This month’s brick walls
CLAPHAM/Woolwich
I would appreciate any assistance in trying to identify the birth/baptism date of Daniel Clapham, who was buried on 27 April 1797 in the parish of St Mary Madgalene, Woolwich, Kent. His wife was Sarah, but I don’t know her maiden name. I would also be grateful for any information about their marriage. His known children were: Elizabeth Clapham (baptised on 4 April 1787), Ann Mary Clapham (baptised on 10 July 1789) and Hannah Clapham (baptised on 31 December 1794) all at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, Kent. Ian Beckett, by email
HUNTER/Walthamstow
I have looked through the 1901 and 1911 census and various websites but am unable to find my great aunt (whom my father knew as Ginnie Hunter), born approx 1896 – possibly in Walthamstow. She was the daughter of George William Hunter (b1869) and Mary Elizabeth Petts (born 1868). She had 11 siblings: Henry Charles (b1899), Edward Starling (b1903), Alfred Percy (b1895), Elsie Maud (b1907), Gladys Elizabeth (b1894), George Edward (b1891), William James (b1898), Leonard (b1907), Alice Louise (b1892), Mary Eliza (b1889), and Charlotte Florence (b1901). Can anyone find her?
Jon Hunter, by email
BALLARD/Portsea
I am trying to trace the births and parents of my 4x great grandparents Peter Ballard (born about 1791) and Sally Copley (born about 1790). The 1841 census shows them living in Portsea where all their children were born including my 3x great grandfather Peter Ballard (b1814) and his sister Sarah Ballard (b1817 or 1821), who was the mother of Victorian actress Dame Ellen Terry. The census says that they were both born in Hampshire but family rumour has it that Sally was the daughter of Sarah Bean from Dublin and Joseph Copley. Most of the books written about Ellen Terry say that Peter was an Irish builder. I hope someone can help. Sue Richards, by email
JACKSON/Lincolnshire
I am trying to find some details about my ancestor George Jackson (1812-1874). His father, also George, was born in 1786 and died in 1849 and lived all his life in Horkstow. Lincolnshire. George junior died in 1874 in Gujarat, India. I cannot find any explanation of why he was out there. Any ideas?
David Cheetham, by email