Romany Roots: Have your say

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

Naomi P
Have Celia Deacon in my family ancestry, ownwed a flower shop in Portsmouth, had 1 son. She was a Roberts before marriage. (Same Roberts family as Rebekah and Mercy who post on here). Anyone recognise Celia's name?
Thu Nov 5 16:58:15 2009

Rosie Smith
i live in a gypsy way by mixing 98% with other gypsies, by having a husband that gos out calling for what he can get, by believeing my girls shouldnt mess about untill they are married, and stay deccent, and should stay with their husbands when married for life (unless he beats or is wicked to them),by working with my husband myself when needed,also by making a few holly rethes at christmas to help put the turky on the table, by living with and around my family,by still useing all the gypsy words still used in this monden age mix with english,by pulling away with a few other taravellers in the summer,by loveing to sit around a old fire other night in the summer having a dirnk and sing song with ambrose playing the old girta, by cooking a bacon or meat pudding most sundays, and making a drop of joe gry tho the week, by all getting up me mums and listening to me dad tell us about all the old family mebers long gone now like rymar, darby, minty,jesper, frank, old bill rendles,charrlets henry, and all the renlds,marnies,coopers,lees,stokins bakers,riplys,and all the other familys we know, by doing my home up in a traveller way and having my crown darby up,by knowing when a girl takes off shes married and not(living togther)by taking the chavvys to yalding lees on a sunday in the summer and having a chat with the other needies about, and yes by going to the horse fairs,by going to swanly market even when i dont wonna buy nank but just wonna have a chat with the other needie women that get up there, by thinking me boy should be treat like a little mush and broght up that way, by knowing when a cousin or someone ya know dies ya have to go and sit up and follow,(showing ya respects),by calling older people then me uncle and aunt,and theres loads of other things but if i right them all down i would be here all day...all my best to all rosie....ps rosie m it dont get me down on here, i enjoy it, if it got me down i wouldnt bother coming on here xx rosie
Thu Nov 5 13:28:02 2009

Shauna G
Why is the same subject being repeated on here ? surely its all done n dusted now, Chris, ws talking of Mushrooms i wouldnt know what i was picking lol, id either end up picking a Magic or Poisonus he he.... but some of them top Restaurants up London pay good money for them to use in their menus. Also wheres Lenny gone weve had some good conversations all positive n happy ones ,Best to all.
Thu Nov 5 10:59:38 2009

bill martin
Rosie M I have deakins,deacons in my family tree. A Freddy deakin married my great aunt Priscilla Stanley early 1900. I believe he came from Brighton .Iknow he was into flowers and onetime had a stall in Charlotte st Portsmouth Kusti Bokt to you and all my friends
Thu Nov 5 08:31:54 2009

sharon diprose
Rosie don't let people get you down on here it is good you living as a gypsy please enlighten me when you say your living as a gypsy in what way as in tent or wagon or caravan or mobile or shaly or house or flat or bungalow please don't take this in a negative way as iam intrigue to know thank you Sharon diprose
Wed Nov 4 21:52:36 2009

ROSIE M
to CHRIS WS.. I do know what you mean about working for big companies, but I admire Rosie's girl for going to hairdressing college.and see nothing wrong or nonRomamy in her working for someone to get experience befor she starts her own business.to ROSIE SMITH. of course you should be allowed to put your opinion with out people getting personal its just nasty..but I'm not surprised no one seems to like my opinions on here either. lol it must be something in our Deakins blood that makes us say things that others don't like. Rosie M
Wed Nov 4 13:34:48 2009

julia lyon
Please help.Iam looking for a romany family in Kent called chambers.My great grandfather was called Frank Herbert Chambers.He married florence who died in 1923.They had three children lesley,Ida and Pearl who is 90 next year.We have no more details as the children were brought up by a relative.
Tue Nov 3 21:59:02 2009

Sue W
I've recently been tracing my family history - it gors back (so far) to John and Mary Mammouth (John from Madaras) his daughter Jemima and Elizabeth married two brothers Sampson and Thomas Lambert who I believe were travellers living in a tent in Cinderhill lane Sussex in 1841.My Nan descended from this line - her father was Daniel Smith originally from Sussex and a chair caner although also listed as a hawker or flower seller. The family ended up in Croydon.I'd be interested to hear if anyone knows anything more about the family. Cheers.
Tue Nov 3 00:35:30 2009

Rosie Smith
i come on this board and give my opinion on subjects has a gypsy still living the gypsy lifestyle and instead of people asking questions or trying to change my opinion if they dont agree with it, instead they make digs at me by talking of personal things such has my family,everyone all knows who i am because i am so open about who i am and who my family are but i don't know most of the people that post, and the ones i do know i have never spoken of them personal or their families,if we are decssing a subject can we not talk of that without bringing family and personal stuff in to it, all my best to all rosie
Mon Nov 2 20:07:29 2009

Andy Johnson
To Chris Ridley,I don't if we have a connection anywhere my Grandmother on my Dad's side was a Rose Ridley born on a farm at Winchester but originated from Ashdown Forest in East Sussex. Her father was known as Boxer Ridley they eventuly settled in Blackmoor near Bordon where most of the family brother's and sister's worked for Lord Selborne who owned Blackmoor Estate.Also im related to a Ivy Stanley from Wiltshire who married a Tom Lee and lived in Alton Hampshire. All the best Andy
Mon Nov 2 18:52:14 2009

Tommy
i agree with horse and cart there was no need for the stick that Rosy got she was only making a point and yet there was a lot of double standards with comments such as people claming true Gypsy descent and claming that true Gypsy decent only from only the male name is utter nonsense? and others ranting about ending discussions and telling people they talk rubbish as if only what they had to say was true? well i for one enjoy a heated debate and happen to agree with a lot that Rosy had to say but i appreciate all comments so well done BBC bord for a great bord and Rosy for making a great debate.
Mon Nov 2 18:23:40 2009

Chris ws
Lillia, well said, here's something different, The field mushroom's are about, I had a good feed yesturday, hevenly taste with home cured bacon that no other mushroom cam compare to. happy hunting, Chris.
Mon Nov 2 15:36:53 2009

Chris ws
ROSIE M,Fair point, but if someone pay's you for doimg a job, yes you did the work for them, but I dont see that's the same as working for lets say a company ect, when I sell in a market I work for all the people that buy my ware's. Bokt Chris.
Mon Nov 2 15:28:15 2009

horse and cart
to all...(regarding rosies comments)...it seems u cant have your own opinion on here because when u do say smoething, everyone one on this board attacks ya ...rosie was only saying what she thinks...i dont agree with what a lot of people say ont this boerd, you dont see me come back and gang on any one !!!!NO because everyone has a right to there own opinion ...chill out everyone it is only a message board!!!!! and everyone keep on writing it is very entertaing to hear what every one has to say!!!!
Mon Nov 2 10:28:39 2009

Lillia
I was so looking forward to visiting this site after weeks of not having a computer, the first thing i did was to visit Romany Roots, but it's like i've never been away with all this talk of who's a full Rom or not, surely there are other things to talk about?
Sun Nov 1 20:15:25 2009

shannon
hello my name is shanon i was told about this site it looks good but lot of bickering not sending out a very good sound to the gorga commuinty i have been on the road for best part of me life and now i have brought a plase in hemstead medway i hope to get it past but who knows
Sun Nov 1 16:36:37 2009

ROSIE M
working for your self has nothing to do with being Romany. the old travellers found no shame in working for somebody else. they travelled miles to work on farms, fruit picking.hop picking and the likes. all the Gypsey Fairs that we still have today, Cambridge, Horsmonden,Stow to name a few only exist because the traveller's had earnt a few bob on the local farms and got together before moving on, the reason there's so many travellers in the Mitchum area is because many of them worked on the lavender fields. even today those of us that do Tarmacing, Tree Lopping,Roofing and the like are working for someone else. if some one pays you for job while your doing it you are infact working for them.. any ways I hope you all earn the best living you can, who ever you work for. ROSIE M
Sun Nov 1 11:45:02 2009

Chris Ridley
I've just confirmed my Gypsy ancestry, my Great great gandmother was Jane Stanley from Wareham dorset and her dad was Moses a razor grinder, I've gone back a few more generations and have confirmed all this with Parish records etc. I've got to say the I and the rest of my family are so happy with this news, it gives us a sense of belonging even though it's a long time ago. My wife is Jewish and I was always jealous of her tribal connection, well now I can also lay claim to an ancient, important and proud people.
Sat Oct 31 15:17:24 2009

Chris WS
Lil, I'm a so called traveller of 56 years old, and I've never worked for anyone but myself, also I dont know any of my so called traveller family that works for someone else, TRUTH ! Bokt Chris.
Fri Oct 30 14:57:29 2009

Rosie Smith
i know who ya mean now, my cousins daughter havent seen her or talk to her for so long to be honest i dont know what shes been up to, i talk to her dad tho, and he did say something to me about her being married,i think shes married to a gorger boy
Thu Oct 29 11:31:14 2009

Lil
I was on about your cousins daughter Phoebe Ripley. U must know who that it. Nice respectable girl, we've always got time for her. She has a sister but we cant remember her name now. Her mums related to the Webbs. But you'd know that.
Wed Oct 28 23:46:17 2009

Rosie Smith
Phoebe ????whos that,i have a daughter called pearly,but she dont even know what a kitchen looks like let alone wash a cup up lol,my pearly is at collage traineng to be a hair dresser not cus she needs the money cus she dont her dad and myself keep her well enough she dont need to work but she do's it cus she likes it, and one day plans to run her own har dressers
Wed Oct 28 10:14:42 2009

Lil
how can so called travellers say no-one in their family works for anyone else they all work for themselves. As if, the gorger way of life and your own way are not as different as you think!! In fact quite similar now. Oh and Rosie, is your Phoebe still a kitchen assistant? Lovely girl.
Tue Oct 27 12:44:40 2009

Jeff
Hi I am tracing my Romany Ancestry, my Great Grandmother was Harriet Sherred daughter of Moses Sherred from Andover, Odiham and the Three Legged Cross area of Hampshire. Please can anyone help out and push me in the right direction. Many thanks Jeff
Mon Oct 26 19:10:03 2009

bill martin
Lee no one saying how much Romany blood you need .What has been said is to be a Romany or Gypsy whatever you prefer then you must have some of their blood.Just because you live in a trailer and masquerade as as Romany or Gypsy does not make you one. And if you have gypsy Romany blood you dont have to live in a trailer or on a site to be a reckonised Romany GypsyA Scot has Scottish blood a Welshman has Welsh blood so and so on and a Romany or Gypsy has Romany bloodI agree there is no such person as a pure bred Romany or GypsyThe ones on this board spouting about being a pure Romany or Gypsy haS MOSTLY BEEN PROVED TO HAVE LESS Romany blood.I hope this sets you right on the thoughts of most Romany or Gypsy posters on this site. Kusti Bokt and I think Hamish should delete anymore posts on this subjectas it is divisionary
Mon Oct 26 12:36:33 2009

Shauna G
Well these schools can look down all they like i get that all the time but my kids deserve a chance too there will always be people with more money or less thats the way of life n actualy my fathers sisters families, my aunties all turned their backs n tryed to be toffee nosed n even my own brother does the same, that must happen alot i like You Rosie n thats face it u do live the ways of a romany im in a kenna n i dont see too much of alot of my rom relations. Lenny,s i was chattin to your Aunt Pat yesda....best to all.
Mon Oct 26 12:13:17 2009

Lee
Some of theses comments about purity and who has the bigger percentage of Romany blood are very unsettling,whats it all about.No one is completely certain about the origins of all travelling people in this country,and no one possibly can be unless we take blood samples from every traveller stretching back over the past few hundred years.I completley agree with Rosie Smith that its about the path you take,a strong awareness of the culture,adherence to certain principles and taboos,and being aware every day of the special nature of the Romany way.I once read about a very eminent person,i think he was a peer of the realm,or a knight,who had a little Romany blood,and it was said of him that his life was coloured completley by it,and in temprement in character he was every bit the Gypsy man.My own connection comes through my Maternal Great Grandmothers family,no idea who her Father or Grandfather were,but her great uncles family very successful horse and scrap dealers,one who had a very big house built for himself and Romany wife,who previously lived in a trailer with her family.So when i look at my family tree,which includes a gg grandfather on my Dads side who was a policeman,im pleased its diverse and not conventional.I think we should leave the racial purity nonsense to the idiots who have been in the news recently,and concentrate on fighting them.Incidently Rosie,are you the Lady who recently co-wrote a book called Old Days,New Ways,if so i have a distant connection to Dixies,Hearns,Deacons,Mobeys,Mathews.All the best,Lee.
Mon Oct 26 00:20:29 2009

Lenny.s
Rita,I wish i new all the old famili, i remember goin places wit me dad and him sayin this is your relation so and so, this happend loads times, i can remember Noras boy Tom stayin with us when i was chavvie. Your uncle George was only one i knew, he used same pub as dad an me .George used to wear a dikklo too, nani Dru said his boy young Georgy was spittin image of me uncle Fred,except for his FACE!!Bokt to all
Sun Oct 25 21:12:32 2009

Rosie Smith
hello Shauna G, my answer wasn't really for you,i ain't got no prob with you and never have had mate,like i said before i enjoy ya messages,to be honest i ain't got a problem with no one, unless they have with me,i am just discussing gypsies that's all,i don't expect anyone to agree with anything i got to say,everyone has a right to their own views on things,
Sun Oct 25 18:29:47 2009

Smally
Im from a locally well known travelling family from devon.most of us dont live the 'gypsy' way but many are still in caravans on land from our grandparents. My father won a scholarship in the 1930 s to go to grammer school which was unusual at the time but had 5 years of misery from racist abuse from pupils and even headheadmaster so was ashamed and turned away from the travelling lifestyle. Also died when i young. Anyway i went to stow horse fair expecting great chats and culture etc etc and only saw cheap markets of over priced goods people not smiling or talking and a sense of oneupmanship. Modern times eh
Sat Oct 24 11:49:22 2009