Some Research by Janet Gyford
i.e. people born in Witham but living in other counties when the 1891 census was taken. Derived from the Ancestry.co.uk website which I believe has many inaccuracies. I just looked for entries where Witham Essex was given as the birthplace. I just found this list on my phone (July 2026). I remember that I once Continue reading "People born in Witham but moved away by 1891"
The Balls family. This research was carried out in response to an email that I received on 7 January 2026. It was from the Foundation which is responsible for the Valkenswaard War Cemetery in the Netherlands. It asked for information about Lionel Frank Balls of Witham who was killed in battle in Holland in 1944 Continue reading "Balls family"
Draft key to main manor numbers and addresses in order of main manor number Prepared by Janet Gyford, August 2000 To read more about these manors see this page. The ‘main manor numbers’ were used from 1686 onwards. This table is an interim attempt to attach modern-day addresses to these manor numbers. If streets are Continue reading "Manors of Chipping (Witham) and Newland (manor number order)"
Draft key to main manor numbers and addresses re-sorted into street and street number order Prepared by Janet Gyford, August 2000 To read more about these manors see this page. The ‘main manor numbers’ were used from 1686 onwards. This table is an interim attempt to attach modern-day addresses to these manor numbers, and arrange Continue reading "Manors of Chipping (Witham) and Newland (street…
E.R.O. D/UWi 1/2/1 These are just selected extracts. Ignored Waterworks Committee. Also generally ignored Building Committee re plans submitted (may have some separate notes on latter) See also Council minutes, 1911-1918 and 1918-33. Road Committee, 21 October 1905, page 2 Discussion about line of road at the Pound [i.e. Collingwood Road and Avenue Road junction. Continue reading "Witham UDC,…
Some extra details about the Interviews. The original recordings of the interviews are held at the Essex Sound and Video Archive. To listen to the recording, please contact them at ero.enquiry@essex.gov.uk or 033301 32500. To search within the interviews, include the word tape in your search. For example, to find interviews that mention Luard , search Continue reading "Information about…
Books about Witham and Essex from Janet Gyford’s collection, given to Witham Library in April 2026. Catalogue of Essex Parish Records 1240-1800 Essex Harvest: A Collection of Essays The Essex Landscape: In Search of Its History Moira Abdel-Rahim – Strike Breaking in Essex Chris and Ken Adams – 1914-18 A Village Remembers Peter A. Anderson Continue reading "Books given to Witham Library in April…
This agreeable looking gentleman is the Reverend John Bramston, as drawn by his wife Clarissa. He was from a distinguished Essex family and was the vicar of Witham for 32 years. H and Clarissa first came here with their two daughters in 1840. They were nervous about the move because of the success of the Continue reading "Witham in Olden Time"
The Hairpowder Tax was introduced in 1795 by Prime Minister William Pitt the younger, to raise funds for fighting the Napoleonic Wars against France. A certificate permitting the use of Hairpowder cost one Guinea per year (the equivalent of about £100 today). Some groups, such as the military, were exempt. Powdered hair had been a Continue reading "Hairpowder tax"
Introduction Until the 1830s there was only one house on this site, known rather dramatically as “the furthest most house on the south side of Newland Street towards Colchester”. In 1788 it was bought by Thomas Kynaston whose estate also included the adjoining large Grove House, where he lived. In 1805 Roger Kynaston sold the Continue reading "Grove Cottages, Newland Street"