Welcome to my homepage. As you can tell from the title this site is my birth family tree,something which i have wanted to research for many years,however i only started in December 2005.
The main family surnames of interest are Chambers, Elmer, Goulson and Hay along with the as yet largely unresearched Townsend line.
This site shows just some of the results of my research, mostly this has been into my maternal lines but the hard work has given me the greatest pleasure of all. Ironically it is a connection on my paternal side which i have hardly explored at the present time.
Just before xmas 2007 i finally managed to meet a half sibling for the first time, both Sheila and myself hope it is the first of many meetings to come. We have over forty years of catching up to do, we do know that there are another dozen or so half siblings out there, are you one of them?
I hope you enjoy your visit, if you have any connection, information or would like to know more about my family tree then please contact me via my e-mail address from this page.
I have found that the help and support of members at the Family Tree Forum website to be invaluable. After much recent work the site is now open to everyone, a completely new section (based on a wikipedia format) gives useful information, advice and visual guides to search techniques, census and certificate techniques/guides and has thousands of links to sites which may help you to uncover more about your family history.
A GEDCOM database of names is growing by the day and can help you find people researching the names in your tree as well as find help and advice from the many researchers who use the site every day.
Other sections include a research advice section, members can ask for and receive help with all aspects of genealogy, together with computer and software forums, photograph restoration and advice and the general discussion threads. Visit www.familytreeforum.com or use the link at the bottom of the page. The site is free but donations are welcome.
Glen (32 KB) This photograph shows me in 1967, by contrast there is also a picture of my half sister Sheila taken in the same year further through this section. We didn't find each other until September of this year and have lots of catching up to do....
Hms Rattlesnake (42 KB) George Hay b1810 was posted to this boat during his Naval career.Launched at Chatham Dockyard on 26th March 1822,Rattlesnake was 114 feet long and 32 feet abeam.As a frigate she was equipped with twenty 32 pounder carronades,six 18 pounders and two 9 pound long guns.
By 1845 she was converted to a survey ship and broken up in 1860.
Millicent Hay taken c1968 (187 KB) The one and only photograph of my mother that i have been able to locate.Taken in 1968 at a family wedding.
Headstone of Joseph Hay 1879-1885 and Joseph Hay 1 (349 KB) The headstone of my great grandfather Joseph Hay and his son Joseph. They are among several headstones and plots within the Canwick Road cemetaries in Lincoln which are the resting places of at least four generations of my family.
Lilly Louise Chambers aged approx 18 (38 KB) A photograph of my grandmother taken shortly before her Xmas Day wedding to William Hay.The frame is presumed to be the original and bears the address of a photographer from Silver Street,Lincoln.
Hay family portrait (146 KB) William and Lilly (my grandparents) with three of their children. The eldest child pictured is Mabel who died aged 12, the other two children are thought to be Alice and Elsie. Dating the picture accurately is difficult but it will likely be from around 1914/1915
Inscription Detail on headstone of Joseph Hay (309 KB) In loving memory of Joseph Hay the beloved son of Joseph and Jane Hay who drowned in the River Witham April 22nd 1885 aged 6 years.In the midst of life we are in death.Also Joseph Hay father of the above who died Feby 27th 1890 aged 43 years
Elsie Hay and Douglas (95 KB) Not sure if this picture is before or after the marriage. Douglas was a Canadian airman and his surname may be either Quinlan or Quinnan, the couple moved to Canada and raised a family. Elsie did the Hay family tree some years ago, i would love to compare her version to mine some day but need to find the family first. Are these your parents? If so please get in touch.
James Townsend (71 KB) This photograph (taken 1945) shows my father James Townsend. He served in the Royal Signals and in this picture he would be 23 years old.
Keely (173 KB) My little baby.Young,blonde and beautiful.Watching the birds and looking puzzled,all in a days work for Keely
Martha aged 100 (182 KB) This photograph is definately 1955. On the table is a picture of the family party to celebrate the 100th birthday that Martha had celebrated earlier in the year.
Sheila Townsend aged 20 (15 KB) A photograph of my half sister taken in 1967 (the same year i graduated to a babywalker!). You can almost hear The Beatles and Cilla playing in the background.
Headstone Of George Hay (336 KB) The headstone of George and his third wife Maria,worn and weathered,but still largely legible in the Polka Rd Cemetery,Wells,Norfolk.With thanks to Lynn and her husband for assistance with the photographs of the headstone.
The job (569 KB) It can take 11 but is only part loaded.
Sheila Townsend c1947 (211 KB) A photograph of Sheila (my half sister). We lived very close to one another at one point but we still haven't met at present. Could any other half brothers/sisters make it a bigger reunion? We both hope so.
George T Elmer (22 KB) George Thorbon Elmer pictured circa 1885/90. By now living in Lincoln, George had travelled to Stockport to marry although he was born in Norfolk.
Edward Elmer and family c1915 (286 KB) Edward pictured with his wife Edith and children, Constance, Reginald and Clement. The date of this photograph was at the height of the Elmer family in Lincoln as several members of the Elmer family had settled in Lincoln at the time.
100 not out,Martha Thorbon Elmer (76 KB) A photograph of Martha (my great grandmother) taken in her 100th year,still enjoying the odd cigarette and looking pretty good for it.
Edward Charles Chambers, press cutting #2 (137 KB) The second press cutting, this time the inquest is reported, the details show how Edward (my granduncle) was hit by a heavy metal bar which flew for nearly 100 feet causing severe head injuries
Edward Elmer group portrait c1908 (257 KB) Edward Elmer together with his wife Edith (nee Quibell) and her sister Nellie (right of photograph). Edith and Nellie can trace their roots back to Huguenot ancestors
Edward Charles Chambers, press cutting #1 (207 KB) The press cutting published the day after my granduncle was killed in an accident at the foundry where he worked. Edward was struck by a metal bar causing severe head injuries, an inquest was held and press cutting #2 gives details of the hearing.
William Hay (109 KB) My grandfather William, son of a mariner and a lifelong blacksmith/engineer. William lived in the same street for most of his life, he sadly died before any of his grandchildren were born.
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Glen Jones.My birth family and roots