day ... 28 December

1822     William Thomas Haddock was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of William Haddock and Mary Hudson.

1838     Thomas Hughes married Ann Morgan at Eglwys Newydd, Cardiganshire, Wales. They were my 3 x great-grandparents.

1855     Jonathan Pugh married Jane Jones at St Garmon's Church, St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales. Jonathan was the son of Josiah Kinsey Pugh and Sarah Price.

On This Day ... 27 December

1788     Thomas Hood married Mary Robson in St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. They were my 4 x great-grandparents.

1808     William Lees married Priscilla Read at St Peter's Church, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England.

1892     Richard Wilson Hudson was born in West Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Robert Hunter Hudson and Margaret Mossom.

On This Day ... 26 December

1800     Joseph Whitehouse married Ann Hobdey at St Peter & St Paul, Aston, Warwickshire, England. Ann was my 4 x great-grandmother.

1855     Alfred George Milbanke Hudson was born in East Boldon, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Ralph Milbank Hudson and Elizabeth Robson.

1868     Francis Bulmer married Elizabeth Horsley at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. Francis was the son of Thornton Bulmer and Ann Horsley.

On This Day ... 25 December

The following events occurred on Christmas Day...

1785     Thomas Hood married Mary Harrison at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. Thomas was my 4 x great-grandfather.

1895     John Joseph Coulson married Isabella Lamb at St Silas' Church, Byker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England. Isabella was the daughter of John Lamb and Margaret Gerrard.

1899     Dorothy Christine Denton was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She was the daughter of Thomas James Denton and Charlotte Pugh.

On This Day ... 24 December

1830     Ralph Brown married Mary Hall at St Michael's Church, Houghton-le-Spring, Co Durham, England.  Ralph and Mary were my 3 x great-grandparents.

1844     Josiah Pugh married his brother's widow Margaret (formerly Kinsey) at the Baptists New Chapel, Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire, Wales. Josiah was the son of Josiah Kinsey Pugh and Sarah Price.

1868     Margaret Mossom was born in Wells Yard, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Wilson Mossom and Margaret Horsley and was my great-grandmother.

On This Day ... 23 December

1834     Thomas Dalrymple married Mary Eleanor Haddock in St Michael's Church, Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham, England. Mary was the daughter of William Haddock and Mary Hudson.

1854     Thomas Henzell Rutherford married Elizabeth Sterling in St Michael's Church, Wark, Northumberland, England. Elizabeth was the daughter of George Sterling and Isabel Makepeace.

1893     Thomas Emmerson married Dorothy Jane Mossom in Holy Trinity Church, Throston, Co Durham, England. Dorothy was the daughter of Wilson Mossom and Margaret Horsley.

On This Day ... 22 December

1816     Cuthbert Coulson married Margaret Bulmer at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. Cuthbert was the son of Thomas Coulson and Isabella Bulmer.

1858     Francis Hastings married Eleanor Tate (formerly Mossom) in st Hilda's Church, Hartlepool. Eleanor was the daughter of John Heighington and Ellen Mossom.

1874     Charles Hooper married Mary Horsley at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. Mary was the daughter of George Horsley and Margaret Hood.

On This Day ... 21 December

1841     Robert Revely Halliday died in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was 24 years old, and was the son of John Halliday and Jane Hudson.

1844     George Winlow Lindars Hudson was born in Frederic Street, Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of George Winlow Hudson and Elizabeth Hughes.

On This Day ... 20 December

1788     Thomas Pattison married Elizabeth Burrell at St Andrew's Church, Lamesley, Co Durham, England. They were my 4 x great-grandparents.

1789     William Wren married Rachel Maugham at St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham, England.

1859     Pryce Pugh was born at Hollies Farm, Newtown, Montgomeryshire, Wales. He was the son of James Pugh and Mary Ann Jones, and was my great-great-grandfather.

On This Day ... 19 December

1840     Edward Ridley married Eleanor Todner at St Mary and St Cuthbert's Church, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, England.

1859     James Johnston married Mary Lamb in Kelso, Roxburghshire, Scotland. Mary was the daughter of Alexander Lamb and Mary Rathie.

1874     Ralph Brown married Jane Ann Hall at St Mary the Virgin Church, Longframlington, Northumberland, England. Ralph was the son of Ralph Brown and Mary Hall.

On This Day ... 18 December

1770     Robert Kirkley married Mary Wren at St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham, England.

1789     Ralph Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Richard Hudson and Patience Todner. 

1902     Elizabeth Pugh died in Uxbridge Township, Ontario County, Ontario, Canada. She was 61 years old.

On This Day ... 17 December

1754     Philip Ward married Jane Horsley at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.  Jane was the daughter of George Horsley and Mary Wilkinson.

1821     Robert Wren married Jane Tennant at All Saints Church, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England.

On This Day ... 16 December

1775     Hugh Pugh married Elizabeth Richards at Llansanffraid Cwymdeuddwr, Radnorshire, Wales. They were my 5 x great-grandparents.

1851     Richard Haddock died at 5 Lambton St, Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the two year old son of Richard Haddock and Mary Nuddleston.

On This Day ... 15 December

1905     William Pattison died in Longframlington, Northumberland, England.  He was 78 years old and was my great-great-grandfather.

1996     Phyllis Afonwy Darby nee Pugh died in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. Phyl was 80 years old and was my grandmother.

On This Day ... 14 December

1838     William Whitehouse was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Thomas Joseph and Elizabeth Whitehouse.

1921     Elizabeth Darby nee Read died in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She was 67 years old and was my great-great-grandmother.

On This Day ... 13 December

1764     Lancelot Hudson married Elizabeth Wardell at St Bartholomew's Church, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, England. They were my 4 x great-grandparents.

1827     Thomas Kerss was born in Gateshead, Co Durham, England. He was the son of John Kerss and Grace Logan.

1879     Pryce Pugh married Mary Ann Pugh at St Padarn's Church, Llanbadarnfynydd, Radnorshire, Wales. They were my great-great-grandparents.

On This Day ... 12 December

1832     George De Roscoe Haywood was born in Staffordshire, England. He was the son of Samuel Haywood and Mary Ann Hazell.

1893     David W Hancock married Flora Hannah Gibson at West Weber, Weber, Utah, USA. Flora was the daughter of Wheatley Gibson and Selena England.

1900     John Daniel McKay married Alice Jane Pugh at Chatham, Kent, Ontario, Canada.  Alice was the daughter of Edward W Pugh and Ann Linton.

On This Day ... 11 December

1811     Thomas Taylor Lees was born in Willenhall, Staffordshire, England. He was the son of William Lees and Priscilla Read.

1812     Emma Hobday was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She was the daughter of Thomas Hobday and Rebecca Low.

1836     John Tulip married Elizabeth Sterling at St John's Church, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England. Elizabeth was the daughter of George Sterling and Isabel Makepeace.

On This Day ... 10 December

1877     William Lewis married Mary Rebecca Morrison in Kincardine, Ontario, Canada.

1886     Edwin Howard Turner was born in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. He was the son of David Sylvester Turner and Eliza Elvina White.

1908     Jedediah William Pidcock married Dora Marinda Moyes at Ogden, Weber, Utah, USA.

On This Day ... 9 December

1813     Ralph Milbank Hudson was born in William St, Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Ralph Hudson and Weltkin Winlow.

1942     Mary Elizabeth O'Day, nee Lamb, died in Aberdeen, Greys Harbor, Washington, USA. She was the wife of Thomas O'Day and the daughter of John Lamb and Margaret Gerrard.

1977     Mary Myfanwy Gwenllian Jones nee Pugh died at Talgarth, Powys, Wales. Gwen was the daughter of David James Pugh and Delilah Jane Hughes.

On This Day ... 8 December

1797     George Horsley was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. He was the son of George Horsley and Margaret Herring, and was my 3 x great-grandfather.

1844     Henry Darby was born in Freeman St, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Henry Darby and Ellen Haywood.

1886     David Powell died at Henrhiew Farm, St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales. He was 76 years old and was my 3 x great-grandfather

On This Day ... 7 December

1738     Thomas Wren married Mary Oliver at St Mary and St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham, England.

1755     John Horsley married Susanna Davison at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham.

1811     Elizabeth Hughes was born in Church St, Spitalfields, London, England. She was the daughter of Thomas Hughes and Maria Horne, and she grew up to marry George Winlow Hudson.

On This Day ... 6 December

1863     Christopher Thomas Pugh married Mary Anne Bateman at St George's Church, Camberwell, Surrey, England. They were my great-great-grandparents.

1896     Ralph Frederick Richard Becher was born in County Cork, Ireland. He was the son of Harry Becher and Zoe Louisa Hudson.

On This Day ... 5 December

1856     David Pugh married Mary Williams at the Adullam Chapel, Llanbedr, Radnorshire, Wales. They were my 3 x great-grandparents.

1916     My grandmother, Phyllis Afonwy Pugh was born in Rhayader, Radnorshire, Wales. She was the daughter of David James Pugh and Delilah Hughes.

On This Day ... 4 December

1614     George Sewell married Phillis Richeson at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. George was my 10 x great-grandfather.

1805     Jane Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of William Hudson and Ann Bell.

1863     Alice Read was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She was the daughter of Silvester Read and Ann Terry.

1887     Margaret Mossom nee Horsley died in Hartlepool, Co Durham. She was 55 years old and was my great-great-grandmother.

On This Day ... 3 December

1798     Jane Hood was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of William Hood and Alice Shepherd.

1840     Frances Hunter Hudson died at Minorca, Sunderland, Co Durham, England. Frances was two months old and was the first daughter of George Hudson and Catherine Kerss.

1881     Henry Pugh married Elizabeth Charlotte Hamer at St Padarn's Church, Llanbadarnfynydd, Radnorshire, Wales. Henry was the son of David Pugh and Mary Williams.

On This Day ... 2 December

1757     Robert Rowntry married Anne Coulson at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

1886     Martha Pugh nee Jones died at Cwmderw Farm, Llananno, Radnorshire, Wales. She was 54 years old.

1891     Frederick Albert Darby was born at 17 Freeman Street in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of William James Darby and Elizabeth Read.

On This Day ... 1 December

1792     George Coulson was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Robert Coulson and Barbara Smelt.

1833     Silvester Read married Isabella Child at St Bartholomew's Church, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. They were my 3 x great-grandparents.

1949     Martha Anne (Pattison) (Lamb) Clark died at home at 3 Fountain Head Bank, Seaton Sluice, Northumberland, England. She was 80 years old and was my great-grandmother.

On This Day ... 30 November

1870     Cecil Percy was born in Uxbridge Township, Ontario, Canada. He was the son of James Percy and Sarah Pugh.

1826     Hugh Ellis married Catherine Hobday at St Peter and St Paul Church, Aston, Warwickshire, England.

1761     Thomas Wren married Margaret Ward at St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham, England.

On This Day ... 29 November

1901     Annie Aveline McKay was born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of John Daniel McKay and Alice Jane Pugh.

1847     Mary Hudson nee Todner died in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. Mary was 83 years old and was the widow of Thomas Hudson.

On This Day ... 28 November

1691     William Thew married Margaret Thompson in Alnwick, Northumberland, England. They are my 6 x great-grandparents.

1836     Jane Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Henry Hudson and Margaret Sims.

1845     Henry Stradford Halliday died in East Street, Sunderland. He was only six months old and was the son of Lancelot Hudson Halliday and Margaret Nixon. Henry's two year old sister Margaret died two days later and the two were buried together.

On This Day ... 27 November

1806     Jane Mushen nee Todner died in Monkwearmouth, Co Durham, England.  She was 47 years old and was the daughter of Ralph Todner and Mary Dunn.

1901     Walter William Cambier married Agnes Morgan at Christ Church, Sunderland, Co Durham. Walter was the son of William Alfred Cambier and Mary Elizabeth Hudson.

On This Day ... 26 November

1836     Anne Pugh died at Brondrefawr Farm, St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales. She was 3 months old, and was the daughter of Stephen Pugh and his wife Sarah.

1902     Frank Michell Cooper married Mary Maud Ward at Balsam, Ontario, Canada.  Mary was the daughter of Richard Ward and Elizabeth Evans.

On This Day ... 25 November

1816     Thomas Mossom married Ellen Wilson at St Mary's Church, Richmond, Yorkshire, England. Ellen was my 3 x great-grandmother.

1830     Henry William Twist was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of James and Maria Twist.

1860     Isabella Read was born in Birmingham. She was the only child of Sylvester Read and Sarah Gray.

On This Day ... 24 November

1756     John Wren married Jane Aynesley at Hexham, Northumberland, England. John was the son of William Wren and Margaret Drydon.

1812     Dansy Hawkins Garrington was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Thomas Hawkins Garrington and Elizabeth Hudson.

1842     Stephen White Rackley married Jane Halliday at St Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, Co Durham, England.

On This Day ... 23 November

1828     William Coulson married Margaret Pounder in St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. Exactly twelve years later, following Margaret's death, he married Mary Cowley in the same church.

1889     Peter Johnston married Isabella Lamb at the Register Office, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England. Isabella was the daughter of John Lamb and Margaret Gerrard.

1946     Matthew Gray married Catherine Hudson at the Register Office, West Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. Catherine was the daughter of Robert Hunter Hudson and Margaret Mossom.

On This Day ... 22 November

1831     Richard Horsley married Isabella Johnson at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

1906     Elsie Cameron was born in Longframlington, Northumberland, England. She was the daughter of John Cameron and Jane Ann Straughan.

1973     David Colvin Pugh died in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, England. He was 47 years old, and was my great-uncle.

On This Day ... 21 November

1798     John Lamb married Elizabeth Munro in Kelso, Roxburghshire, Scotland. They were my 4 x great-grandparents.

1804     Robert Yeal was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. He was the son of William Yeal and Mary Horsley.

On This Day ... 20 November

1786     Matthew Wilson married Jane Richardson at St Agatha's Church, Easby, Yorkshire, England. They were my 4 x great-grandparents.

1842     Charles Darby was born in Freeman St, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Henry Darby and Ellen Haywood.

1866     Phineas Pugh married Elizabeth Lewis at the Baptist Chapel, Bwlch-y-Sarnau, Radnorshire, Wales.

On This Day ... 19 November

1805     George Leeming was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. He was the son of John Leeming and Mary Huntridge.

1826     John Hall married Margaret Maughan in St Michael's Church, Houghton-le-Spring, Co Durham.

1832     John Miller married Margaret Hudson at Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland, Co Durham. Margaret was the daughter of William Hudson and Ann Bell.

On This Day ... 18 November

1815     Jane Wallace was born in the Low Street, Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Dent Wallace and Margaret Hudson.

1881     John Powell married Mary Powell at St Garmon's Church, St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales.

On This Day ... 17 November

1846     George Hudson was born in Minorca, Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of William Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor.

1860     Florence Septima Hudson was born in The Cedars, Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Ralph Milbank Hudson and Elizabeth Robson.

1873     Mary Davison Pearson was born in Middleton, West Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of William Davison Pearson and Elizabeth Hudson.

Wordless Wednesday - Harry Hudson

This is my great-uncle Harry Hudson, a picture taken when he was serving in the Horseguards in the 1920s. Harry left England shortly after leaving the army, and spent most of his life living in Italy (and France and Germany and Switzerland...).  This bad copy is the only image I had of him until last week, when I made contact with Harry's only son Moritz. So now I have a new cousin, and several more photographs, and a new story to tell sometime...

On This Day ... 16 November

1879     Martha Jones nee Bowen died in Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, Wales. She was 66 years old and was my 4 x great-grandmother.

1896     Leonard Mould Todner was born in Ryhope, Co Durham, England. He was the son of William Todner and Susannah Hope.

1854     Joseph Hood married Elizabeth Sewell at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

On This Day ... 15 November

1829     George Horsley married Margaret Hood at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. They were my 3 x great-grandparents.

1862     Henry Pugh died in Llandilo Graban, Radnorshire, Wales. He was 87 years old and was my 4 x great-grandfather.

On This Day ... 14 November

1835     Emma Hudson was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. She was the daughter of Thomas Hudson and Eleanor Nevison.

1788     William Horsley married Mary Hunter at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

On This Day ... 13 November

1718     Joshua Hood married Jane Dixon at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. They were my 6 x great-grandparents.

1852     Thomas Bowen died at Mochdre, Montgomeryshire, Wales. He was 79 years old and was my 5 x great-grandfather.

1854     Matthew Jones died also at Mochdre. He was 85 years old, and was my 5 x great-grandfather.

1917     William Henry Darby died at Ypres, Belgium. He was a Corporal in the Canadian Military Police and was my great-grandfather.

On This Day ... 12 November

1826     Thomas Hood married Ann Coulson at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

1902     John Hedges Becher Hudson died at Montpelier Terrace, Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was 4 days old and was the son of Alfred George Milbank Hudson and Amelia Maria Becher.

On This Day ... 11 November

1788     Robert Kerss was born in Gateshead, Co Durham, England. He was my great-great-great grandfather.

On This Day ... 10 November

1818     William Dixon married Jane Hudson at St Michael and All Angels Church, Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham, England. Jane was the daughter of Thomas Hudson and Mary Todner.

1907     Annie Hudson died of scarlet fever at the Port Sanitary Hospital in Throston, Co Durham, England. She was the four year old daughter of Robert Hunter Hudson and Margaret Mossom.

Wordless Wednesday - Dungarees

Peter Hudson, 1940 taken in Sandringham, Victoria, Australia

On This Day ... 9 November

1817     Thomas Robson married Ann Stothard in St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

1893     Annie Hilda Darby was born in Duddeston Row, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She was the daughter of William James Darby and Elizabeth Read.

On This Day ... 8 November

1753     James Richson married Dorothy Hood at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. Dorothy was the daughter of Joshua Hood and Jane Dixon.

1877     Catherine Hudson nee Kerss died at Sea Terrace, Middleton, West Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was 60 years old, and was my great-great-grandmother.

1902     Twins John Hedges Becher Hudson and Lucinda Elizabeth Hudson were born in Montpelier Terrace, Sunderland, Co Durham. They were the children of Alfred George Milbanke Hudson and Amelia Maria Becher.

On This Day ... 7 November

1800     Thomas Wren married Margaret Tinmouth at St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham, England.

1802     Patience Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Richard Hudson and Patience Todner.

1810     Thomas William Garrington was born in Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham. He was the son of Thomas Hawkins Garrington and Elizabeth Hudson.

On This Day ... 6 November

1809     George Winlow Hudson was born in Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Ralph Hudson and Weltkin Winlow.

1834     Lancelot Hudson Halliday married Margaret Nixon at St Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, Co Durham, England.

1849     Elizabeth Robson was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham. She was the daughter of Mills Robson and Elizabeth Leeming.

On This Day ... 5 November

1802     Dorothy Hood was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Thomas Hood and Mary Robson. 

1820     George Horsley married his first wife Sarah Watt in St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool. George was my 3 x great-grandfather.

1926     Fanny Hudson nee Bathurst died in Ealing, London, England. She was the widow of George Winlow Lindars Hudson.

On This Day ... 4 November

1802     Samuel Kerss died in Gateshead, Co Durham, England. He was 18 months old, and was the son of Alexander Kerss and Catherine Errington.

1908     Henry Wilkinson married Annie Francis Dodgson in Dereham, Ontario, Canada.

On This Day ... 3 November

1763     John Robson married Jane Coulson at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. They were my 5 x great-grandparents.

1909     David James Pugh married Delilah Jane Hughes at the Maes Chapel, Rhayader, Radnorshire, Wales. They were my great-grandparents.

1928     Mary Ann Pugh nee Bateman died at 33 Sun Street West, Birmingham, Warwickshire. She was 85 years old and was my great-great-grandmother.

Wordless Wednesday - Hong Kong

Bill Hudson, about 1930 in Hong Kong

On This Day ... 2 November

1725     Ralph Watt married Elizabeth Davison at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. They were my 6 x great-grandparents.

1848     Ralph Hudson married Martha Williamson at St Michael's Church, Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham, England. Ralph was the son of Richard Hudson and Patience Todner, and this was his third marriage.

1887     Thomas Walter Hughes was born in St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales. He was the son of Morgan Hughes and Jane Eliza Powell.

On This Day ... 1 November

1802     Margaret Barkas was born at Redhouse Farm, Jarrow-on-Tyne, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of John Barkas and Mary Todner.

1808     Matthew Horsley was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. He was the son of John Horsley and Margaret Coulson.

1840     John Parkin Campbell married Mary Todner in St Mary & St Cuthbert's Church, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham. Mary was the daughter of Richard Todner and Eleanor Rutherford.

On This Day ... 31 October

1803     Thomas Johnson was born in Wolsingham, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Ralph Johnson and Hannah Wren.

1826     Lancelot Dixon was born in Derwent St, Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham, England. He was the son of William Dixon and Jane Hudson.

1852     Ann Darby, nee Hobdey, died at 17 Freeman St, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She was 75 years old and was my 4 x great-grandmother.

On This Day ... 30 October

1795     James Johnson was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. He was the son of James Johnson and Ann Coulson.

1852     Francis Turner Colling died, aged 3 months, at Bank Street, Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of William Colling and Jane Turner.

1922     Jane Eliza Hughes nee Powell died at The Neuddu Temperance Hotel, Builth Wells, Breconshire, Wales. She was 68 years old and was my great-great-grandmother.

On This Day ... 29 October

1824     Alexander Kerss was born at Monkwearmouth Shore, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Robert Kerss and Frances Hunter.

1836     Ann Whitehouse was born in Sherlock St, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Whitehouse.

1884     Ellen Rathie Lamb was born at 256 Parker St, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England. She was the daughter of John Lamb and Margaret Gerrard.

John Powell and Jane Owens

John Powell was born in 1762 in the village of Nantmel, Radnorshire, Wales. He was baptised in St Cynllo's Church, Nantmel on 4 May 1762.

In 1784, John's father (also John Powell) died, and John, as the only son, inherited half of his father's estate, which presumably included the farm business. The other half was inherited by his mother.

On 18 June 1792 he married Jane Owens at St Cynllo's Church. Jane was born in 1772 at Doledod farm in the parish of St Harmon, and baptised at St Garmon's Church in St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales on 21 June 1772.

The couple had 7 children, all born in Nantmel:

John Powell 1793 - ??

Elizabeth Powell 1795 - ??

Thomas Powell 1797 - 1831

Meredith Powell 1799 - 1882

Edward Powell 1800 - 1874

Gwen Powell 1802 - 1870

David Powell 1810 - 1886

John died in May 1837, at the age of 75 and was buried at St Cynllo's Church in Nantmel. His will provided for his widow and children, while leaving the bulk of the property to the three youngest sons who were still living with the family.

Jane survived her husband by several years. On the 1841 and 1851 censuses she is shown living at Gilfach farm, Nantmel, with her sons Meredith and David Powell. She eventually died at age 80 on 3 April 1852, and was buried with her husband at St Cynllo's Church.

On This Day ... 28 October

1823     Richard Hudson Halliday was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of John Halliday and Jane Hudson.

1839     George Hudson married Catherine Kerss at Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland, Co Durham, England. They were my great-great-grandparents.

1920     Morgan Hughes died at The Neuddu Temperance Hotel in Builth Wells, Breconshire, Wales. He was 67 years old and was my great-great-grandfather.

On This Day ... 27 October

1861     Elizabeth Annie Dixon was born in Heaton, Cheshire, England. She was the daughter of William Dixon and Lucy Jane Banks.

1866     Charles Darby died of phthisis (tuberculosis) in Aston, Warwickshire, England. He was the 23 year old son of Henry Darby and Ellen Haywood.

1884     Edwin Walter Evans married Amelia Gerow at Claremont, Ontario, Canada.  Edwin was the son of James Evans and Sarah Pugh.

Wordless Wednesday - Phyllis Pugh

Phyllis Pugh, picture from early 1930s.

On This Day ... 26 October

1815     Ralph Hudson married Mary Heightley at Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland, Co Durham, England. Ralph was the son of Richard Hudson and Patience Todner.

On This Day ... 25 October

1800     William Young married Margaret Hudson at St Michael and All Angels Church, Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham, England.

1824     William Onions was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of John Onions and Hannah Cooper.

1882     Morgan Hughes married Jane Eliza Powell at the Maes Chapel in Rhayader, Radnorshire, Wales. They are my great-great-grandparents.

On This Day ... 24 October

1681     Thomas Wren married Rebekah Wilson at St Mary and St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham, England. They were my 7 x great-grandparents.

1798     Matthew Horsley was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Matthew Horsley and Mary Pounder.

1928     Clement Lamb died in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was 47 years old, and was the son of John Lamb and Margaret Gerrard.

On This Day ... 23 October

1762     Robert Errington married Mary Barras at St Andrew's Church, Lamesley, Co Durham, England. They were my 5 x great-grandparents.

1812     John Robson died in Hartlepool, Co Durham.  He was 75 years old and was my 5 x great-grandfather.

1879     Ellen Isabella Darby was born at 226 Cooksey Road, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She was the daughter of William James Darby and Elizabeth Read.

On This Day ... 22 October

1811     Eleanor Leeming was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of John Leeming and Mary Huntridge.

1901     John E Hawkings married Laura Ethelda Pugh at Pickering, Ontario, Canada.

1826     Thomas Horsley married Jane Hunter at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool.

1935      My father, Peter Hudson, was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England.

Morgan Morgan and Catherine Rees

Morgan Morgan was born in around 1782, probably in Cardiganshire, Wales.  On 31 May 1805 he married Catherine Rees, also born around 1782, at Eglwys Newydd in Llanfihangel y Creuddyn, Cardiganshire, Wales.

The couple had six children that I know of:

Mary Morgan b1808
Thomas Morgan b1811
John Morgan b1813
Ann Morgan 1815-1904
Elinor Morgan b1819
Morgan Morgan b1822

All the children were born at Tynybryn Farm in Llanfihangel y Creuddyn and baptised at Eglwys Newydd.

Morgan died at age 55, in March 1837, and was buried at Eglwys Newydd. His widow survived him by 8 years, dying in June 1845.

On This Day ... 21 October

1797     Margaret Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Lancelot Hudson and Jane Henderson.

1828     John Pugh married Charlotte Harrison at St Philip's Church, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.  They were my 3 x great-grandparents.

1857     Dent Wallace married Mary Jane Atkinson at St Michael's Church, Sunderland, Co Durham. Dent was the son of Margaret Hudson (above) and Dent Wallace.

On This Day ... 20 October

1822     Robert Horsley married his second cousin Elizabeth Herring Horsley at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.  Elizabeth was the daughter of George Horsley and Margaret Herring.

1831     Alfred Onions was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Joseph Onions and Jane Green.

1841     George Winlow Hudson married Elizabeth Hughes at St Peter and St Paul's Church, Milton by Gravesend, Kent, England.

Wordless Wednesday - the Lamb family

Alexander Lamb married Martha Pattison on 19 October 1896. This photo is from about 9 years later with their only daughter Margaret.

On This Day ... 19 October

1803     Elizabeth Young was born in Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of William Young and Margaret Hudson.

1892     George Winlow Lindars Hudson married Fanny Bathurst at St John's Church, Hampstead, London, England.

1896     Alexander Lamb married Martha Ann Pattison at Brinkburn Priory, Northumberland, England.  They were my great-grandparents.


and a happy birthday to my nephew Niall.

On This Day ... 18 October

1640     John Sewell married Elizabeth Gudgon at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. John was my 9 x great-grandfather.

1832     Margaret Isabella Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham.  She was the daughter of Henry Hudson and Margaret Sims.

1861     John Pugh married Elizabeth Hughes at St Garmon's Church, St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales. Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas Hughes and Ann Morgan.

Amanuensis Monday - letter from Bill Hudson to Peggy October 14th 1945

My grandfather Bill Hudson worked as a prison officer in Hong Kong from 1921 to 1941. He was still in Hong Kong in December of 1941 when the Japanese invaded and occupied the colony. My grandmother Peg and my father Peter had been evacuated to Australia in July 1940. Peg kept the last couple of letters Bill wrote from Hong Kong prior to the Japanese invasion, along with the letters he wrote immediately after liberation.

The last letter was mailed from Aden, one of several ports of call after leaving Hong Kong. Following liberation it took several increasingly frustrating weeks to get the internees out of Hong Kong and on the way home. This letter was written in Aden but posted 4 days later from Marseilles.



Passenger for SS Empress of Australia


Bill Hudson, 
Chateau D'if
Marseilles
France




Oct 10, 45
Aden


Sweethearts,


Wasting time here, we don't seem to be taking on anything, in the way of oil or water, all I have seen come on board since we arrived at 11 am, are ranks of all services and a few civilians, but the amount of launches with Navy, Air Force and Army personnel, has been one long stream all the time. Young Frith late of Billzy Point came on board, now a Squadron Leader, Air Force, his sister Irene is on board on her way Home to England.


I suppose and hope after the Red Sea it will get cooler, its not too bad on the deck here, but its terrible where we get our food on D Deck, its just like a furnace at times, with all Portholes closed.


The food here at first was wonderful to us, no fancy dishes, just soup, roast and sweet, but now it appears to taste all the same and everybody complaining it was only last week they put sauce and pickle (a little of each a week) on the table, and they are between 10 of us.


I understand we are getting double ration coupons when we land. I am also buying soap on board, I hear you can't get it back home, both washing and toilet, so I hope they don't make me pay duty on it, it will be too bad if I have to. I sent you 2 lbs of tea home from Colombo, duty will have to be paid on that, yet it won't arrive until after I do, I also have 1 lb with me, and we were told in Colombo that another lb was sent to the ship for every P of W and Internee and as I am allowed 2 lbs duty free, we are sure of a cup of good tea when I do get Home "Cooker Police"


They say we get Winter clothing at Port Said, wonder what it will be. I would look nice in Battle Dress and Bowler Hat. Don't envy me Peg, when measured the other day, chest 38", waist 31", how is that for slimming around the waist line, rice diet is fine to get ones weight down, of course you must leave out red meat, a little salt fish and Chinese vegetables, water spinach mostly. 


Everybody seems to be out sailing at present, small sailing boats with Europeans, &c are everywhere. Sitting in shade of one of the Ack Ack guns on the Boat Deck writing this, its quiet, and out of bounds to women and kids, they swarm the Promenade Deck like Bees, half castes, chinese and whites, all one big happy family, I don't think. Looks as though we are not sailing before tomorrow, Thursday seems to be our favourite day for sailing, as we left Manila, Singapore and Colombo on Thursday. This dammed old tub is only doing about 350 a day, yesterday at noon it was only 319. They say one of its Boilers has gone fute, I think they all have, by the speed we are doing. The Ship that arrived in Southampton the other day, had roast beef and yorkshire puddings well I expect I will be home in time to get some Xmas pudding, don't care much for Turkey!


All my love Dears, another 14 days should bring me nearer to you, and after 3 years and 8 months it is not long is it?


Love to Mother and Peter, hoping you can give him a swell birthday. Will post this at Port Said


All Love


Ever your


Bill
xxx

Bill finally arrived back in England on 27 October 1945, almost two months after liberation. 

On This Day ... 17 October

1799     Margaret Liddle was born in Felton, Northumberland, England. She was the daughter of Thomas Liddle and Jane Todner.

1827     Jane Ann Elliott was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of John Elliott and Elizabeth Hudson.

1869     Alexander Lamb was born at 42 Water Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. He was the son of John Lamb and Margaret Gerrard, and was my great-grandfather.

The Ancestors Geneameme

Geniaus has published a new Geneameme.


Things I have already done or found: bold face type
Things I would like to do or find: italicize (colour optional)
Things I haven’t done or found and don’t care to: plain type

Here's my list:


Can name my 16 great-great-grandparents
Can name over 50 direct ancestors (246 at last count)
Have photographs or portraits of my 8 great-grandparents
Have an ancestor who was married more than three times - I've found one ancestor (Robert Kerss) with 3 marriages, none with more.
Have an ancestor who was a bigamist - not that I'm aware of
Met all four of my grandparents - yes, but my grandfather died before my second birthday, so I don't remember him.
Met one or more of my great-grandparents - no, they all died before I was born.
Named a child after an ancestor
Bear an ancestor's given name/s
Have an ancestor from Great Britain or Ireland - virtually all of them
Have an ancestor from Asia
Have an ancestor from Continental Europe
Have an ancestor from Africa - my grandmother was born in South Africa, of English parents, and came to England at 2 years old. Technically from Africa, but not African.
Have an ancestor who was an agricultural labourer
Have an ancestor who had large land holdings - depends on your definition of large, but some of my farming ancestors owned land.
Have an ancestor who was a holy man - minister, priest, rabbi.  Not a direct ancestor, but a g-g-g-g-uncle was a Baptist minister who founded a chapel in Wales, on land gifted by his nephew
Have an ancestor who was a midwife - not to my knowledge.
Have an ancestor who was an author - not to my knowledge.
Have an ancestor with the surname Smith, Murphy or Jones - plenty of Jones ancestors, and one Smith
Have an ancestor with the surname Wong, Kim, Suzuki or Ng
Have an ancestor with a surname beginning with X
Have an ancestor with a forename beginning with Z - not an ancestor but a distant cousin Zoe Louisa Hudson (1859-1930)
Have an ancestor born on 25th December - again a distant cousin, Dorothy Christine Denton was born Christmas Day 1899.
Have an ancestor born on New Year's Day - no, but William Henry Darby was born New Year's Eve.
Have blue blood in your family lines - not that I've found so far
Have a parent who was born in a country different from my country of birth - no, both parents born in England like me.
Have a grandparent who was born in a country different from my country of birth - Margaret Lamb was born in South Africa, Norman Darby was born in Chicago, USA.
Can trace a direct family line back to the eighteenth century
Can trace a direct family line back to the seventeenth century or earlier - several to seventeenth, and one line to sixteenth.
Have seen copies of the signatures of some of my great-grandparents
Have ancestors who signed their marriage certificate with an X
Have a grandparent or earlier ancestor who went to university - not university, but Margaret Lamb graduated from a Teacher Training College. No other direct ancestors before my dad.
Have an ancestor who was convicted of a criminal offence - not that I've found
Have an ancestor who was a victim of crime - not that I've found
Have shared an ancestor's story online or in a magazine (Tell us where) Lots on this blog.
Have published a family history online or in print (Details please) - only if this blog counts.
Have visited an ancestor's home from the 19th or earlier centuries - found some nineteenth century Welsh farmhouses, but only visited the outside.
Still have an ancestor's home from the 19th or earlier centuries in the family - not sure. I think some of the Welsh farms are still in family hands
Have a  family bible from the 19th Century - sort of. Margaret Lamb's step-father Henry Clark bought a very large two volume bible in 1877 (it's got a leather plate inside) and it's now in my possession. It includes a note of the births of Henry, his wife Martha, Margaret and her descendants.
Have a pre-19th century family bible

On This Day ... 16 October

1917     John Ernest Meredith died of wounds inflicted during World War One. He was the 28 year old son of William Ernest Meredith and Elizabeth Davies.

On This Day ... 15 October

1826     Robert Kerss married Elizabeth Ridley (nee Bonner) at St Hilda's Church, South Shields, Co Durham, England. Robert was my g-g-g-grandfather, and this was his second marriage.

1836     Elizabeth Johnson was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of John Johnson and Margaret Horsley.

1889     Stephen Hugh Pugh married Caroline Louisa Gerrow at Uxbridge Township, Ontario, Canada.

Elizabeth Williams 1790-1845

Elizabeth Williams was born somewhere in Radnorshire, Wales in around 1790. I haven't yet been able to track down a record of her birth or baptism, so I don't know where she was born or who her parents were.

Elizabeth was unmarried and living as a servant at Pencomin Farm in Llanbedr Painscastle parish, Radnorshire when she had her first child, Mary Williams, in late 1821.

On April 1, 1823, Elizabeth married Thomas Jones at Llanbedr Painscastle Church. He was twenty-five years older than her, and also born in Radnorshire, and was a farmer at Llanbedr Hall, in Llanbedr Painscastle.

The couple had four children together:

Rice Jones b1824
Eliza Jones b1826
Peter Jones b1828
Emma Jones 1830-1831

By 1841 the family had moved to Lower Pengarth Farm, still in Llanbedr. The census showed Thomas and Elizabeth with four children (including Elizabeth's daughter Mary, now known as Mary Jones).

Elizabeth died at Lower Pengarth farm in November 1845, and was buried at Llanbedr Church on 29 November. She was only 55 years old. Her husband Thomas survived her for six years, before his death at the age of 88 in March 1851.

On This Day ... 14 October

1764     William Coulson married Mary Coulson in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

1790     Robert Coulson was born in Hartlepool. He was the son of Robert Coulson and Barbara Smelt.

1891     Ralph Palliser Milbanke Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Ralph Milbank Hudson and Eliza Westropp Palliser.

On This Day ... 13 October

1800     Mary Wealand was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Thomas Wealand and Isabella Todner.

1912     Hannah Wideman, nee Pugh, died in Markham Township, Ontario, Canada. She was the wife of Christian Wideman.

Wordless Wednesday - a boy with his dog

My dad, Peter Hudson, with the first of many pet dogs

On This Day ... 12 October

1788     William Hood married Alice Shepherd at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

1812     Bella and George Sterling were born at Hayden Bridge in Northumberland, England, the twin children of George Sterling and Isabella Makepeace. Both survived infancy.

1889     Mary Louise Darby was born in Hoxton Old Town, London, England. She was the daughter of William James Darby and Elizabeth Read.

On This Day ... 11 October

1820     Elizabeth Mary Dixon was born at Derwent St, Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of William Dixon and Jane Hudson.

1880     Sarah Louise Middleton was born in Ontario Co, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Charles Middleton and Margaret Ann Pugh.

1916     Edgar Taylor Austin married Alice Beatrice Turner at Whitevale, Ontario, Canada.

Amanuensis Monday - letter from Bill Hudson to Peggy October 8th 1945

My grandfather Bill Hudson worked as a prison officer in Hong Kong from 1921 to 1941. He was still in Hong Kong in December of 1941 when the Japanese invaded and occupied the colony. My grandmother Peg and my father Peter had been evacuated to Australia in July 1940. Peg kept the last couple of letters Bill wrote from Hong Kong prior to the Japanese invasion, along with the letters he wrote immediately after liberation.

The last letter was mailed from Singapore, the second port of call after leaving Hong Kong. Following liberation it took several increasingly frustrating weeks to get the internees out of Hong Kong and on the way home. This letter was posted from Aden.


JW Hudson
Ex Internee, Stanley
Hong Kong
Passenger for SS Empress of Australia


At Sea, Oct 8th, Monday 1945


Darlings,


Aden is not far away, maybe tomorrow or maybe Wednesday, you never know what this damned old ship will do next, we actually  passed another ship this morning, and as Johnnie Purvis said at the time, "She must be nackered!" I believe she was. Weather is beautiful today, sea like glass, altho yesterday it was cold and miserable, fog and drizzle, but it cleared up during the afternoon, so I was glad to get on the boat deck, and get the sun. Last night Radio announced that the P & O S S Corfu was about to Dock in Southampton with the first P of W from the Far East, and to think she left Singapore about the same time as we left HK. 


Another ship left HK after us, a Glen Boat, and is well ahead of us, with little hopes of us ever catching up with her. Fitz and a crowd of others 250 in all, left HK 11 days after us, travelling on an Aircraft Carrier, they were in Colombo to greet us, all staying with private families, and having a wonderful. They will catch the next ship Home, so they may beat us. They wanted me to stay in Colombo to go thru an operation for Hernia, but the Home pull was too great, so I will have to have it seen to at Home. Was weighed yesterday, and only 143 lbs, I'm pitifully thin Peg, the fever I had at Singapore took it out of me, anyhow I am hoping to fill out a little by the time I see you. Hope you have received my letters to you, addressed to Australia, I had a cable from "PULLIN" saying you had left in April. How is Mother... and Peter, it won't be long now Dear, so cheer up.


Afraid I won't be able to get Home for Peter's birthday, and I don't think this ship is allowed to send any messages out, so please give him Daddy's fondest love with a big hug, I am and always have been thinking of you Dears, during hard times, they could not take my thoughts of you away.


I hear Barrett and Jillott are back in HK, Puggle refused to go, I also hear that Merriman is on his way back. Pig Harrison is on board, he has yet to speak to me, but that does not worry me, because I have seen the last of him as a Boss.


Willcocks is also on board, he often has a chat, asking after the others. Your piano was still in the Gaol, also some of your carpets, but all badly burnt with Cigarettes, the Nips have no respect for anything belonging to us, I am surprised at the Piano being in such good condition.  Believe we get winter clothing at Port Said - that's a help. Don't know yet which Port we will disembark at, but it looks like Southampton is Lena still there? Sharks swimming by, there fins being quite distinct. A fellow was killed at Tweed Bay Beach by one, after we left. Ship can't go fast enough Peg, 


Love to all


Bill xxxxx

On This Day ... 10 October

1731     Ralph Coulson married Mary Shepherd in St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. They were my 6 x great-grandparents.

1782     Silvester Read married Sarah Read in St Peter's Church, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England.  They were my 5 x great-grandparents.

On This Day ... 9 October

1824     Francis Turner married Sarah Hudson at St Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, Co Durham, England.

1854     Jane Eliza Powell was born at Gilfach Farm, Nantmel, Radnorshire, Wales. She was the daughter of David Powell and Jane Thomas and was my great-great-grandmother.

1883     Ralph Milbank Hudson married Eliza Westropp Palliser at Christ Church, Sunderland, Co Durham, England.

On This Day ... 8 October

1799     Thomas Rowntree was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Robert Rowntree and Mary Hood.

1837     George Coulson married Elizabeth Cambridge at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool.

1849     Mary Coulson, nee Robson, died of cholera in Hartlepool. She was 81 years old and was my 4 x great-grandmother.

On This Day ... 7 October

1760     John Redhead married Ann Wren at St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham, England.

1810     Thomas Bowen married Jane Turner at All Saints Church, Mochdre, Montgomeryshire, Wales. They were my 5 x great-grandparents.

1903     John Bembridge married Hannah Cunningham at North Gwillimbury, Ontario, Canada. Hannah was the daughter of John Cunningham and Sarah Pugh.

On This Day ... 6 October

1846     William Gledden Hudson died at 28 Frederick St, Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham, England. He was the son of George Winlow Hudson and Elizabeth Hughes and was only a few months old.

1923     Thomas Hudson married Alice Pierce at All Saints Church, West Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. Thomas was the son of Robert Hunter Hudson and Margaret Mossom.

Henry Pugh 1775-1862 and Gwenllian Griffiths 1775-1836

Henry Pugh was born into a family of farmers in Llanbedr Painscastle in Radnorshire, Wales in May of 1775, and baptised at the local church on 26 May 1775.

He was only twenty when he married Gwenllian Griffiths in early May 1796. She was born in Llandilo Graban, the neighbouring parish to Llanbedr, in late 1775.

The couple were married for forty years, and spent that time farming in the parish of Llandilo Graban. They had a total of fifteen children together:

Henry Pugh  1797-1865
William Pugh 1798-1829
John Pugh 1799-1855
Thomas Pugh 1802-??
James Pugh 1803-1853
Mary Pugh 1804-??
David Pugh 1806-1877
Samuel Pugh 1809-1886
Ann Pugh 1810-??
Gwenny Pugh 1811-1829
Benjamin Pugh 1813-1813
Catherine Pugh 1815-??
Benjamin Pugh 1816-1818
Margaret Pugh 1818-??
Benjamin Pugh 1822-1822

Gwenllian died in August 1836, at the age of 61. She was buried with her infant children in St Teilo's Churchyard, Llandilo Graban. Henry survived her by over 25 years, before he eventually died at 87 years old at Penwern Farm, Llandilo Graban.

Wordless Wednesday - Trade Hall

Trade Hall, Rhayader, Radnorshire, about 1915. The shop was owned by DJ Pugh, and the flat above was the birthplace of three of his children.

On This Day ... 5 October

1816     Henry Darby was born in Meriden St, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Edward Darby and Ann Hobdey, and was my 3 x great-grandfather.

1846     Mary Elizabeth Hudson was born at 14 Tavistock Place, Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Ralph Milbank Hudson and Elizabeth Robson.

1874     Ellen Mossom, nee Wilson, died in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was my 3 x great-grandmother.

On This Day ... 4 October

1788     Mary Coulson was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Robert Coulson and Barbara Smelt.

1876     Ida Jane Pugh was born in Milverton, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of David Pugh and Mary E Meredith.

1898     William Thomas and Sarah Jane Pugh were married in St Padarn's Church, Llanbadarnfynydd, Radnorshire, Wales. Sarah was the daughter of James Pugh and Mary Ann Jones.

Amanuensis Monday - letter from Bill Hudson to Peggy September 22, 1945

My grandfather Bill Hudson worked as a prison officer in Hong Kong from 1921 to 1941. He was still in Hong Kong in December of 1941 when the Japanese invaded and occupied the colony. My grandmother Peg and my father Peter had been evacuated to Australia in July 1940. Peg kept the last couple of letters Bill wrote from Hong Kong prior to the Japanese invasion, along with the letters he wrote immediately after liberation.

The last letter was written from Manila, the first port of call after leaving Hong Kong. Following liberation it took several increasingly frustrating weeks to get the internees out of Hong Kong and on the way home. This letter was posted from Singapore.



JW Hudson
Passenger
Empress of Australia


At Sea 20.9.45


My Dears,


As last we have left Manila, after being there 9 days - the longest I have ever spent - waiting every day to sail fact being is that nobody knew anything about us and did not want to. We took over 1000 P of W Troops on, all who had been stationed in HK before the War, both regulars and volunteers, and I must say they are a fine body of men, they certainly don't look as if they have been starved, they say they have been working on the docks at Kobe, and stole all the food they wanted, then again they have had a wonderful time in Manila with the Yanks, wanting for nothing, even to have having been issued with all new clothing, all new, and when they came on board they looked more like Americans than British of course you only had to hear them talk to know who they were.


I am getting impatient Peg, this ship can't go fast enough, and comfort is nil, horrid hot troop decks in which one can't breathe, luckily we are allowed to sleep up on deck at nights, only trouble is that you must cart your bedding below every morning, still sweetheart I am coming Home. Apart from the Hospital Ships, we are the first batch to leave HK, but by all this stopping, we look like being the last Home, so roll on England and all that goes with it.


One of the Officers of Ship gave a talk on conditions in England, really My Dear it put the wind up me, so I do hope that things are getting back to normal, as I don't wish to return East again, I want to lay back and have a rest, first to talk alone with you, Mother and Peter, I don't think I could face a lot of friends calling every day, I want to be quiet, 3 1/2 years and now this Ship living in such close confinement with others, makes me hate my fellow Men, that's just how I feel l now, I could scream at times, Men talking, kids arguing, not a minute to oneselves. I am fed up with company. 


How is your Mother, I hope well, Peg, she has had a very trying time with all this worry. Troops are everywhere, they were given the Port side Promenade deck, yet they must come to the starboard side several times they have been ordered off, only to return, they are Bolshie and in a nasty mood, one would think that they carried all the burdens of the war, so we must leave it like that. I will add to this as are near Singapore. Have you had my other letters from Manila?


Saturday 22 Sept.


Afraid I am not in a very good mood this morning, what with the noise and the kids, added by a sore tummy you can imagine my feeling just weak. 


I only hope and pray that they drop us off at Singapore, this rabble here has killed all desire to hurry home, its bedlam with the lid off. Weather still holds well, I wish it would be rough, it might a crowd of these Wanchai Birds to their bunks - thus relieving the Troops from hanging around their necks. Last night our escort Deshayes left us, so we are on our own now. This is the first time this route has been used since the War. Due in Singapore tomorrow night - so I wonder what waits me there.


Get a nice hot bath ready, have not had that luxury since 1941. After a bath I am going to sleep for a week, I need rest. 


Expect you will be getting news of our whereabouts in the papers or over the wireless - it won't be long now Peg.


All love to all


Lovingly, Bill xxx

On This Day ... 3 October

1882     Jessie Hephzibah (Effie) Pugh was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She was the daughter of Christopher Thomas Pugh and Mary Ann Bateman, and was my great-grandmother.

1918     Ralph Palliser Milbanke Hudson married Annie Charleston Goninan at Hobkirk, Roxburgh, Scotland.

On This Day ... 2 October

1770     George Haswell married Ann Pringle at St Hilda's Church, South Shields, Co Durham, England. They were my 5 x great-grandparents.

1808     Henry Dawson married Anne Haddock nee Todner at St Cuthbert and St Mary, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, England.

1928     Albert Pugh died in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was 69 years old.

On This Day ... 1 October

1803     John Hood died in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. He was the three year old son of Thomas Hood and Mary Robson. 

1832     Clara Rebecca Hobday was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She was the daughter of John Hobday and Letitia Odams.

1880     David J Weir was born in Ontario, Canada. He was the son of Mungo Weir and Jane Pugh.

John Jones 1799-1881 and Martha Bowen 1813-1879

John Jones was born in Mochdre, Montgomeryshire, Wales in 1798 or 1799, and was baptised in All Saints Church, Mochdre on 27 January 1799.  He was the only son of Matthew and Keziah Jones, who were farmers.

On 20 June 1832, John married Martha Bowen at All Saints Church, Mochdre. Martha was a farmer's daughter - born in 1813 in Mochdre, baptised at All Saints on 8 May 1813. Her parents were Thomas Bowen and Jane Turner.

The couple lived in Mochdre for most of their married lives, farming first at Hendre Farm and then at The Hafod. They had several children:

Martha Jones 1832-1886
Mary Ann Jones 1834-1917
Jane Jones 1836-??
Elizabeth Jones 1838-??
John Jones 1841-??
Ann Catherine Jones 1846-1934
Sarah Lavinia Jones 1853-??

By 1871 John had retired from farming and was living in the Hendidly suburb of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, with Martha and their youngest daughter, Sarah.

Martha died on 16 November 1879 of chronic bronchitis, in Welshpool, Montgomeryshire. She was probably staying with daughter Sarah and her husband John Morgan. John moved to live with daughter Elizabeth and her husband Thomas Morris in Llandinam, Montgomeryshire, and was there for the census in 1881. Shortly after the census, in July 1881, John died.

On This Day ... 30 September

1804     Robinson Booth was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Robert Booth and Rebecca Robinson.

1825     Edward Whitehouse was born at Meriden Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Whitehouse.

1827     William Horsley married Mary Robinson at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

On This Day ... 29 September

1858     Silvester Read married Ann Allen (nee Terry) at Yardley Parish Church, Yardley, Worcestershire, England. Silvester was my 3 x great-grandfather.

1885     Harold Hughes was born in St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales. He was the son of Morgan Hughes and Jane Eliza Powell.

1928     Christopher Thomas Pugh died in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was 49 years old.

Wordless Wednesday - Jess at Ilfracombe

My great-aunt Jessie Darby, on holiday at Ilfracombe, probably late 1920s/early 1930s.

On This Day ... 28 September

1797     Elizabeth Rowntree was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Robert Rowntree and Mary Hood.

1912     Robert Hudson married Daisy Clarke at St Oswald's Church, West Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

1921     Richelieu Cleveland Pratt married Elva Mary Trow at Stratford, Ontario, Canada.

On This Day ... 27 September

1829     Esther Maria Onions was born in London, England, the daughter of John and Hannah Onions.

1832     Henry Cochrane was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Thomas Cochrane and Ann Allison.

Amanuensis Monday - letter from Bill Hudson to Peggy September 14, 1945

My grandfather Bill Hudson worked as a prison officer in Hong Kong from 1921 to 1941. He was still in Hong Kong in December of 1941 when the Japanese invaded and occupied the colony. My grandmother Peg and my father Peter had been evacuated to Australia in July 1940. Peg kept the last couple of letters Bill wrote from Hong Kong prior to the Japanese invasion, along with the letters he wrote immediately after liberation.

Most of the letters are long, so I'm serialising them. The last letter was written immediately after liberation on 30 August 1945 and described his time in the internment camp. Following liberation it took several increasingly frustrating weeks to get the internees out of Hong Kong and on the way home.


Manila, Monday 14. 9. 45


Dears
Have been four days and still no signs of sailing. I am fed up with it all, as it is far from comfortable seeing that we are travelling on the Troop Deck in the bowels of the ship away down on E Deck when we have our meals down there, you must undress and only wear a Fanduski or loin cloth even then the sweat pours out of you. Night time I slept on deck on the hard wood with only 2 blankets. They gave us hammocks to sleep in, only half of them have no rope to sling, also on the top deck there is no place to tie them to. The food is good, but any food would be good after 3 1/2 years of rice and Chinese vegetables.


I have so much to say my Dear, I do wish this damned ship would get a move on. I got your Red X letter the other day, so I definitely know that you are in England, so get plenty of coal in, as it is going to be cold for Willie, seeing that the last Christmas I spent in England was 1920. Only thing wrong with this ship is that it is dry - being a troop ship they did not carry any. As usual all the women have the Cabins - most of them being the Black and Tan Brigade, it certainly makes my blood boil, then after all the Military and Naval Officers left us on Thursday evening, their cabins when vacated were given to the aged in some cases, but mostly to the HK Taipans, its about time this class distinction stopped. I hope they don't count this as our leave, as they make us work on board, normally the troops did all the work, being now purely a troop ship, we draw food for our meals, then washing up the pots and pans afterwards, then sweeping out the mess deck. Others more fit do the recreation and reading rooms, at first we had to sweep the decks, but the crew are doing that now.


I listened to a talk on conditions in England last night, and I may say it put the wind up me, the price of things etc etc, think I will go back to HK. Before I left I told Norman I would not be returning, as I am well over pension age, Willoak who is on board with us, told me he would make me A.C.O. as from 1.1.42, but I must wait and see if that is going to be pensionable, if so it's Good Bye to HK.


It's a wonderful sight sitting here, over 600 ships are in the Bay and Harbour, guys here say 800 and 300 sunk here one can see scores of sunken craft, they are lying everywhere, the Yanks or Jap Airmen must have had a holiday here knocking them down. We are not allowed in the Town, from here all big buildings look alright, but they say the walled city is in ruins.


Rumours have it that we are not sailing before Wednesday, if so that means nearly a week here. We are getting lots of Red X stuff, cigs, towels, old dresses for Ladies, boots and slippers, soup, and of course the kids are always getting chocolate and other food. I would like to cut some of their throats, the noise they make, more so as most of them are Black and Tans, little B's.


The Boys who left as Volunteers and Regulars from HK are having a good time ashore. Beer, cigars, but no Dames we have them all here, yet I would sooner wait for you. I write on route, giving you some idea when and where we will land, hope its soon Peg, just dying to hold you in my arms, its been a hell of a situation for all of us, the fears of hell, not knowing what the next day would bring from those little maggots. 


Am putting on weight, and already despite the sweating here I have lost my haggard Stanley look, for 3 1/2 years rice and Chinese Veg, sometimes a little meat or salt fish, often starving, and pleased to eat anybody sour rice they could not eat, bread finished January 1944, then we made rice bread, but no yeast, so please Peg if you want to keep me home, don't give me a rice pudding!


All my love Sweetheart, Peter and Mother 


Always Bill.

On This Day ... 26 September

1768     William Perry married Mary Wincer in Lapley, Staffordshire, England. They were my 5 x great-grandparents.

1815     Alexander Lamb was born in Kelso, Roxburgh, Scotland. He was the son of John Lamb and Elizabeth Munro, and was my 3 x great-grandfather.

1834     Elizabeth Ann Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Henry Hudson and Margaret Sims.

On This Day ... 25 September

1800     Ann Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of William Hudson and Ann Bell.

1810     Matthew Horsley died in Hartlepool, Co Durham. He was 50 years old.

1876     Robert Burland Billinge married Beatrice Blakeney Dixon at St Hillary's Church, Wallasey, Cheshire, England.

On This Day ... 24 September

1794     John Horsley married Margaret Coulson at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

1907     Alexander Lamb died at 207 Glen Road, Bloemfontein, Orange River Colony, South Africa. He was 37 years old and was my great-grandfather.

1931     Miriam Pugh, widow of Thomas Pugh and also of Evan Ingram, died in Radnorshire, Wales. She was 86 years old.

Josiah Pugh and Sarah Price 1781-1852

Josiah Pugh was born in the parish of St Harmon in Radnorshire, Wales, in 1781, the third son of Hugh Pugh and Elizabeth Richards. Hugh was a farmer and both he and Josiah spent their entire lives living in the St Harmon area.

In 1805 Josiah married Sarah Price, who was born in St Harmon in 1784. At this time Josiah was working as a blacksmith in the neighbouring parish of Llananno.

By this time the Pugh family had converted to the Baptist Church and I think this is the last time that Josiah crops up in parish registers - makes it difficult to track people in this pre-census/registration era. The records of Baptist chapels haven't been preserved in the same way. Much of my information from here is based on the work of Ted Edwards, a distant cousin who visited farms in the St Harmon area immediately after the second world war, recording information from family Bibles to pull together a family tree of Hugh Pugh's descendants. His work is the basis of a number of family trees on Rootsweb, and is also the basis of much of this post. I've supplemented Ted's work with census, registration and burial records where appropriate.

Josiah and Sarah had 16 children:

Pryce Pugh 1806-1843
Sarah Pugh 1807-1877
Josiah Pugh 1809-1855
Thomas Pugh 1810-1851
Hugh Pugh 1812-1885
Stephen Pugh 1813-1872
Edward Pugh 1815-1855
Mary Pugh 1815-1896
Elizabeth Pugh 1817-1836
Miriam Pugh 1819-1905
Ann Pugh 1821-1892
David Pugh 1821-1887
James Pugh 1823-1901
John Pugh 1826-1893
William Pugh 1829-1852
Jonathan Pugh 1831-1909

By the time of the 1841 census, Josiah was farming at Cnych farm with several of his younger children. In 1851 they were still there, still farming, and now with some grandchildren along with the younger children.

Josiah died on 28 February 1852 at Cnych. Sarah survived him for just 4 days.

On This Day ... 23 September

1833     John Hunter Robinson married Ann Horsley at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. Ann was the daughter of George Horsley and Margaret Herring.

1847     Ophelia Gordon Dixon was born at Field House, Sunderland, Co Durham. She was the daughter of Hugh Dixon and Mary Corser.

1901     Mary Pugh (nee Williams) died at Tynddol Farm, Llanbadarnfynydd, Radnorshire, Wales. She was 80 years old and was my great-great-great grandmother.

On This Day ... 22 September

1803     Thomas Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Lancelot Hudson and Jane Henderson.

1822     Jane Dixon was born in Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham. She was the daughter of William Dixon and Jane Hudson.

1856     Bartholomew Huntridge married Mary Petty at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham.

Wordless Wednesday - Bill Hudson

Bill Hudson - undated picture, but probably late 1920s / early 1930s.

On This Day ... 21 September

1787     John Jones married Mary Powell at St Cynllo's Church, Nantmel, Radnorshire, Wales. Mary was the daughter of John Powell and Mary Lloyd.

1801     Gabriel Wren died at Wolsingham, Co Durham, England. He was 53 years old.

1808     George Gerrard was born in Barry, Angus, Scotland. He was the son of George Gerrard and Jannet Fyffe.

On This Day ... 20 September

1893     Hartland Thomas Pugh was born at Tynddol Farm, Llanbadarnfynydd, Radnorshire, Wales. He was the son of Henry Pugh and Elizabeth Charlotte Hamer.

1875     Ann Davison Pearson was born at Stockton Street, West Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of William Davison Pearson and Elizabeth Hudson.

Amanuensis Monday - letter from Bill Hudson to Peggy August 30, 1945

My grandfather Bill Hudson worked as a prison officer in Hong Kong from 1921 to 1941. He was still in Hong Kong in December of 1941 when the Japanese invaded and occupied the colony. My grandmother Peg and my father Peter had been evacuated to Australia in July 1940. Peg kept the last couple of letters Bill wrote from Hong Kong prior to the Japanese invasion, along with the letters he wrote immediately after liberation.

Most of the letters are long, so I'm going to serialise them over the next few weeks.

This is the letter written by Bill on the day Stanley Internment Camp was liberated by the British Navy.

Page 1 is here.

6.30 pm same day.  I have just returned from the Flag hoisting ceremony.  Admiral Harcourt came out here himself, although he landing at 12 the Japs asked 24 hours to decide, he gave them ½ hour to get out of the Dockyard, he then landed troops with tanks and after firing a few shots took command, I believe the Chinks waiting outside the Yard Gate with bamboos and knocking lumps off them.  Anyway he got here by 5.15 pm, and believe me Peg it was heartbreaking.  The bugle call - hoisting all Allied flags - lowering to half mast for the dead - the hoisting again - yes tears rolled down my cheeks - as it did to hundreds of others.  Later in the evening a Naval Shadwell of HMS Maidstone i/c of submarines gave us a thrilling talk of the doings of his submarines saying the Navy had often watched us through their periscopes.  The Admiral said he was here at record speed - knowing of the incidents that had happened to internees in Borneo and Burma so again we can thank the Lord we are alive, by them arriving in good time.  I understand there was lots of firing in Town last night, so we are just as well out here.  There seems to be some trouble with the Japs in handing over the gaol - marines are coming out to take it by force if necessary - we are standing by.  Still no news of your whereabouts - so I'll send this home - Sweethearts - all my love is yours - just waiting our reunion.  It won't be long Dear.

Ever and always, your Bill

JW Hudson.

On This Day ... 19 September

1824     Thomas Pugh was born in Radnorshire, Wales, the son of Hugh Pugh and Elizabeth Williams. With the rest of his family he emigrated to Canada in the 1840s.

1842     Mary Hudson nee Newton died in Sunderland, Co Durham, England.  She was a 39 year old widow and her death orphaned several small children.

On This Day ... 18 September

1815     Isabella Child was born at Navigation St in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She was the daughter of John Child and Susanna Shore and was my 3 x great-grandmother.

1859     Zoe Louisa Hudson was born at The Cedars, in the parish of Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Ralph Milbank Hudson and Elizabeth Robson.

1888     On her 29th birthday, Zoe Louisa Hudson married Harry Becher, the son of John Richard Hedges Becher and Lucinda Jane Elizabeth Hull, at St Mary's Church, Easington, Co Durham.

On This Day ... 17 September

1794     Alexander Kerss was born in Gateshead, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Alexander Kerss and Catherine Errington.

1838     George Hughes married Sarah Pugh at St Anno's Church, Llananno, Radnorshire, Wales. Sarah was the daughter of Josiah Kinsey Pugh and Sarah Price.

1970     Dora Coulson died in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada at the age of 70. Dora was the daughter of Isabella Lamb and John Joseph Coulson, and emigrated to the US (in 1905) then Canada (in 1910) with her parents.

Sarah Bateman 1795-??

In 1819 Sarah Bateman gave birth to her second illegitimate daughter, Harriet, my great-great-great-grandmother.

Way back when I was new at this genealogy thing, I'm almost certain I saw a reference on a website somewhere to a pregnant Miss Bateman being allowed to settle in the Derbyshire village of Winster in the 1790s - I suspect this is Sarah's mother, as Sarah was born around 1795 in Winster. I didn't know enough at the time to get a screengrab or save the webpage or even make a note, and I've been unable to find it again. I've also not yet found a baptism which would back this up (or not).

Whatever the circumstances of her birth, Sarah lived in a small corner of Derbyshire for all of her life. Her first daughter, Mary Ann, was born in Youlgreave in 1817. Harriet was born in 1819 but I'm not sure where - Harriet consistently reported her birthplace as Darley Dale, but she's not in the baptism register for that parish.

On 30 August 1824, Sarah married Samuel Milner in Youlgreave. Samuel, a widower who was 10 years older than Sarah, lived in the village of Darley Dale. Sarah moved to live with Samuel and they had six children together:

Richard Milner 1825-??
Samuel Milner 1827-??
Henry Milner 1830-??
George Edward Milner 1833-1919
Sarah Milner 1835-??
Elizabeth Milner 1838-??

By 1851 Sarah and Samuel were looking after Harriet's daughter Mary Ann, who later took Samuel's name. Samuel died in 1855. I haven't yet found when Sarah died, but I can't find her on the 1861 census.

If anyone knows anything about the Bateman ladies, I'd be grateful for any information.