John James Tyrrell, once the "Grand Old Man" of Harwich, was a centenarian, one of the last surviving veterans of the Crimean War, a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters for seventy years, and perhaps one of Essex's saltiest seadogs. Tyrrell was born on April 25 1834, the son of John & Elizabeth Tyrrell, … Continue reading John James Tyrrell: A Brief Sketch
The Ideas of March
In order to build up a bit more content on here, next month will be a 'special' month of sorts, encompassing a range of topics and ideas. While this blog is specifically about Harwich history, there will be a bit of "one or the other" about the posts, including one that will hopefully be helpful … Continue reading The Ideas of March
HPFC: The FA Cup & The Three First Wins
One of the more interesting aspects of historical research, particularly when it comes to Harwich, is that little is ever straightforward or linear, no matter how broad or narrow the subject matter is. It can be frustrating, but it invariably leads to a better 'story', or conclusion. Even a question such as "When was Harwich … Continue reading HPFC: The FA Cup & The Three First Wins
An Alden Branch & A Genealogy Tip
A double feature this time, as this post will discuss a branch of the Alden family of Harwich - who I have talked about in the past - and in the process offer up a search method that may help genealogists out in their ancestry quest. So, to the second child of John & Elizabeth … Continue reading An Alden Branch & A Genealogy Tip
On This Day: January 26
1576 (OS): Simon Jones, the younger brother of Christopher Jones, master of the Mayflower, was buried at the church of Harwich St Nicholas. 1854: The death is recorded of Charlotte Norris at Ullinish, on the Isle of Skye. Charlotte was the widow of William Norris, former Captain of the packet ship Beaufoy, of Harwich, who … Continue reading On This Day: January 26
Fangt die Taube
Wilhelm Friedrich Weischedel was born in the Württemberg state, or kingdom, of Germany in about 1846, and in the early 1880s he emigrated to England with his wife and three children, his fourth and final child being baptised in Camden, London, in April 1882. Frederick Weischedel, as he typically went by, was a cabinet maker … Continue reading Fangt die Taube
Fresh Air
Happy New Year everyone! Let's begin the year by viewing the tale of a visitor's trip to Harwich in the 1890s, as part of a letter that was a prize winner in the Newcastle Chronicle. On our first morning we sat down on the sand by the sea wall to breathe the ozone, and to … Continue reading Fresh Air
Albert “Tully” Day: A Harwich & Parkeston Great
Albert James Day, better known as Tully Day, was born in 1910, and baptised at the church of St Paul in Parkeston on the 11th of December that year. Certain records give his birth date as the 10th of October, making the shorthand 10/10/10 - the perfect ten would come in to play later in … Continue reading Albert “Tully” Day: A Harwich & Parkeston Great
On This Day: December 14
1531 (OS): John Holland became Vicar of Dovercourt-cum-Harwich, following the death of Richard Strowgth (aka Strought). He stayed for only two years before moving on. 1611 (OS): The burial is recorded of "Lucas [blank] nauta servus Galfridi Pells de Lynne regis", one of the more interesting burials of the time - this translates as "Luke … Continue reading On This Day: December 14
Father Christmas
No festive season can be complete without discussing this particular character. But no, rather than trying to suggest Santa was a Harwich creation, this post is instead about Reverend William Henry Christmas. William was born in 1824 in Cambridge, the son of Thomas Christmas and Ann Argent Christmas. His education was firmly Cambridge-based, first attending … Continue reading Father Christmas
Harwicensis 