Dufty/Lewis/Kear Family - Forest of Dean (General)

by unknown, Friday, August 19, 2011, 08:18 (4919 days ago) @ unknown

Hi Paul
The info I've scratched together does point to a William and Jane Kear and their family leaving the forest and going to NZ. See http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ourstuff/CardiganCastle.htm
This William Kear appears in NZ electroral rolls up until 1880-1881, he is then recorded in Glebe, New South Wales in 1888 in his daughter Fanny's marriage announcement. Mary (daughter born in West Dean in 1863) is recorded as remaining and marrying in NZ, and she is said to be the only one who remained in NZ. I haven't yet found a record for the family crossing the Tasman so I can't say for sure who went over to Australia, but this is not uncommon at that time. There is a record of an Oliver Kear marrying in New South Wales and a death record in NSW that states his parents as William and Jane.
I'm not a direct descendent of William and Jane so others probably have more definitive info.
Good luck sorting out the puzzle and look forward to knowing how you get on.
Kylie.