Genealogy Chat

Extracted from site called 'Was your ancestor a Gypsy?' found by googling. Looks like a very informative site from the Romany & Traveller Family History Society. Surnames Most surnames used by Gypsies are also common in the 'Gorjer' or non-Gypsy population. The best known and most widespread Gypsy families include: Boswell, Buckland, Faa, Hearn, Heron, Lee, Lovell, Smith, Wood, Young. RW

Jonathan, hi. It wouldnt surprise me if there was gypsy blood in the LEE family. My wifes granddparents were LEE and in his lifetime from 1848 to 1889 THOMAS her g/grandfather travelled all over the UK, born in MANCHESTER, went to live in BIRSTALL YORKSHIRE, then LANCASTER, then LONDON where he married his wife in 1873, then on to SCOTLAND, a couple of years later to SALFORD, then LPOOL, then back to MANCHESTER, then off to SOUTH WALES, then finally to LPOOL where he died. He was all his life in the AUCTIONEERS business and I think he travelled where the work was. Somne of his brothers were the same, must have had gypsy blood in them. I dont recognise any of the names you gave but then there were lots of LEE families in LANCASHIRE and CHESHIRE, they bred like rabbits, although they werent short of a few bob, pics I have of them tell you that. TED

Hi Yes, Lee is a Romany Gypsy name. I have been researching my Lee gypsies for quite a few years now. Mine come from Kent and East London (West Ham) They tended to marry their cousins. They rarely ever registered a birth, seldom registered a marriage, usually registered a death, but ALWAYS baptised their children. They are usually in the census's, living in 'tents' or 'caravans' with occupations like Hawker, Pegmaker, Basket maker, Chair bottomer. They usually did seasonal work on farms like fruit-picking, then the occupation is ag-lab, or if it was winter they would just take up casual work wherever they were camping, so then the occupation would be labourer. I only have my main 'Lee' line on this tree, but on my computer I have 751 Lee descendants & 261 spouses, down through eleven generations. Unfortunatly, I wouldn't be able to help you much, as mine are all in the South of England. Sandra

I don't think Lee is a name particularly associated with Romany families - maybe the person who told you that is thinking of 'Gipsy Rose Lee' a famous stripper! If you get her marriage cert it might have her father's name on it, and possibly his occupation which might be a clue as to whether or not they were a travelling family. Father's name would also be a checking point on any certs you might find in the index. Also, if she died after 1969 her birthplace and date of birth should be on her death cert, although this is not always accurate. How sure are you that she was born in Merseyside? nell

I know it's a different subject but I am trying to find out about my father's real father who he never knew who I think was called Albert Lee from West Yorkshire. I don't suppose you have found any of your ancestors in that area have you?

you need to look on site 1837 and find her birth registration. her birth cert will have both parents names- i believe even a gypsy has to register a birth. alternatively find her marriage registration- that will give you her fathers name and occupation

Hi, My Grandmother died before I was born and my surviving family do not know anything about her parents - so I am trying to trace her. People say that Lee is a Gipsy name and so may not have been covered by the Census - is that true? The thing is I can't seem to find her by the normal means I am using - compounded by the problem that I can't seem to get my head around which district merseyside towns came under all that time ago - hoping that the proffessionals on this site may be able to help? fornames MARJORIE BREMNER maiden name LEE born c1923 in WALLASEY (which is now in merseyside) She married my Grandfather - Leslie Norman BOUGHTON in about 1948 They had 3 Children - John, Jean and Lynne Would like it if you could tell me her parents names?