Eric
My wife has Romany heritage with Smiths, Lee's etc. This seems to be her only contact from abroad. Both her and her father have a rare blood disorder called factor eleven deficiency, it means they bleed alot if they get cut. The thing is that this disorder relates to Ashkenazi Jews. Although most of these originate from Eastern Europe some are connected to India.
Mon Nov 23 21:34:24 2009
Brenda Roseanna Thompson
Hi i have recentley discoverd that my great grandfather was a Romany king his surname was Lee and he came from somerset to walworth in london, one of his daughters ellen married william thompson and lived in deptford they had stables in queens road peckham does anyone feel related to me please respond. Nais tuke.(thank you)
Mon Nov 23 17:39:09 2009
Rommy
Were do Romanys originate? this is a fascinating subject and also ties in with the Gypsy names as the old Rom's did have indian features and colour you can still see a hand full of today's Romany's who still have the old look but its a fact of life that most of today's Rom family's are so integrated with none Rom that the old looks are virtually all but gone. the old Rom who had the indian looks were Welsh Lee, Heron and Boswell and one or two other family's this can be seen in many old photo's.
Mon Nov 23 14:14:40 2009
Shauna G
The old travellers were dark, n have features that to me look Indiany ,certain words were found to come from Northern india that Romanies used, i sometimes go up to Medway where theres a big population,iv i see likeness of pictures of my ancesters, yet no one wants to admit the likenesses.... Im punie unlike my father n like Rosie im blonde lol even tho its out of a bottle he he but no one could convince me my fathers lot didnt have some foreign in somewhere going back.
Mon Nov 23 13:48:23 2009
Genty
Hello to Chris I wished I knew what I said to never hear from you again, I wanted to ask ages ago but didn't want to seem brazen. If you still got my email please let me know. Kind regards & cushty bok
Sun Nov 22 22:30:47 2009
bernadette burke
my family name is varey my great grandad was joe varey my great grandmother was sarah varey nee cunningham her parents names are andrew and elizabeth i am trying to do my family tree any information would be of help
Sat Nov 21 11:44:05 2009
B small
Hi all . Smiths and lees .here you go again. Smith is the most common name in england and down here in devon plenty of lees all farmers tho . Devon Cornwall dorset small birch isaac Penfold hughs .ive had racial abuse from people only hearing my name down here . .
Fri Nov 20 19:39:17 2009
john sampson
rosie you say you came from india so was the chappie who said he knew your great granfather and he came from London, there must be a mistake somewhere along the line.I saw you on your CD about Stow and I thought you was the blondie oneLove to you all Johnny
Fri Nov 20 11:24:01 2009
Chris ws
I know its been proved that our ancestors went through Indina, and that most are of dark skin now, but If they came from Indina why have we not got Indian feature's ? I wonder if we will ever really know ?Bokt to all Chris.
Fri Nov 20 08:08:06 2009
Shauna G
My father had very dark hair , went dark in summer n had clear 'blue eyes' my nanna too blue eyes pictures of her show hair dark as coal n olive complection there are many kinds a back ground with names like Smith ,Jones another but its bit silly to say the only true names are Smith or Lee.... In the past Romanies went by alot of different surnames.
Thu Nov 19 13:40:28 2009
Rosie Smith
i believe we originated in indina, and that we left india becuse of a war that was forcing christans to become muslims, my beliff is that our ancestors originated form the soldiers and their familes that lost the battle and thats why we left india escaping,its been proved that our language is very silmler to that of a old indian delat, and we also have dna that would match us coming form india,english romany gypsies past frow many contrys before we reach england in the 16th centry, speanding a good amont of time in Turkey that is why a lot of greek words got abrorbed in to the romany language,my grany minty and he family were all very dark and indan looking, i know lots will probly think i am wrong lol but from all i have read about us this is the opinion i have formed, anyways i hope everyones keeping well christmas in around the conner, how the years flow by,anywas all my best to ya all rosie
Thu Nov 19 13:31:50 2009
Chris ws
To who ever replyed to Maureen & John, I agree, how ever could that be, just two nav's ?? I'm glad there are more hey ! thanks for putting mine( Penfold ) in your line up. well rokkered. Bokt Chris.
Thu Nov 19 09:05:07 2009
Smith
My granny's family were smiths and all very dark,my mum had very long black hair like an indian lady, and was often mistaken for indian.My own children are dark, all have dark hair,olive skin, two have really dark brown eyes but one has very bright blue, which looks really nice against her dark hair.I wouldn't be at all surprised if we originated from india.
Wed Nov 18 15:13:52 2009
Bob lovell nz
Barry whatson Pal.I aploigize but I can't remember U (Uk or NZ was it) but I met many folkie when I'm singing haaa if you can call it that. you say we had afew that would be WHY I can't recall that time. E'mmm afair bit of memory loss due to having lovely time's with lovely folkie around the yog & a few too many.Bokt to you.bob.
Tue Nov 17 22:30:35 2009
romanichal
Interesting site.Love reading the family stories and tales of the puri folki.I am romany on my mums side. Proud of it and feel a sense of comradery with all Romany folki.Blessings to you all..
Tue Nov 17 02:59:57 2009
Didi
I myself would think most British Romany' travellers' descend from same place India, and you speak of Romanies being darker yes originaly complexion but some did and still have 'Blue' eyes as well as 'Brown' Many old surnames still exist Lee n Smith isnt the only true surname ... Bokt ta all .
Mon Nov 16 18:45:06 2009
barry whatson
bob lovell are you the singer? if so i had a good old talk to you the other year i am now in the proses taking my buisness to nz all the best barry i played the flute why you chant mine you we might had a few
Sun Nov 15 22:04:02 2009
To Maureen and John
Maureen and John! Sorry but 'the only true Romany/Romani names are Smith and Lee' is rubbish. Dont know whose idea that actually is, but many of on this board have traced back to 1700s and even earlier and have names like Boswell, Ransley, Brazil, Ripley, Beeney/Beany, Gumble, Rossiter, Roberts, Price, Bexell (sp), Stone, Penfold, Lovell, Loveridge, Faa, Eastwood......etc etc. Smith is known everywhere, not just Romani.
Fri Nov 13 13:15:23 2009
to rosie S
rosie smith, I dont understand why u wont let your kids marry gorja's, when your great grandad was a gorja??
Fri Nov 13 13:11:29 2009
Please answer
I have 2 questions, Ive heard someone say British Romany gipsies were from the 'Kalash' tribe of the Himalaya mountains. Has anyone heard this? I dont know if its true because the Kalash are supposed to descend from Alexander the Great who passed thru there 2000 yrs ago. They are blue eyed mostly, wheras Romany are known for being darker. Also, has anyone been DNA tested to find out where theyre from? Im female and dont understand if it would work for a woman, I cant understand the jargon. If u have had a DNA test where did your ancestors originate from and roughly where in Britain are u now? (Just wondered if Cheshire gipsies came from a different place to Kent gipsies etc).
Fri Nov 13 13:09:56 2009
famie gumble
is any one on ere realeted 2 the gumbles n davis's if so please get in touch, like 2 meet some of me family xxx
Wed Nov 11 21:40:28 2009
Shauna G
Ol hope u feeling better soon Lenny.... yes i was trying to bring some humour to this site again when i said bout the mushrooms lol.
Wed Nov 11 10:08:20 2009
Lenny.s
Shauna,avent been on here for while bin in hospital with me near poggerd heart,had to have electric shock to make it beat properly,we go on about educatin on here well im glad the docters n nurses in ashford hospital educated or i be mullord for sure. praps i et some of them mushrooms you on about,glad you like me messages on here,Kushti bokt to all
Tue Nov 10 17:25:00 2009
Shauna G
Rose my nans sister Naomi, married Moses Ripley , they had two or three fruit n veg shops after war in Darford, my sisters remember going up there for tea with my nanna when they were little , the shops all since gone now, but i expect there still family living in that area.I live further down into Kent closer to Sittingbourne ,its funny how most families are connected somewhere along line on here .
Tue Nov 10 17:17:28 2009
seonidh
Hi there I am a Romani traveller and I just thought I'd say hi. I was wondering how many of you here travel? I gave up the road at the age of 9 and have lived in a house ever since. I miss the old ways and always pine for the sound of the rain off the trailer roof. I was wondering if anyone was learning another dialect of Romani? I have the book Das Dumas Romanies, and its a good read. Some f the words are the same while otheres are different. Lacho Drom.
Tue Nov 10 13:29:42 2009
Rosie Smith
hello Shauna G, i think the ripleys you are on about are my mums cousins has my mum is a ripley and a lot of her dads people are now living at darford,where abouts are you at anyways shauna,i understand if ya dont wonna say,im in surrey now but was rasied in kent and im always over that way,i go shoping at darford all the time,to MAUREEN AND JOHN, i cant talk for all gypsies on this one but i know my own self i would like it better if my children married other gypsies and i know my brothers and sisters feel the same way about there children, not because we are racist, only because we would like our grandchildren rasied in the gypsy way, but still if my son or daughter married a gorger i wouldnt treat them any diffreant then i would if they where a gypsy,also not many gypsy women work unless its helping their husband out most are wifes and mothers and that is seen has their job, but there is exspsions to the rule like with all things, i would sort of agree in a way that travelling girls are not really seen has grown up till they have children of there own,but sayig that i am 36 and me dad still treats me like a chavvy lol, and i would say most gypsies think living in a house makes no diffrance to where you are a gypsy or not,also there are many gypsy names tho i would say smith and lee are a couple of the big ones with lots of gypsies being either lee or smith,hello rita, minty smith was my granny the gypsy foki singer, jasper was her brother, my father is levy smith, frank stockins/smith was my grandad,by what you sad i would think we are cousins, i will ask me dad about emaily, but there was a lot of emailys n the family and it is a family name,to Bob Lovell, hello, thank you for wishing my family well, i hope yourself and your family are well also.all my best to all rosie
Mon Nov 9 17:17:12 2009
Chris ws
Bob mire pral, I'm glad you have posted again, and thanks for reminding all of us here, that we ARE on the same side, boro kom Chris.
Mon Nov 9 12:41:08 2009
bill martin
Bob which one are you talking about. Glad to see you are back. We missed you A voice of wisdom
Mon Nov 9 12:12:36 2009
bill martin
Rosie I can not see anything different in the way you say your way of life is more Gypsie than others.The things you have said is no different than any other ethnic group .Most families I know Gypsy or Gorger or Indian or any migrant family,Do exactly the same. So I dont get your drift of things sorry Kusti Bokt to everyone
Mon Nov 9 00:05:31 2009
rita
a message for rosie smith,i have read your message about your father telling you stories about the past ,my grandmother was emily smith who married a marney from mitcham,her brothers were darby and fank smith ,who was your father,as i am thinking we come from the same family,minty and jesper are my mothers cousins
Sat Nov 7 13:26:47 2009
Bob Lovell
Chris Pennar .Ava !I agree with you, no wonder I havn't posted here for awhile . but felt like saying , everyone here who is Romany (be they settled or on a site or going to the fair's etc ) don't argue about who isn;t or is living the real? Rom life (and good on those who are able and are lucky enough to have big families still alive today ) there are many many reasons why some of our folkie don't have those things today. Too Kako Bill and Rosie pennar & other's , your on the same side.Hope you & your families are well & happy.Kom ta bokt.Bob Lovell/Lee
Sat Nov 7 04:51:46 2009
Shauna G
Rosie u mentioned Swanley n the name Ripley, was they the same Ripleys who owned fruit shops in Dartford or relatives of them ? has Dartford quit close.
Fri Nov 6 23:07:41 2009
MAUREEN AND JOHN
TO ROSIE SMITH WE READ WITH ALOT OF INTREST ABOUT THE ROMANY WAY OF LIFE BECAUSE OUR SON HAS MARRIED A ROMANY GIRL AND OUR GRANDSON IS HALF ROMANY. I HAVE AFEW QUESTIONS WE WOULD LOVE TO ASK BUT DONT TO OUR DAUGHTER IN LAW IN CASE SHE THINKS WE BE NOSY.DO ROMANY PEOPLE NOT LIKE THEIR FAMILY MARRYING INTO NON ROMANY FAMILIES REALLY. IS IT USUAL FOR ROMANY GIRLS TO WORK OR DO THEY MOSTLY STAY HOME AND WAS IT EVER TRUE THAT A ROMANY GIRL WAS NOT SEEN AS AN ADULT UNTIL SHE HAS CHILDREN OF THIER OWN, OUR DAUGHTER IN LAW SAYS THE ONLY TRUE ROMANY NAMES ARE SMITH AND LEE I DONT KNOW IF SHES RIGHT ABOUT THAT. DO ROMANYS THINK FAMILY MEMBERS MOVING OINTO HOUSES ARE TURNING THEIR BACKS ON THE ROMANY WAY OF LIFE, ITS INTRESTING TO KNOW ABOUT DIFFERENT PEOPLE LOTS OF LOVE MAURREN
Fri Nov 6 15:04:57 2009
ROSIE M
to BILL MARTIN. Rachel and Thomas Deakins who lived 1840's-1890's[ my great grandparets] didn't have a child called Freddie but he may well have been related to them.maybe cousin. I know a lot of them did go out hawking with flowers and aunt Brittania's family still run the stall she had in Tooting up untill a 10-15 years ago.. mind you I would think most of us on here have got relations in common if not by blood by marriage.Rosie M. PS.. Rosie Smith so glad your not taking it to heart this site would be a poorer place with out you..Rosie xx
Fri Nov 6 13:24:45 2009
sharon diprose
thanks Rosie smith but I am a bit confused what is calling ? and your girls mess can you be a bit clear on that are they babies still in diapers? and is your husband a gypsy? and what is a Joe grey is it a uk beer?and when a girl takes off she married I don't understand is it like elope chavvys to yalding lees is that your church I am sorry I don't understand I from the states staying in uk to next fall can you be clearer please Rosie I am doing a project on gypsies as my dad is a senator in the states and he`s grandpa was a gypsies from Kent 1878 he arrived on the Hudson ok now Sharron
Thu Nov 5 23:17:18 2009
Smith family
please can anyone throw any light on the following family?William Smith married Emily Cooper.(Mitcham surrey (connections) Williams father was, Josiah Smith married to Alice (Nee) Lane in 1858 in malling kent,Plaxtol church,Plaxto. Mother and father of Alice are William lane and wife rebecca? birth/connection Sunning common 1871.
Thu Nov 5 21:45:55 2009
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