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Sarah Humphrey Burt Fagan
Sarah Humphrey Burt was born in Wareham, Dorset and christened on the 27th May 1825 at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Chichester, Sussex. She was the eldest of five children born to Harriet née Lomer and Dr...
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The Lovell Family of Bedford
During the late eighteenth century, the Lovell family dominated Bedford’s commercial sector. The local economy prospered through the production of grain, malt, and wool from surrounding farms and over successive generations the Lovell family developed...
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Archibald Howell, (or Howe), alias ‘Harry Jones’
It’s hard to imagine just how brutal childhood could be in Victorian Britain where countless children were homeless, orphaned or born into extreme poverty. Food was scarce and each day these children faced a harsh...
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The Burman Family Coach Builders of Bedford
In the 19th century, coach builders played a crucial role in the production of complete vehicles. They worked closely with artisans such as wheelwrights, blacksmiths, carpenters, harness makers, painters and upholsterers to transform designs into...
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The Bates family: Drapers of Bedford for many decades
‘Cyril Bates’ shop is still remembered for school uniforms by many Bedfordians today. The Bates family came from Watford, Hertfordshire in the eighteenth century. They worked on the land. Family names Thomas and Benjamin re-occurred...
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The Hurst Family of Bedford
Historical records indicate that the Hurst family played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Bedford community during the 17th century, contributing significantly to its growth and development. At that time, Bedford was a market...
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Ada Berrington and Neville Bligh – The next generations at Number 53 Waterloo Road
The following article is by Derek Turner, who is researching the lives of Waterloo Road residents since late Victorian times. The road is rich with interesting people over the generations, and in this case, probably...
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Henry Adair Orr (1815-1870)
Henry Adair Orr was born in Stratford, County Wicklow, Ireland where his family owned a cotton and calico printing business. He next spent some years in Victoria, Australia as an early colonist and pastoralist. Finally,...
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Donald Ricketts MC OBE 1896-1979
Thomas Charles Donald Ricketts (known as Donald) joined the Panacea Society in 1922 and remained a member until his death in 1979. Born in Kent, Donald joined the Indian Army in 1915 and later served in...
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Mary Ellen Snape – Travelling Performer
Mary Ellen was born on 24 October 1880 in Dalkeith, Midlothian. She was the eldest child of Robert Freeman, a “dolly stall keeper”, and his wife Amelia Manders, a hobby horse stall proprietor. Mary Ellen...