Hello everyone,
I'm researching my family who lived around the Forest of Dean- the Polsons lived in Palmer's Flat and the Coombes family lived around Newland. I'm looking for general information about places to go in the area to find out more- All Saints Church in Newland will be my first stop as my great great great great grandparents, William and Letitia Coombes were married there in 1815. I'd be particularly inerested in knowing where people who lived in Palmer's Flat were buried, as I'm stuck on a William Polson who died around 1871. His widow Julia remarried in Coleford in 1873- it looks like the parish church in Coleford has been demolished? There's about 100 years of my family living in this area, from 1790 to 1890, so any other information about that time period would be wonderful.
Any help would be much appreciated, thank you in advance.

The original Parish church of St John was built in about 1821, restored in 1862- the octagonal "nave" was demolished leaving the clock tower in center of Coleford. ( The octagonal shape is unusual , however a similar style can be found in Parkend )

However a new church was built in about 1880 in a more elevated position.

http://www.fweb.org.uk/dean/towns/coleford.htm

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/GLS/Coleford/ROStJohn.html

Hi,
It might be possible that people from Palmers Flat were buried at Ellwood Chapel or at the cemetry in Coleford. Those are the two nearest that I know of.
Regards,
Sandra

Thank you to both of you for your help, it's much appreciated!

Hi Helen,

I am researching my family tree in the Coleford area. My Great Great Granddad was James Davies and he married a Jane Coombes. I am having problems tracing their marriage. One of there sons was Frederick James Davies who moved to Wales. Have you heard of them?

Thanks. Tina.

Hi Tina,
I've only got the one Jane Coombes listed in my research, born about 1754. She's not directly related to me (I'm descended from her brother Francis), so I don't have any details of who she married. This might be a bit early for you though- do you have details of a rough date you're looking at?
Kind regards,
Helen

England& Wales Free BMD Marriage Index
Possibly yours?
Name: Jane Combs
Name: James Davies
Year of Registration: 1873
Quarter of Registration: Jan/Feb/March
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County:Gloucestershire/Herefordshire/Monmouthshire
Volume: 11a
Page: 29

If this is 'your' James and Jane, the full marriage details are on the Parish Register section of this website

1881 England Census
Elizabeth Davis abt 1880 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Frederick Davis abt 1876 Westdean, Gloucestershire, England Son Aston Ingham Herefordshire
James Davis abt 1853 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Head Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Jane Davis abt 1852 Coleford, Gloucestershire, England Wife Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Jessie Davis abt 1873 Coleford, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Aston Ingham Herefordshire

England & Wales Free BMD Marriage Index
Name: Frederick James Davies
Name: Mary Harriett Davies
Year of Registration: 1900
Quarter of Registration: April/May/June
District: Merthry Tydfil
County: Breconshire/Glamorgan/Mid Glamorgan
Volume:11a
Page: 1017

1901 Wales Census
Frederick J Davies abt 1875 Gloucestershire, England Head Merthyr Glamorgan
Mary H Davies abt 1878 Glam Dowlais, Wife Merthyr Glamorgan

ANDREW DAVIS
---------------------------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth:
Christening: 23 APR 1826 Pauntley, Gloucester, England
-----------------------------------------
Parents:
Father: GEORGE DAVIS
Mother: ANN
------------------------------------------------------
Messages:
Extracted birth or christening record for the locality listed in the record.
The source records are usually arranged chronologically by the birth or christening date.
---------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Batch No.: Dates: Source Call No.: Type: Printout Call No.: Type:
C030981 1538 - 1613 0423280 Film 6911795 Film
C030981 1813 - 1856 0091538 Film NONE
Sheet: 00

1841
Andrew Davis abt 1827 Gloucestershire, England Corse Gloucestershire
George Elliott abt 1828 Gloucestershire, England Corse Gloucestershire
John Elliott abt 1827 Gloucestershire, England Corse Gloucestershire

appear to be farm workers

1851
Andrew Davies abt 1825 Upleadon, Gloucestershire, England Lodger English Bicknor Gloucestershire ??

1861
Adrew Davis abt 1821 Pauntley, Gloucestershire, England Head English Bicknor Gloucestershire
Hannah Davis abt 1819 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Wife English Bicknor Gloucestershire
George Davis abt 1855 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Son English Bicknor Gloucestershire
James Davis abt 1853 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Son English Bicknor Gloucestershire

1871
James Davis abt 1853 Joyford, Gloucestershire, England Servant English Bicknor Gloucestershire ??

1881 Aston Ingham
James Davis abt 1853 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Head Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Jane Davis abt 1852 Coleford, Gloucestershire, England Wife Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Elizabeth Davis abt 1880 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Frederick Davis abt 1876 Westdean, Gloucestershire, England Son Aston Ingham Herefordshire
Jessie Davis abt 1873 Coleford, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Aston Ingham Herefordshire

1891
James Davis abt 1852 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head Weston Herefordshire
Jessie Davis abt 1873 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Weston Herefordshire
Edward Davis abt 1883 Lea, Herefordshire, England Son Weston Herefordshire
Frank Davis abt 1885 Lea, Herefordshire, England Son Weston Herefordshire

Frederick Davies abt 1876 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Servant Lea Herefordshire ???

1901 17 David St Upper Merthyr Tydfil Wales
Frederick J Davies abt 1875 Gloucestershire, England Head Merthyr Glamorgan
Mary H Davies abt 1878 Glam Dowlais, Wife Merthyr Glamorgan

1841 Innwood Newland
William Coombs abt 1781 Newland Gloucestershire
Letita Coombs abt 1796 Newland Gloucestershire
Edward Coombs abt 1826 Gloucestershire, England Newland Gloucestershire
James Coombs abt 1833 Gloucestershire, England Newland Gloucestershire
William Coombs abt 1827 Gloucestershire, England Newland Gloucestershire

1851
Edward Coombs abt 1824 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Head Newland Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Coombs abt 1825 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Wife Newland Gloucestershire
Emanual Coombs abt 1846 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son Newland Gloucestershire
Jane Coombs abt 1850 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Newland Gloucestershire
Richard Coombs abt 1848 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son Newland Gloucestershire
William Coombs abt 1844 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son Newland Gloucestershire

1861 Scowles nr Coleford
Edward Coombs abt 1822 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Head Coleford and Newland Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Coombs abt 1823 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Wife Coleford and Newland Gloucestershire
Edward Coombs abt 1859 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son Coleford and Newland Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Coombs abt 1860 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Coleford and Newland Gloucestershire
Emanuel Coombs abt 1847 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son Coleford and Newland Gloucestershire
Jane Coombs abt 1851 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Coleford and Newland Gloucestershire
John Coombs abt 1857 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son Coleford and Newland Gloucestershire
Mark Coombs abt 1853 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son Coleford and Newland Gloucestershire
Mary Ann Coombs abt 1855 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Coleford and Newland Gloucestershire
Richard Coombs abt 1849 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son Coleford and Newland Gloucestershire
William Coombs abt 1844 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son Coleford and Newland Gloucestershire

1871
Jane Combs abt 1851 Scowles, Gloucestershire, England Servant English Bicknor Gloucestershire

GEORGE DAVIS
--------------------------------------------------------
Event(s):
Birth:
Christening: 13 MAY 1798 Newent, Gloucester, England
------------------------------------------------
Parents:
Father: WILLIAM DAVIS
Mother: MARGARET

1841 As transcribed

Jewson House (?) nr Pauntley Church
George Danis abt 1801 Gloucestershire, England Pauntley Gloucestershire
Ann Danis abt 1801 Gloucestershire, England Pauntley Gloucestershire
Benjamin Danis abt 1834 Gloucestershire, England Pauntley Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Danis abt 1835 Gloucestershire, England Pauntley Gloucestershire
Josiah Danis abt 1824 Gloucestershire, England Pauntley Gloucestershire
Paul Danis abt 1838 Gloucestershire, England Pauntley Gloucestershire
Sarah Danis abt 1824 Gloucestershire, England Pauntley Gloucestershire

1851 The Wood (!)
George Davis abt 1797 Newent, Gloucestershire, England Head Upleadon Gloucestershire
Ann Davis abt 1801 Dymock, Gloucestershire, England Wife Upleadon Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Davis abt 1834 Pauntley, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Upleadon Gloucestershire
Josia Davis abt 1822 Pauntley, Gloucestershire, England Son Upleadon Gloucestershire
Paul Davis abt 1837 Pauntley, Gloucestershire, England Son Upleadon Gloucestershire

Benjamin Davis abt 1829 Upleadon, Gloucestershire, England Servant Blaisdon Gloucestershire

Opposite side of Coleford to Palmers Flat

1841 Whitecliff
Joseph Coombs abt 1816 Gloucestershire, England Newland Gloucestershire
Mary Coombs abt 1821 Gloucestershire, England Newland Gloucestershire

1841 Innwood Newland
William Coombs abt 1781 Newland Gloucestershire
Letita Coombs abt 1796 Newland Gloucestershire
Edward Coombs abt 1826 Gloucestershire, England Newland Gloucestershire
James Coombs abt 1833 Gloucestershire, England Newland Gloucestershire
William Coombs abt 1827 Gloucestershire, England Newland Gloucestershire

1851 Whitecliff
Joseph Coombs abt 1815 Bristol Head Newland Gloucestershire
Mary Coombs abt 1818 Awre, Gloucestershire, England Wife Newland Gloucestershire
Charles Coombs abt 1847 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son Newland Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Coombs abt 1842 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Newland Gloucestershire
George Coombs abt 1845 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son Newland Gloucestershire
William Coombs abt 1781 West Draynes, Norway Father Newland Gloucestershire

Is father Nottingham West Bridges (??) Bridgeford would make some sense !

as transcribed

1841 Clearwell Lane End
George Poulson abt 1816 Gloucestershire, England Newland Gloucestershire
Margaret Poulson abt 1816 Gloucestershire, England Newland Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Poulson abt 1839 Gloucestershire, England Newland Gloucestershire

1851
William Davies abt 1768 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Wifes Father Newland Gloucestershire
Thomas Jones abt 1818 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Head Newland Gloucestershire
Margrett Jones abt 1812 Mutford, Gloucestershire, England Wife Newland Gloucestershire
Mary Ann Jones abt 1849 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Newland Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Polsbon abt 1840 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Wifes Daughter Newland Gloucestershire
George Polsbon abt 1842 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Wifes Son Newland Gloucestershire
William Polsbon abt 1844 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Wifes Son Newland Gloucestershire

1861
Thomas Jones abt 1818 Clearwell, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean Gloucestershire
Margaret Jones abt 1811 Clearwell, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean Gloucestershire
Maryann Jones abt 1849 Clearwell, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
George Polsom abt 1842 Clearwell, Gloucestershire, England Wifes Son West Dean Gloucestershire
William Polsom abt 1844 Clearwell, Gloucestershire, England Wifes Son West Dean Gloucestershire

1871 Coalway Lane End
George Rolsom abt 1842 Platwell, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean Gloucestershire
Jane Rolsom abt 1842 St Brevils, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean Gloucestershire
John Rolsom abt 1871 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
William Rolsom abt 1869 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire

1881 Clearwell
George Polsom abt 1842 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Head Newland Gloucestershire
Jane Polsom abt 1843 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Wife Newland Gloucestershire
George Polsom abt 1874 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Newland Gloucestershire
Fanny Polsom abt 1879 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Newland Gloucestershire
William Polsom abt 1869 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son Newland Gloucestershire

1891 Clearwell
George Polson abt 1841 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Head Newland Gloucestershire
Jane Polson abt 1848 St Briavels, Gloucestershire, England Wife Newland Gloucestershire
Emma Polson abt 1882 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Newland Gloucestershire
George Polson abt 1874 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son Newland Gloucestershire

1901
George Polson abt 1841 Plutwell Clearwell, Gloucestershire, England Head Newland Gloucestershire
Jane Polson abt 1843 St Briavels, Gloucestershire, England Wife Newland Gloucestershire
Emma J Polson abt 1882 Clearwell, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Newland Gloucestershire

Thanks for all that research, slowhands and bertha, hopefully Tina can pick out her relatives in those listings.

Tina, I have links to practically all of the Polsons/Coombes families listed above, if you can trace your family into any of them let me know, as I have a lot of information to share :)

Helen

Helen, Bertha & Slowhands. What can I say. You hit the nail right on the head! Frederick did indeed marry Mary in Merthyr Tydfill. That is definitely the one. I will now sieve through the details. I can't thank you all enough for that info. If I can give anyone anything of what I have found please let me know.

Yours very gratefully.

Tina

Hi Tina,
Thanks for your email, sorry for the delay I've just discovered it in my bulk email folder!
I'm not connected in any way to the Coombes clan but glad I was able to help

Regards B

I appreciate this is a posting from 2005. Helen - are you still on this list? Still interested in this POLSON line?
Thanks also to 'slowhands' who replied to Helen's original posting in 2005 and did a wonderful job of transcribing census records for the POLSON family. You have saved me a large amount of time as I can now go straight to these images without having to search for them first.
With thanks.
Jenny