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Gypsies and Travellers Family History
In the past most people tended to stay in the same place - but there were other who were frequently on the move, and tracking them down can be difficult. However there is a friendly society, the Romany & Travellers Family History Society who may be able to help. They publish a newsletter, hold open days, visit some Family History Shows, and have a web site www.rtfhs.org.co.
Pictures taken at the Society Open Day at Tring, 17th July, 2010
The society had a bookstall with many interesting looking family histories, and some more general books, and I particularly noted On the Gypsy Trail: Sources for the Family History of Gypsies, by Alan McCowan as a useful introduction to the subject (see below).
There was also a very impressive display of second hand books on Romani Gypsies and Travellers on sale by Cottage Books (catalogue available from Jenny@friendlyweb.co.uk)
Sources for the Family History of Gypsies
Alan McGowan
Romany and Traveller Family History Society, 1998
Section Headings
Foreword; Acknowledgements; Introduction; Origins; The Direct Line; Locating Entries for Gypsy Families; Birth and Baptism; Names and Occupations; Marriage; Death and Burial; Poor Law Records; Census Returns; Brushes with the Law; Licensing of Hawkers, Pedlars, Chimney Sweeps; Instruction and Improvement; Fairs and Fairgrounds; Tents, Waggons, and Houses; Printed Sources; Military Records; Special Collections and Indexes; Personal Recollection and Family Legend; Gypsies Today; Bibliography
If you can add to the information given above tell me.
Page created July 2010
