Browsing back to 2005 through the forum I noticed a topic on Forest Miners who emigrated to the USA in late 1800, early 1900.

I have traced my grandmother's (Rhoda Johns (nee Turner)) brother Rowland Turner to the USA in this period. He was born 24/05/1884 and married Emily Stephens on 05/10/1907. With their first-born, Olive, they emigrated to US and landed at Ellis Island 16/12/1910 having travelled on SS Mauretania. They eventually settled in Canton,IL and raised a family. I need advice on how to research this family if it is at all possible.

I am fascinated by a story that my Gran told me. Whilst on ARP duty in WW II in Cheltenham she was confronted by a nephew(?) who was serving in the US forces stationed in England and I believe that he must have been one of the Rowland Turner's descendents. The task is slightly sentimental as my late father's second given name was Rowland.

A Monmouth Johns in England

The 1920 US census shows the following family in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois

Rowland A Turner 34
Emily 33
Olive 10
Marjorie 7
Corrine 5
Harriet 2 6/12
William 1/12

William is probably the nephew you refer to.

SSDI shows Rowland Turner born May 24, 1884 died Jan 1965

There are presently five Turners in the Canton telephone directory. A letter to each of them might prove helpful

1881
William Turner abt 1824 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head Westbury on Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
Ann Turner abt 1839 Aston Ingham, Hereford, England Wife Westbury on Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
Bertha Turner abt 1863 Linton, Hereford, England Daughter Westbury on Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Turner abt 1867 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Westbury on Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
Marey.J. Turner abt 1871 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Westbury on Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
Catherine Turner abt 1873 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Westbury on Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
Scharlott Turner abt 1875 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Westbury on Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
George Turner abt 1877 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Westbury on Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
Alma A.G. Turner abt 1879 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Westbury on Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire

1891
William Turner abt 1831 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Ann Turner abt 1841 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Agnes Turner abt 1882 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Bertha Turner abt 1865 Linton, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Bessie Turner abt 1868 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Emily Turner abt 1874 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
George Turner abt 1877 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
May Turner abt 1872 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Rlwda Turner abt 1886 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Rowland Turner abt 1884 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire

1901
William Turner abt 1828 Sea Bailey, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Ram Turner abt 1840 Astoningham, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
George Turner abt 1876 Harry Hill Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Rowland Turner abt 1883 Harry Hill Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Rhoda Turner abt 1887 Harry Hill Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

Thanks for that. I will take your advice.

The family is listed on the RootsWeb site but the trail was cold after that.

Regards,
DJ

Yep. Thanks for that ... and that leads to a few more stories. (Alma) Agnes Turner married into one line of the Meek family and then the Hill's of Aston Inghma get involved in the Turner's past. Quite confusing but very rewarding to sort out.

Regards,

DJ

Having heard from Helenium235 (and forwarded the certificate as promised) He has pointed me in the right direction on one point. Roland Turners grandfather was George Turner who was deceased at the 4.8.1862 marriage of his father William Turner to Anna Hill.

My previous information was based upon census data but the F o D site parish records prove otherwise.

I am grateful to Helenium235 as we must always strive to get it right.

Jim Ashton

Thanks for the Death Certificate for Rowland Turner. There are a couple more clues in that doc which make tracing relatives a lot easier and thanks to Dewey for the clues in Canton White Directory.

The sad irony is that, having 'escaped' the Forest mines, it appears that Rowland died of repiratory disease rather than the pneumonocosis that he could have had if he had stayed here!

Tks all for yr help. Roll on FODFH site!

DJ

As you say Richard Rowland born 24.5.1884 married Emily Stephens 5.10.1907. Emily was the daughter of William Stephens 1860 & Elizabeth Cinderey. Elizabeth Cinderey being the daughter of William Cinderey 1825 & Esther Meek, their daughter Sarah Ann married Richard Meek – there is a posting on this family. (Richard Meek being the son of Richard Vaughan Meek & Hannah Harrison.)

Rowland Turner's sister Agnes married Ernest Thomas Meek who was the son of the above Richard Meek & Sarah Ann Cinderey. Ernest Thomas Meek & Agnes had 9 children.

Rowland Turner was the son of William Turner 1833 and Anna Hill 1841 Rowland was one of their 11 children. The parents of William Turner 1833 were William Turner 1801 & Maria James who had 7 children including George Turner born 1845 who married Elizabeth Marfell 28.6.1849, illegitimate daughter of Abia Marfell 1830.

I will be meeting the great grand daughter of George Turner & Elizabeth Marfell in Perth next month whilst on a 30 day tour of Australia. As it is in the public domain I am sure that Kerryl will not mind others reading an item that she did for BBC Radio Gloucester :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/focus/2003/08/forest_ancestors.shtml

I could go on, but will end recommending taking a look at my favourite family tree picture I submitted to the Forest of Dean web site – Ed Molls Bar, there you will see George Turners son Oliver, taken outside a bar in Oglesby Illinois about 1910 with a group of migrant Forestors.

I have a copy of Rowland's death certificate I could email to you if you would like one. Click on my email link.

Jim Ashton