The Ball family from Cam

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Etsi
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Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:03 pm

The Ball family from Cam

Post by Etsi »

I’m trying to find information about my grandmother (Gladys Kent).

Very little is known about her early life, but I do know from the 1901 census that she was then living at 15 Church Street, Cirencester with her parents and siblings.

I’ve found that she married Joseph Charles Ball at Dursley in 1915 and I’m now trying to gain as much information as I can about him. I’m hoping that someone may be able to give me some help with this.

Sometime during the five years after this marriage they must have parted for some reason, because Gladys then met my grandfather. My mother was born in 1921.

It is only fairly recently that this marriage to Joseph Ball has come to light – no one in the family knew about it.

So what became of Joseph Ball?
Did he die? Did Gladys leave him for some reason?

The information I do have about Joseph Ball is:
Birth registered in Dursley 1887.
In 1901 census he’s living with his father Albert, mother Eliza and sister Ethel in Rowley, Cam.
In 1911 census he’s living with his aunt Annie and her mother Mary Ann in Lower Cam.
In 1915 (when he married Gladys) he’s living at 2 Railway Terrace, Cam.

In 1911 census Gladys is housemaid (along with four other female servants) in the home of Lionel Byng in Avening, Stroud.

Does anyone have any knowledge of the Ball family from Cam?
Also I would be grateful for any details regarding the census addresses mentioned.
Any information at all will be much appreciated.

dursleyglos
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Re: The Ball family from Cam

Post by dursleyglos »

I can't add much information but I do have a couple of photos which feature members of the Ball family circa 1901. The names mentioned include Amy, Ethel, Joseph, Vera and Emma. However the Joseph shown is around 50-60 and is said to be the Landlord of the Railway Inn in Cam so he cannot be the same person you mention.
Andy - Dursley Glos Web Admin

Etsi
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:03 pm

Re: The Ball family from Cam

Post by Etsi »

Hello Andy.

Thanks for replying to my query.
I’m grateful to receive any information at all regarding the Ball family.

I’ve just realised that I’ve made a mistake with the 1901 census details in my original post.
In 1891 Joseph Charles Ball is living with his father Albert, mother Eliza and sister Ethel in Rowley, Cam.
In 1901 he’s living with his grandparents (Joseph and Annie) and aunts (Annie and Amy) at the Station Inn, Lower Road, Cam.

So this probably means that the Joseph in your photos is the grandfather of Joseph Charles.
Perhaps Amy is an aunt and Ethel his sister.

The Railway Inn link seems to show that this is the right family in those photos.
Would it in any way be possible to see the photographs?
Are you aware of any of the Ball family still living in the area?
Does the Railway Inn still exist?

Maybe I’ll have to pay Cam a visit to investigate further!

Regards,
Les

dursleyglos
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Re: The Ball family from Cam

Post by dursleyglos »

I've attached a photo from 1901 showing:
Back (L-R) Red Hunt, Emma Ball
Middle (L-R) Mrs Ball (Granny), David Palmer (carpenter, Wotton-under-Edge), Amy Ball (mother of Miss Palser), Joseph Ball of Railway Inn, Cam.
Front (L-R) Beattie Theyer, Ethel Ball.

It's the Railway Inn (not Station Inn) and yes it is still trading.

A quick search on http://www.bt.com shows 17 Balls living in or near Dursley & Cam. Whether they are related I have no idea but the chances are probably good.
Attachments
Ball family of Cam, 1901
Ball family of Cam, 1901
cam_ball_family_1901.jpg (67.69 KiB) Viewed 6231 times
Andy - Dursley Glos Web Admin

Etsi
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Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:03 pm

Re: The Ball family from Cam

Post by Etsi »

Thanks Andy for the photo – much appreciated.

I think I’ve solved the mix up between the Railway/Station Inn.

The notes taken from the census seem to have been miswritten as Station Inn, Lower Road, Cam.
I think it should be Railway Inn, Station Road, Lower Cam – does that address make sense to you?
If it does, problem solved!

I’ll probably now try to contact some Balls from the Cam area to see if they can give me any further assistance.

Thanks again for your help.

Regards,
Les

dursleyglos
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Re: The Ball family from Cam

Post by dursleyglos »

Hello Les

Yes, you're exactly right, the address of the Railway inn is Station Road, Lower Cam.

Good luck with the continuing research!
Andy - Dursley Glos Web Admin

dursleyglos
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Re: The Ball family from Cam

Post by dursleyglos »

I thought you might be interested in this photograph taken outside the Railway Inn in 2006 on the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Dursley branch line.

A great day was had by all!
Attachments
Railway Inn, Cam - 150th anniversary of the opening of the Dursley branch line.
Railway Inn, Cam - 150th anniversary of the opening of the Dursley branch line.
dursley_railway_150th_sep23_2006_22.jpg (109.98 KiB) Viewed 6227 times
Andy - Dursley Glos Web Admin

Etsi
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Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:03 pm

Re: The Ball family from Cam

Post by Etsi »

Thanks again Andy.

I'll certainly be calling in at the Railway for a pint when I next get down to your part of the world.

All the best,
Les

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