Family History

Over the years we’ve had many requests from people around the world to understand their family history. If you’d like to ask about an ancestor with links to Yaxham please do so here.

48 Comments

  • Barbara Brown says:

    Hi everyone, I am confused by entries found on the Findagrave.com website relating to my great (x4) grandparents Thomas & Mary MACK. The Findagrave.com site has no photograph or full transcript of the memorial, if there is one, and information has been added there that is incorrect. Thomas & Mary MACK were both buried 1825 at Yaxham, Thomas was buried 13 Jul 1825 and Mary 23 Oct 1825 (I have seen the burial register entries for the burials). Is it possible for someone to confirm if there is a memorial/headstone and if so what the exact inscription is, if the condition will allow. Thank you for your assistance. Barbara Brown, Canterbury Kent

    • Parish Clerk says:

      Dear Barbara,
      We have forwarded this to the Church and will respond with any information.
      Best wishes,
      Clerk to Yaxham Parish Council

  • Linda Lincoln says:

    Just wondered if anyone local could tell me if there are any marked gravestones for any Lincoln family ancestors, many have Yaxham as their parish but not sure if they are of this church or were wealthy enough to have marked graves, 1780s to 1900s. Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks
    Linda Lincoln, Grimsby

    • Parish Clerk says:

      Dear Linda, from a review of the records for the graveyard there isr the following:
      From the Monumental Inscriptions of The Church & Churchyard of St. Peter, Yaxham, Norfolk ( Printed 1996) are the following entries are recorded regarding the surname LINCOLN.

      Memorial No. A8 Fallen headstone with Gothic top, complex shaped stepped shoulders and side cut outs. The headstone is propped against the church wall. The inscription is clear and reads;
      In/ loving memory of/LESLEY THOMAS/ Infant son of/JAMES and SUSANNA/ LINCOLN/
      Born April 25th 1896/ Died July 17th 1899/
      Suffer the little children to come/ unto me and forbid them not for/ of such is the kingdom of God
      St. Mark X Chap 14 Ver
      Stone mason’s mark: A Percival/ Cemetery Road, East Dereham

      Memorial No. C92 Headstone with a semi circular top. The inscription is clear and reads;
      In hope of/ the resurrection/ to eternal life/ here lies the body of/ HARRIET LINCOLN/
      Who died February 19th 1900/ Aged 72 years/
      One family we dwell in him/ one church above, beneath/ though now divided by the stream/
      the narrow stream of death

      Memorial No. C93 Headstone with a Gothic shaped humped top, scroll shoulders and side cut outs. The inscription is clear and reads;
      In/loving memory of/ DANIEL LINCOLN/ Born Jan 31st 1820/ Died Oct 7th 1903/
      Thy word is true thy will is just/ To thee we leave him, Lord in trust

      Hope this is helpful for the family doing the search.

  • Lauren Cahill says:

    Hi all, looking for any information on a direct ancestor of mine; Johnathan Lock Bulwer Esquire, I am a descendant through his son John Bulwer and grandson Samuel Joshua Bulwer who emmigrated to Victoria, Australia in the 1850s/60s.
    The earliest residence I could find named was the Bulwer Estate in Yaxham, does this place still exist? Anyone with any information on Jonathon Lock please contact me, he is the furthest back we’ve been able to trace on my direct paternal side. Thank you!

  • Bob Weston says:

    I recently (after 25 years of research) discovered that my family lived in Yaxham until the 1830s. My great, great, great, great grandfather emigrated to America in the 1830s. I’m curious if there are any members of the Weston family still living in or near Yaxham? Please contact me at bweston1aATgmail.com.

  • Rae Acherman says:

    I have a possible ancestor, John Parsons who was a Rector of Yaxham in 1425. Would there be a list of Rectors for the Church available? Any information would be very much appreciated.
    With many thanks.

  • Simon Hambrook says:

    I lived in Byronia cottage as a child, opposite the park entrance, and was there until 1989. I had some great friends while at the primary school and in particular I would just love to get in touch with David Wood, whose parents Helen and Trevor, and whose brother Tom Wood, all lived next to the Railway station. I have tried to find David through other means but still cannot find him. I am back in norfolk to live now and it would be such a surprise for him to see me, especially I want to see him because I know that his life became a little difficult at times and I juist hope he is alright now. Others who might potentially know of David’s wherabouts (I suspect Dereham for the family, if not for him as well) are Alisson Cushings, Alisson Gardner, Peter Green from the school, Scott Leeds, and their family’s. Regards to all in Yaxham and thank you so much. It would mean the world to us I am sure!

  • Violet May Gay, nee Williamson says:

    My name is Katrina J. Webb, a granddaughter of the above-named who was my maternal grandmother who died in 1937. She married Reginald Sparke Gay and lived as a farming family with their 4 children at Malt House Farm in Mattishall at a time from 1912 when they married. She was born to a Yaxham family family. Her mother was Anne Stimpson.

  • Phillip Seaman says:

    For those tracing ‘Seaman’ Family members may wish to visit my web site: http://www.seamanfamilygenealogy.info There are vast excel databases of Seaman relatives, and I have corresponding ‘Legacy’ family trees if you want to email at p26seaman@aol.com I will send you any extra information I have in a tree format. However, what I am stuck with is John Seaman Abt 1816 from Yaxham – He married Judith Bassey, adnd what to have proof he is son of Charles Seaman (Abt 1775 – Yaxham) and Mary Watts – anyone help me?

  • Angela says:

    I visited Yaxham last week with my parents and husband. Mum and I are descendants of Henry Seaman, brother of Peter Seaman who was murdered in 1785. I’ve only just found these messages where Philip Seaman responds to both Bev Bowerman and Joan, and wish I’d found them before. Charles Seaman is my great, great, great grandfather and we know that his wife Frances was Kerrison before their marriage. I would love to hear from anyone in our family.

    • Joan Drage says:

      Reply to Angela’s post dated 19th May 2015Dear Angela, Peter Seaman, who was murdered, was my 5th great grandfather. So you and I are related in some way. My family tree is on Ancestry so if you are also on there we can share information. It’s called Hamilton/Seaman Update 8. My maiden name was Seaman. Joan

      • Angela says:

        Dear Joan, thanks for your reply to my post. I’m on Ancestry too, and would like to communicate with you.1spider53 should find me. Angela

    • Charlotte Elizabeth Jane Burke says:

      Hello Angela, I’ve just joined Ancestry.com and discovered that I am potentially an ancestor of Henry Seaman. I was taken by the story of Peter and Henry and decided to do a google search, where I came across your message. My paternal grandmother was Jane Seaman. We are from the North East of England.

      Regards,
      Charlotte

  • Mark Ward says:

    We have been remembering those named on the village war memorial who lost their lives in WW1 or WW2. It would be good to hear from anyone related to them.Thanks, Mark Ward Assistant Head teacher Yaxham Primary School

  • Phillip Seaman says:

    Responses to Joan:Charles Seaman Married Frances Harrison (Herrison or Berrison) dependent on what record you readNorfolk Parish Registers, All Saints Church, Wicklewood, Norfolk. FreeReg file: 14516″England, Marriages, 1538–1973 ,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NXFK-75Q : accessed 30 July 2012), Charles Seaman, 1834.Response to Bev BowermanI do have his full tree – email me p26seaman@aol.com

  • Gill Bullard says:

    We live in Adelaide and are visiting England in July . We wondered if there are any descendants of Rueben Bullard in you area. We could be related!

    • Allison says:

      Hi. My gr gr grandad is Reuben Bullard. He and his children spent time in gressenhall work house . Would love to hear from you . Allison webster . Ne.bullard

  • Phil Cottam says:

    Hello I am trying to locate a long lost friend Gordon Burrells he used to work on a farm in Shipdham for a Mrs Malt, I was a milking machine fitter from Ellesmere Shropshire and stayed in The George Hotel in Dereham back in 1975. My email philcottam@hotmail.co.uk

  • sam melton says:

    Hi there I am trying to trace back through my Spelman/Spilman ancestors in Yaxham. I have my Gt Gt Gt Gt Grandfather Peter Spelman as being bn in Yaxham in 1777 but am unable to locate a christening or go back any further. Any help would be greatly appreciated. contact me at snm19700@aol.com

  • Angela & Martin Moore says:

    We moved into The Beeches last summer and love every minute of being here in Yaxham!We have been researching the history of the house and, with some help, have done quite well.We do have a few gaps to fill and so we would love to hear from anyone who can add to the story or has any pictures we could see. We would like to hear any information about the Howlett family who were here in the late 19th century. With our many thanks,Angela & Martin

  • Robin Tovell says:

    Hi Yaxham,My g.g.g. grandfather was William Scales of Westfield and I have quite a lot of information on the family should anyone be interested.

  • Danny Carter says:

    I am trying to find out about George Forman who lived in Yaxham he was blinded in a saw mill accident can any body point me in the right direction to be able to see if it was in a local paper years ago we are talking about 11 april 1908 prox many thanks Danny Carter

  • Joan Drage says:

    Is there anyone in Yaxham descended from a Charles Seaman born around 1807? His wife was called Frances but I don’t know her maiden name. He was my great, great grandfather.

  • Marilyn Dahneke says:

    I spent a lovely night at the Old Mill in your delightful town in the summer of 2008. Didn’t know at the time that my 9th great grandfather, Robert Farrold/Farwell was living in Yaxham in 1641 at the time he wrote his will. His daughter, Judith married Thomas Howlett from Hockering. If anyone else is interested in the Farwell’s I’d love to hear from you. I’m in the process of reading all the wills from Yaxham from about 1500 to about 1700. It is a marvelous way for a person from New York in the United States to get acquainted with the old residents of your parish.

  • Josette Kolb says:

    HiI have been tracing my family tree and have found that one of my ancestors Charles Spelman (somtimes spelled Spilman) was the head teacher at the Yaxham National School in Clint Green. We have found his grave at the church in Yaxham and I have managed to find a drawing of the school when it was being planned. I have not been able to get any further information, but would love to hear from anyone who has any information on Charles, the school or any Spelman’s. Charles was born in Yaxham in 1792 and was the headmaster at the National School, he died at the age of 78 in 1864 and is buried at St Peters Church. The grave is at the far right hand corner of the chuch as you enter thr front gate.

    • Simon Middleton says:

      This is a response to a posting by Josette Kolb, January 2010. I have been tracing my mother’s family roots – she is a Brinded whose father’s family are from Freethorpe, Norfolk. His father married a Harriet Spelman in 1890 whose father was Henry Spelman, the son of Charles Spelman who is 25 in the 1841 Census and born in Yaxham. Charles was described as an agricultural worker in the census and he would have been born in 1816. I guess it is possible that he could be a relative of your “Charles” . It is unlikely that there could be two unrelated families with that name in Yaxham. If you’d like to follow up please contact me : simonmid@globalnet.co.uk

  • Yvonne Rautenbach says:

    I am keen to contact anyone surnamed Dutt in Yaxham and nearby villages. You might be able to help me with family research.thank you

  • Joyce says:

    Hi Yaxham. Are there any Tilney’s left in Yaxham? My husband Great Great Grandfather was Barnabas Tilney the Blacksmith

  • Cliff Leeds says:

    Hello YaxhamI have a gt gt uncle buried in Yaxham churchyard by the name of JAMES SOUTER LEATH. He was born in Norwich 16.06.1836 and died in Yaxham 07.09.1856 buried Yaxham 11.09.1856. On his death certificate it is stated he died of Scarlet Fever and that his occupation was footman. Can anyone tell me please if there was a Hall or some such residence in or near Yaxham who would likely have employed a footman? Thank you I’m keeping my fingers crossed!!!!!Cliff Leeds.

  • Lorraine Kay says:

    Hello Yaxham,my ancestor George Aldous and his family lived in Yaxham in Hill House, Well Hill. He later ran a village shop and his father had a long-standing carpentry business. Does anybody know if the house still stands or anything about the family that lived there? I live in the North, but am visiting to do family history research. Thanks for any help.

  • M. Dwyer says:

    Hello Yaxham.William James Flowerdew died on August 28, 1984. He lived at 19 St. Peter’s Close in Yaxham and was a retired railway porter. He was the uncle of Bettina Mary Middleton of Yaxham. William was my father’s second cousin.William was born in the village of Field Dalling, near Holt on February 6, 1898. His father was William James Flowerdew, Sr., a bricklayer’s labourer. The father died before William was born – The parish register for the baptism at Field Dalling includes the note: “father died suddenly at Sharington last summer.”William’s mother was Ann Middleton Green, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth Middleton and Robert Green.Mary Elizabeth Middleton, William’s grandmother was born at Saxlingham, Norfolk, one of 11 children of Charles Middleton and Mary Smith. Mary Elizabeth Middleton was the sister of Edward Middleton who emigrated to America in 1880. He was my great grandfather.I would love to make contact with any of William Flowerdew’s family living at Yaxham. my email address is mdwyer@dnsnyc.comThank youMichael Dwyer, New York USA

  • Bev Bowerman says:

    I am descended from Peter Seaman who was apparently murdered in 1785 in Yaxham. Is anyone related to his family or does anyone know anything about this.

  • Sue collier says:

    My 3x great grandfather William Phillippo kept the Bush Inn at Yaxham from 1869-1871. I downloaded a picture of the inn from this website last year and need a copy of it again. It is no longer in the gallery – does anyone know what happened to it?Also does anyone know what the original building behind the Bush Inn was, which seems to have been replaced by something more modern? (I paid a brief visit there last week whilst on holiday in Norfolk)My great-grandfather Frederick Scales was also born in Yaxham in 1869 although he grew up in Westfield with father Robert. Grandfather William Scales was a farmer in Westfield and there are several family graves there. Does anyone know anything about the family?Any info welcome.

    • Albert Youngman says:

      To: Sue Collier, RE your enquiry regarding the Bush Inn – this was de-licensed in 1966 and I purchased it for a private home early in 1967.The building behind the Bush was originally a working Granary, last owners, Myhills until it was closed down and sold for development into flats. I have a modern photo, but not of the original Bush Inn

  • Malcolm Meachen says:

    I was born in Yorkshire , but my Family History takes me to Yaxham, if any one is interested in Meachen Family history, then post a message to me

    • Bob Weston says:

      I don’t know for sure that there is a connection. But there seems to be a lot of Meachen’s acting as witnesses at various Weston marriages (according to parish records).

    • Christine Benefer says:

      Hi, I’ve just come across this message. I have Meachen from Yaxham in my family history.
      Sarah Meachen (1835) is my 2x Great Grandmother.
      Regards
      Christine

  • melanie calland says:

    i am tracing my family tree and I want to know about a man who played the church organ in 1878, maybe at a baptist church, in yaxham , can anyone shed any light?

    heypapatooni@yahoo.co.uk

  • Maggie Oechsle says:

    Family Roots – A point of local reference may be the Mid Norfolk Family History Society which has a little booklet of the inscriptions in Yaxham Church and Churchyard.
    MNFHS Publication Society, 17 Windmill Road, Dereham, Norfolk NR20 3 BE.

  • Susan Bruce says:

    Hi I am researching my BRUCE family who lived in Yaxham in the 1800’s. Has anyone any information on this family, any clues welcome!

    e: BRUCECorvettekid@aol.com

    Many thanks

  • allison bullard says:

    hi all.i have traced my family tree back to 1665.my family were bullard/bulwer.i have relatives from yaxham dating from 1665-1800 then they move on to mattishall.i,m wondering if anyone there knows of any headstones in the local church or local information on the bullards/bulwers.i,d really appreciate any help.thanks,allison

  • Josie Davidson says:

    I recently visited Yaxham to trace my godmothers roots.
    She was Beryl Pratt “nee Last” and her family were millers at Yaxham, her sister Freda Last was I believe the last in the family at the mill, I presume she must now be dead, I combed the churchyard but could not find their headstones, could anyone help please.
    Is Freda Last still alive and if so where is she ?
    Regards to all in Yaxham
    Josie Davidson
    jdne10894@blueyonder.co.uk

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