This is the area where you can find out about Hethersett family names and have requests published.

So if you are looking for a certain former resident of the village just e-mail by clicking here and your request/notice will be printed. You can also leave messages on the noticeboard. Similarly if you have family history that you think might be helpful to researchers just send it via e-mail.

The following names and details are currently being searched. If you can help with the queries below please e-mail the person directly by clicking on the link and don't forget to tell me of any more information on these names by sending an e-mail by clicking here.

AVES

Peter Aves contacted Hethersett Web after reading the article on Myrtle Cottage and told us the following about his family roots.

I found your very interesting article on Myrtle Cottage by chance. My connection to the late John Aves Curson is through Hannah Aves, born 9.9.1813, at Colney, the daughter of Richard and Hannah Aves, nee Lovewell, (my great x 3 grandparents). 

Hannah married Richard Curson circa 1835. I've no further information other than the birth of her two younger brothers in Hethersett, Thomas Aves b.17.12.1821 and Isaac, b.28.5.1824. 

Richard Aves died 17.12.1861 in Wymondham. Hannah, the mother, died 2.6.1859 in Hethersett.

Peter Aves can be contacted by clicking here.

BAILEY

Dave Short is looking for information on the name of Bailey. His Great Grandmother was Ellen Bailey who married William Christie in 1895. His father was Robert Bailey who lived in Lynch Green and was a fish dealer. Unfortunately Dave hasn't left an e-mail address but any replies can be sent to him via the noticeboard.

BLAKE

Christopher writes: My grandfather was born in Little Melton in 1899. His name was Maurice Blake, son of George Frederick Blake (b.1877-Hethersett) and Helen Elizabeth Blake née Richardson (b.1871-North Walsham). George Frederick Blake was son of George Blake (1850 or 1851-Hethersett) and Sarah Ann Blake (b.1853-Hethersett).

I would be very interested and grateful to hear from anybody who has any information at all about this branch of my family.

Please contact me (with the word hethersett in the subject line) by clicking here

BROWNE

Celia Scottow would like help in tracing the family of Henry Browne. Celia writes:

I am researching the family of Henry Browne born between 1785 and 1789 in Hethersett. He married Frances Norgate 26th July 1825 - Hethersett and Maria Barker in the June quarter 1842.

I have found the family in the 1851 and 1861 census.

In 1851 Henry was a farmer of 30 acres and employed 2 labourers.

Unfortunately I have been unable to find any more information concerning Henry and his ancestry.

I wondered if you have any information regarding him and his family in your records. As I live near Birmingham accessing records is difficult.

If anybody has information they can e-mail Celia by clicking here

BUNN

Bev Corbett writes from New Zealand:

I am searching for family information about my great great grandparents, Henry Bunn, born 1800 in Hethersett (died 1855 in Southwark, Surrey) and Eliza Elizabeth Bunn (nee Betts) born 1807 in Norfolk (died 1886 in Riwaka New Zealand. Elizabeth remarried - Samuel Woolfe - in 1887 in Riwaka.. Their daughter Maria is my great grandmother.

If you can help, Bev can be e-mailed by clicking here.

COLLIER

Roger Dicks writes

My Grandmother Gertrude May Collier was born in Hethersett in1895. I don't 
really know anything about her early life. She married a Mr Cornish & moved 
to Leicestershire. My name is Roger Dicks. Any information about her or 
any relatives would be most useful. 

CURSON

Jean Snowden writes:

We recently visited Hethersett Village and would like to find out some more information on the Curson family.

Hannah Curson (born around 1860) is my great-grandmother and William Curson, who was a bricklayer, is her father.

I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has any information on the Curson family. You can contact me by clicking on my name link above.

DANIELS/WARD

Lyn Wilson writes:

I have the marriage certificate for my Great Great Grandparents, James Daniels and Mary Ann Ward who were married on 26th December , 1859,  in the Parish Church, Hethersett.  James is the son of William and Ann Daniels and they lived on Mill Road although they were originally from Ketteringham. 

I have had success finding James' family in the census records but am having a struggle with Mary Ann's as there are two born at similar  times in the Norwich area. Mary Ann was born about 1838. Her father was James Ward of Hethersett who was a labourer. He later moved to Seaham, County
Durham, when James and Mary Ann went there between 1861 and 1871.

I'm looking for anyone who may have done any research on either of these families. I hope to visit the area soon but if you have any information I would really appreciate it. 

Lyn can be e-mailed by clicking here.

DAVEY (Davy-Kittle)

Mel Mills is looking for information on William Davey and family who lived in Mill Road Cottage at the Turnpike. Mel writes: I am researching my family roots in Norfolk and wondered if there are any references/photographs etc of the above property/occupants.

In the 1881 census, William Davey and Mary Ann Davey are shown as living there with son Robert (Robert would have been my Great Grandfather). Their name was actually Davy-Kittle, but seemed to change with the weather! Sometimes they would drop the Kittle and sometimes they would drop the Davy (though mispelled in the 1891 census as Davey). William was a wheelwright and Robert was an apprentice wheelwright in 1891. Robert was born in Hethersett around 1867. 

Mother Mary Ann was a 'Vout' prior to marriage and worked at Hillborough Hall as a cook . . . any information at all would be most welcome.

EMMS

Wendy writes: My 6x great grandfather Thomas Emms married in Hethersett around 1800 and lived in Lynch Green House with his wife Ann (nee Walpole)-the house was formerly the Trowel and Hammer Pub. Does the house still exist?

Also, I'm not sure which parish he came from - no mention of him in Hethersett prior to his marriage. Anyone else researching the same family?

If so contact Wendy by clicking here.

FLOWERDEW

Julie Holmes has written to us from New Zealand with an interesting insight into the Flowerdew family. Julie writes:

I have been researching a family line from Hethersett for 8 years now. It is the Flowerdew line that I married into here in New Zealand. I would appreciate anyone who has information or pedigrees on the Flowerdew lines if they could contact me. I have a wealth of information going back as far as the mid 1400s and am in the process of compiling it all together.

There is so much history in this one family line that begins with a John Flowerdew mentioned in the Paston letters who seems to have become Rector of Drayton 1461 upon the death of Fastolph. John Flowerdew is named as a rival candidate where John Paston gave the position to John Flowerdew and Margaret wanted Thomas Hakon. She wrote requesting that he, her husband has the Bishop call in the Parson Flowerdew, and that must be proclaimed in the church of Drayton three times by a dean, and after that if he appear not within six months after the first proclamation, that
then he was to be deprived. 

This is written in The Paston Letters By Alexander Ramsay, pg 187. He has an interesting footnote:

The beginning of this letter is curious, at it furnishes us with an account of the process to dispossess a parson of his church; What Flowerdcw had done to incur deprivation does not appear. John Flowerdew was instituted to the rectory of Drayton on the 15th of March, 1461, on the presentation of John Paston, Esq. and Thomas Howes, clerk. At the time that this and the foregoing letter was written, there was a dispute between the executors of Sir John Fastolf and the Duke of Suffolk concerning these estates at Drayton, Heylesdon.

There is one other reference to this Flowerdew in the book: Paston Family in the Fifteenth Century:  Fastolf's Will By Colin Richmond. Pg 142. An appropriate comment:

John Flowerdew seems to have been the Paston Candidate as late as 27 May (Davis I pp 302-3) and according to Blomefield (V p131I) it was Flowerdew who was, or became, at some unknown date, rector, However, in August, Thomas Hakon, parson of Felthorpe, was Margaret's choice (Davis I p315) perhaps Flowerdew had been appointed and then had
promptly died, as John Deubeney wrote to Margaret sometimes between May and August, "the parson that my master made last at Drayton ys deed'

What a beginning to the history of the Flowerdew line.

There's are a couple of generations that appear under probate records but nothing solid until the hated Flowerdew landlord John Flowerdew apprears in history and his seven sons including the Baron Edward. Even by the time Baron Edward comes along we are into the late 1500's when he dies. There are however, some Flowerdew names in
Norfolk at this time that I cannot match up. And a line that also is around Surrey in the 1500's.

I am a little surprised that there isn't more information on a family that has contributed so much to the history of Norfolk so I am compiling what I have into a publication. I would appreciate anyone that has researched the Flowerdew lines or
anyone that has access to the very early historical pedigrees to get in touch with me. Julie can be contacted by clicking here.

IRELAND

John Ireland has contacted the site about his family ties in the 1850s. John lives in Scotland and is finding the long distance research rather difficult. Anyone who can help him can e-mail him by clicking here

JACKSON

Roy Jackson has sent the site a number of reminiscences and details about his family which he feels might be useful.

Having found your site whilst researching my family who originated on my father's side from Hethersett, I hope I can open up a new family name to those that I find mentioned on your site.

My father, Edward Horace Jackson, was born in Hethersett in August 1914. He was son of the Blacksmith at the Smithy in Norwich Road, Horace Arthur Jackson, who had also been born in Hethersett in December 1886 son of John Jackson and Ellen. John Jackson was, as far as I can make out, a Coachbuilder and also had sons William (c1891), John (c1885), Alfred (who died in the First World War) and daughters Nellie, Edith (c 1882) and May (c 1890).

The iron bands around Kett's Oak, which we always used to see as we passed on the old A11, driving to visit my grandparents when I was a child, were replaced by my grandfather (HAJ) before he left Hethersett to live in Norwich. During the First World War he served as a blacksmith with the army in France and survived to return. I am not certain when he moved to live in Sandringham Road, Norwich, but he was definitely there in 1926 as his will is dated from that address and my father (EHJ) was then attending the City of Norwich School. My grandparents moved to live with my parents in Benson, Oxfordshire, in the early 1970s where they eventually died within a week of one another in 1980.

John Jackson (father of HAJ) also had a brother in Hethersett, Robert Jackson, known as "Bobbo". As far as I can make out he was born about 1863 and became a general labourer. All we know about their parents is that the mother was called Sarah.

KNAPP:

Trudi Nicholls writes: Hello I was very pleased to find your site as I have recently started looking into my family tree on my mother's side The Tryphena Knapp listed below was my grandmother As a family the stayed very close to hethersett, the last generation living in Melton Road, Mill Road, The Turnpike Thank you for any help. Trudi lists her descendants as:

Stephen Knapp (1795C) married Elizabeth. Stephen Knapp (1838) married Elizabeth. Children - William Knapp (1866), Herbert Knapp (c1868), Frederick Knapp (c1870), Stephen Knapp (c1873).

William Knapp (1866) married on 16th January 1887 Laura Jane Brown (1868). Children George Knapp, Cecil Knapp (1889), Eva Knapp (1891), Matilda Knapp (1893), William Knapp (1894), George Knapp (1895), Archer (Archie) Knapp (1898), Charles Claude Knapp (1900, died 1900), Muriel Knapp (1902), Tryphena Knapp (1908).

Tryphena married twice - first unknown, second to John Rendle (1906).

Anyone that can help Trudi in her research can contact her by clicking here

LAKE:

Leigh Hay-Leblanc writes from Ontario: "I live in Canada and am working on my family history of the "Lake" family.

William Christmas Lake was born on December 25, 1801, christened January 10, 1802 in Framingham Earl, Norfolk. He was the son of William Thomas
Lake and Susanna Ward. The 1851 Census for Norfolk gives the following information:

Address: New Road, Hethersett
Census Place: Hethersett, Henstead, Norfolk and 
lists William Christmas Lake, his wife Elizabeth T. and 8 children.

It is said that William Christmas Lake was married prior to Elizabeth but his first wife died and he remarried. A number of the older children are said to have been of his first wife but I have yet to find any proof of this. One son by the name of William Thomas Lake born about 1829 who is listed on the 1851
census, left England and came to Canada in 1852 where he settled in Newcastle, Ontario and where he remained for the rest of his life and is buried.

I have a picture postcard that a member of the family took in Hethersett when on a visit to the old family home in 1912 including Hethersett church where it is believed most of the Lake family are buried.

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who may be researching their roots from this same family and I would be more than willing to share my research.

Anyone may contact me by e-mail by clicking here. 

LIVICK

Sally Poulter (nee Smith writes):

I am trying to gather information for my family tree on my late mother's side. My mother came from Hethersett, her maiden name was JOYCE ADELAIDE LIVICK. My Grandfather lived in Hethersett and his name was WALTER LIVICK. He passed away about 40 years ago and I believe he was buried in the churchyard. I believe I may have an uncle and aunt in Hethersett, if they are still alive. My uncle's name I think may have been Edward, although he was referred to as Teddy Livick and his wife's name was Myrtle. If anyone has any information, I would be most grateful. Sally can be e-mailed by clicking here.

One other piece of information from Sally is that she remembers as a small child going to visit Walter Livick who had one leg and got about in a hand propelled type of wheelchair.

LOFTY

Della Lofty sent us a fascinating e-mail about her research into the family name that goes back hundreds of years. Della writes: "My family can be traced back hundreds of years in the village of Hethersett and married into most of the families there. I have compiled an online family tree, which may be of assistance to others who are
researching Hethersett ancestors." 

The information is available on a special web site that is available by clicking here.

NEVE

Cheryl is researching the Neve family of Hethersett, mainly Samuel Neve. 

Samuel was born in Hethersett in 1799 and his wife Mary was born in Hethersett in 1788. One of their sons was Jeremiah Neve born in Hethersett in 1823. 

The other children were James, George, Samuel, Mary and Elizabeth Neve. Cheryl would love to hear from anyone who recognises the Neve name. She can be e-mailed by clicking here.

PORTER

Judith Adams has contacted us from Los Angeles with the following message:

Greetings from Los Angeles: I am trying to find Mrs. Marion Porter whom I believe lived at 5 Central Close in Heathersett about 5 years ago.

I believe her phone number was 811275 but that is no longer a correct number. She is my sister-in-law and I would like to communicate either with her or her sister, Hilda Adams, whose whereabouts I also do not know. Mrs. Porter also has a son, Bernard Gunther and a daughter Christina Kett (Mrs. Dennis Kett). 

Perhaps they are known in the village. Mrs Porter would be in her early eighties and was I believe the wife of a doctor. A Mr. and Mrs. Folger are also listed on the page giving me the Central Close address if that might help. Thank you so much for any help you can give me. 

Judith can be e-mailed by clicking here.

RANDELL

Rosalind Trevor (nee Randell) has been in touch and is looking to trace her grandfather whose name was Christopher Randell.

"Before I was married my name was Rosalind Randell. I have found all my grandmother's family who were the Lofty family, but I cannot find my grandfather whose name was Christopher Randell. I lived in Hethersett until I was 10, but my father lived there until he died in 2003 or 2004. I would like to find out a lot more about the family. I think my grandparents were married in the church.

If you have any information that can help Rosalind, she can be e-mailed by clicking here.

REYNOLDS

Katherine Ireland is researching into the Reynolds family and writes: My great grandmother Emma Tuttle (born Hethersett 1864) married Joshua John Reynolds (born in Little Melton 1868) in Hethersett in August 1894. They 
lived on Melton Road in Hethersett where their son, my grandfather Reginald Robert Reynolds also lived with his wife Florence.

I would be grateful of any information anyone has about this family and in  particular any information on the children of my grandparents. I know they had a daughter, my aunt and a son, my father but they reportedly had approx 3 more children (possible infant deaths) and an adopted son (my uncle) - I am particularly interested in this adoption. Katherine can be e-mailed by clicking here.

TANCOCK

Kenneth Tancock writes:

I have been trying to find information about my family's past when I happened upon a board that stated that there was a possible family member in this town. The listed name was Pam Tancock as the district commissioner. Any information on the last name Tancock would be greatly welcomed.

Kenneth can be contacted by clicking here.

TURNER

Andy Whitfield writes from Southall, Middlesex.

I am trying to trace a family decendent - One Emma Turner (married name) born in Hethersett, Norfolk, 1837. Emma's maiden name is likely to be Warman and Emma married Thomas Francis Turner sometime around December 1863 (Henstead Hundred/possibly Hethersett itself).

I'd would love to find any information on her or her family-
Also if the family still lives in or around Hethersett today.  Andy can be e-mailed by clicking here.

VAN DE MOORTEL

Nora Van de Moortel has written this from Belgium.

Hello!

I am a Belgian citizen trying to get information about Michael Colin De Keyser who must have lived in Hethersett (When?).

I know he collected a lot of documents about Sir Polydore De Keyser. This Belgian born ancestor of mine, was Lord Mayor of London in 1887.

Can you help me to find M. C. De Keyser? If so please click here.

WOODS

Kathleen Whitehouse has contacted us regarding the Woods family and writes:

I am looking to trace relatives of Hethersett. Their name is Woods and they lived in Lynch Green in the cottages behind Lynch Green House. Aunt Sybil (as she was known to me then lived there). She was also aunt to my Uncle Reg Woods. I think he was on the parish. In 1964 David their son was born. My aunt became ill around 1966 and I came to live in Hethersett to look after David and start him at school in the village.

I left in 1969 to get married. In 1970 Aunt Gladys died and I returned for the funeral, but cannot remember which church. (but I remember uncle Reg's mother being buried there too.)

I would like to know if anyone remembers them. I can't remember the number of the cottage only that it had a conservatory on the back. I enjoyed my time time in Hethersett and one day would like to return to walk where I once did and look at the changes.

If anyone can help me with any information or pictures I would be thrilled.

Update: Kathleen has contacted us again to say she has met with considerable success:

"I thought I would write and let you know my latest news. As you may remember I was looking for my Woods relatives from Hethersett. A Mr Ken Woods contacted me who is a relative of my Uncle. He sent me the Woods family tree and loads of pics of them. He also sent me pics of Aunty Sybil and Ruby who lived in Lynch Green House, and pics of the old house inside and out. They all bought back so many happy memories. 

WOOLHAY

Beverly Montgomery writes from Goderich in Canada for information on Sarah Woolhay. Bev writes: "

I am looking for information on a Sarah Woolhay b.1831 (at least that is the way it is spelt on the IGI).

She married George Foyster.  George and Sarah resided in Norwich and as far as I can tell they had at least three children. Sarah Ann, Ellen Maria (married Frank Robert Want in 1892], and Emma Elizabeth [ Emma passed away in 1882 at the age of 11].

I know that Sarah Woolhay was born in Hethersett so I am hoping that there may be someone out there who may know of her family or at the very least point me in the right direction.

HELPFUL SITES

Below I will build up a list of useful genealogy sites

Norfolk Roots

The Norfolk Roots magazine is published by Archant in association with the Eastern Daily Press newspaper and contains articles on Norfolk genealogy and history. It has a web site which can be accessed by clicking here