I started my family tree about 2004 after finding some notes with Aunts and Uncles names on plus one birth cert of my Grandfather Frederick Patterson (who died before I was born). Later I found some more notes on my fathers side too. Mainly out of curoisity I looked on the 1901 census and was amazed to find my fathers name and his family. I felt quite excited by this. After this discovery I did not continue for a while until I saw the tv programme, "Who Do You think you are". I had not realised that there was information available before 1837 so I decided to join a website. I found it so fascinating to know their occupations and the areas they lived. I was a "Cockney" although at 9 months old I became an "Essex girl". I had just assumed that my ancestors all came from Bow, East London. How wrong was I, Mums paternal (Pattersons) came from Scotland, mainly sailors and shipwrights. Later Dock labourers then Painters & Decorators. Forrests from Shoreditch, occupations Engravers and Printers. Mum's maternal side (Hearns) from Shoreditch then Bow were Shoemakers. Copes originated in Bermondsey then on to Bethnal Green. They were woodcutters in Hackney & Paddington, London.
Dad's paternal ancestors (Nicholls)came from Hertfordshire some were Victuallers, My 3 x Grandfather John (2nd youngest in the family) was a Painter, Decorator, Glazier also Builder and a Publican of "The Fox" in High St. Hoddesdon (demolished and now a carpet shop). GG Grandfather moved to Bow and was marr. to my Gt. Nan nee (May) born in Stratford, Essex. The Mays originated in Abberton, Essex and were Farmners, they married Leverett's originally from Ardleigh, Essex. Descendants of Leveretts were mainly Mariners based in Colchester, Essex. GGG Uncle Edward Leverett was a Gamekeeper for over 20 years at St. Osyth Priory, in St. Osyth, Tendring, Essex.
On the Jenkins maternal side (Ashcroft/Seddon/Darbyshire) Ancestors were Miners from Yorkshire, Lancashire and Northumberland. Paternal side (Jenkins) originated in Wales (Dairymen), then to Spitalfields and Bethnal Green. Occupations Silk Weavers, fruit porters, sawyers, labourers etc.
The Phillips family (Husband's maternal side) came from City of London (Westminster), a very nice area. Phillips were Hatters & Accroutement makers (there must be a connection to the Army) still researching this. GG Grandfather John Shaw bc1795 accord. to census was born in USA but have come to a standstill on this at present. Descendants worked as Waterside Porters, labourers, etc.
I have found this to be a most interesting and fascinating hobby, and I now have contact with quite a few 2nd and 3rd cousins around the world. I would recommend anyone to trace their family. You will never be bored! If you find any errors or have any information please let me know. Thanks
Lilian.