William Townsends Family History Web Site
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This Web Site is dedicated to the memory of William Townsend who was born in 1858 in the Derry
Hill / Bremhill area in the County of Wiltshire,UK, and to his
wife Sarah Holtom.
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This Web Site has been constructed by Peter Townsend, grandson of William Townsend.
The aim
of the site is to keep family members up to date on changes to their ancestral tree and to provide historical
background information on the Townsend family as it becomes available.
Our branch of the Townsend
family were known to have lived in the Derry Hill/ Bremhill area in the County of Wiltshire from at
least 1750 to 1985
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The above photo of William and Sarah Townsend surfaced in early 2006, it was provided by my cousin
Desmond Townsend. It is the only known photo of them in the early days of their marriage, we estimate
that it was taken in the late 1880's. A great addition to our collection of old family photo's. See
OLD FAMILY PHOTO'S below.
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DESMOND TOWNSEND
Sad to report that Desmond Townsend who is referred to frequently
on this website passed away at the beginning of 2010. Desmond was my mentor in putting together the
family tree and I will always be grateful to him for his kind council over the years, and on the family
connections that he researched . He will be sadly missed by family and friends.
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We are also making progress on the Holtom family with the help of Doreen White nee Townsend.
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See the results of the amazing DNA test between Peter and Martin Wiltshire.
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We are currently searching for Denis Townsend who stayed in Ireland when his father returned to England
in the early part of the 20th century.
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See Nigel Townsend'd matrix. Nigel Townsend who Desmond Townsend's son has made a very useful matrix
from his Fathers cardex system. This is a very useful tool for looking for the Bremhill relatives etc.
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Click here to bring up Nigel's Matrix.
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We had managed to trace our ancestors back to either a John and Elizabeth Townsend who
were married around the end of the 1700's... Or... to Ann Townsend who had a baseborn son George Townsend
baptised in Calne in 1796, who according to the Vicar of the day was fathered by a Richard Wiltshire.
We now know that Richard Wiltshire was indeed the father of our George Townsend because of the amazing
DNA test described in detail on Page 17.
I have joined a Wiltshire Mailing list at ENG-WILTSHIRE-1-request@rootsweb.com
and " Genes Reunited" , this has put me in touch with many others seeking information on their Townsend/Wiltshire
family Heritage.
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Genetic Genealogy..This is a relatively new science that looks very promising. A Townsend
surname group has been formed and is inviting Townsend family members to have their DNA checked against
other Townsend family members. This approach has helped some family members when the trail goes dead,
in particular in the late 1700's! which is where we had been stumped for the last few years.
I had my DNA checked early in 2005 by FamilyTreeDNA to see if I could get some clue as to what
Townsend clan we came from, and for other Townsend's in the future who may be interested in a comparison
check.. See Page 17 which contains information on my DNA test results. Also explained is the DNA comparison
test between Martin Wiltshire and myself which has resulted in a major breakthrough and expansion of
our family tree.
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Meet the Devonshire Townsend's.
Micheal Townsend with his wife Valerie and Granddaughter
Freya discovered this website last December. Michael did not know very much about his ancestors so was
quite surprised to see our large family tree. Michael is the great grandson of Jonathan Townsend brother
to our William.
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SCROLL DOWN FOR INDEX TO OTHER PAGES
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Our Wiltshire county and family connection
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Historical backgroung on
Bremhill, Studley and Derry Hill,
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The Queens Park Estate Era.
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Remembering Stan Townsend
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The above photo of Alf and Tilly's wedding day in 1912 turned up during my visit to the UK in 2002.
It is the oldest family group photo discovered so far.
My father Ernie Townsend [age 12] is second
from the left in the top row, to his right are brothers Fred and then George. We think that brother
John is somewhere in the top row but not sure where!!! It is hard to believe that three short years after
this photo was taken he and brother Fred were in the army fighting in Gallipoli.
To the left of
Alf are Florence and Mabel, above Alf are William and Sarah with possibly Emily or Lilly to their left.
If any family members can provide any more identifiction it would be greatly appreciated.
PeterT.
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If you would like to see
Old Townsend Family photo's
click on above
photo
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Remember! after looking
at photo's , click on ' Back '
at the top left of browser
to return to this page
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