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The Ball family from Cam

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:10 pm
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.

Re: The Ball family from Cam

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 10:23 pm
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.

Re: The Ball family from Cam

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:03 pm
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

Re: The Ball family from Cam

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:18 pm
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.

Re: The Ball family from Cam

Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 5:32 pm
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

Re: The Ball family from Cam

Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:04 pm
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!

Re: The Ball family from Cam

Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:11 pm
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!

Re: The Ball family from Cam

Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 4:08 pm
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