Hi
My name is John Merry.
I am the grandson of Austin James Merry, born Westbury on Severn - September 22 1908.
I would like to know how I would go about finding his parents names?
I recall he had brothers Jack (John), Cyril, Eric and William.
Any help would be appreciated.

Warmest Regards

John Merry

I suspect your links are here :---

Name: Merry, Austin James
Record Type: Births
Quarter: December
Year: 1908
District: Westbury on Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 248

Confirm parents from a Birth Cert...

One of the Merry offspring in
1901 ?
Joseph Merry abt 1867 Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire, England Head Castleford Yorkshire
Kate Merry abt 1875 Leeds, Yorkshire, England Wife Castleford Yorkshire
James Merry abt 1896 Castleford, Yorkshire, England Son Castleford Yorkshire

and then the "probable" tree

1891 Plump Hill
John Merry abt 1843 Bosleath, Staffordshire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire
Harriett Merry abt 1843 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean Gloucestershire
Albert Merry abt 1876 Plump Hill, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Allan Merry abt 1880 Plump Hill, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Merry abt 1886 Plump Hill, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
Frances Merry abt 1882 Plump Hill, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
Mary A Merry abt 1878 Plump Hill, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire

1881Plump Hill ? Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire, England
John Merry abt 1843 Birmingham Head
Harriett Merry abt 1843 May Hill, Gloucestershire, England Wife
Albert Merry abt 1875 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
Allen Merry abt 1880 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
Dinah Merry abt 1868 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter
George Merry abt 1872 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
John Merry abt 1870 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
Joseph Merry abt 1867 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
Mary Merry abt 1878 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter
Tom Merry abt 1864 The Lea, Gloucestershire, England Son

1871
John Merry abt 1842 Rosall Heath, Worcestershire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire
Harriett Merry abt 1842 May Hill, Worcestershire, England Wife East Dean Gloucestershire
Dinah Merry abt 1868 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
Emma Merry abt 1862 Abbenhall, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
John Merry abt 1870 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Joseph Merry abt 1866 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Thos Merry abt 1864 Lea Bailey, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire

1861
Joseph Merry abt 1813 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Head Longhope Gloucestershire
Charlotte Merry abt 1808 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Wife Longhope Gloucestershire
Eliza Merry abt 1849 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Longhope Gloucestershire
John Merry abt 1842 Balsall Heath, Warwickshire, England Son Longhope Gloucestershire

1851
Joseph Merry abt 1814 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Head Longhope Gloucestershire
Charlotte Merry abt 1809 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Wife Longhope Gloucestershire
Eliza Merry abt 1849 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Longhope Gloucestershire
John Merry abt 1843 Balsall; Heath Son Longhope Gloucestershire
Joseph Merry abt 1847 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Son Longhope

1841?
Joseph Merry abt 1816 Wolverhampton Staffordshire

Hi John
Thought you would like you know, that my family (the Symonds) lived next door to your John Merry on the 1871 census at The Plump
Also my son Stephen married a Julie Merry who is the daughter of Bernard Merry son of John Kenneth Merry brother of Austin James Merry.
Regards
Gill

Thank You slowhands

This information is amazingly helpful.

Are you related in some way?

Warmest Regards

JM

John Kenneth Merry is/was my Uncle Jack.

Brother to my grandfather Austin James Merry.

His son Bernard had a daughter who came to North America to study. It was in the 1980's. She would visit in Canada before departing for the south eastern US.

Do you know if this person was Julie?

Thank You for your response.

JM

Hi John
Yes its the same Julie, as far as I know she was born in Americia, what a small world, your Merry family living next door to my Symonds family. My grandmother was Leah Matilida Symonds and I suspect she was named after the Leah that I found living next door to your family.

Are you in contact with Julie or her family. If not I could give you their address.

Its a bit sad because Stephen & Julie are getting divorced, so have not been in contact with the family for a little while.
I only started looking into the Merry family when I found a Merry living in the same village, I think todate they do not know I have done the family tree.

I look forward to hearing from you again
Regards
Gill

Hi Gill

Is your Symond's family interrelated to the Symond's of Symond's Yat?
I have seen a photo of the view - great location.

My family took a trip to England and visited Bernard, my Aunt Noreen keeps in touch with him. Unfortunately I couldn't make the trip.
I'd love to see Mitcheldean, I've heard much about growing up there.

I'd appreciate Julie's address or email address. She may know where I can find photographs of these people.

I'll keep in touch and send you whatever I find concerning these families.

Warmest Regards

John Merry

I actually have some old photos of Elizabeth Merry who would later marry Charles Probert.
I can send these if you like.

Dave Probert

A forester in Australia

John his parents were Willim and Amy, I have some records I'll dig out that cousin Linda sent. Aunt Carole

My father was Austin James Merry, his father was Allen or Allan Merry wife Charlotte at Plump Hill. My father emigrated to Canada at 19 and married here, I'm his youngest daughter Carole Merry McDowell. I know he had several brothers and a sister Dorothy. I've received much information from a cousin who's grandmother was the sister of my grandmother. I find it very hard to find information on my grandfather Allan Merry. Do you have further info, or know where I can information on the Merry family on my grandfather's side. My father died in 1992 with all his family, and grandchildren by his side. He was much loved, he fought in WWII and was stationed for the first 6 mos, 20 miles from his parents home in Mitcheldean and this was the first time he had seen them since he left in 1929 for Canada. Thanks for any or all information.

My name is Carole Merry McDowell and live in Canada. My father was Austin James Merry and emigrated to Canada at the age of 19 in 1929. He passed away in 1992. My grandfather was Allan Merry or Allen Merry. I have quite a bit of information on my grandmother Charlotte's family tree but nothing on the Merry family tree. Anything you can give me I would appreciate. My father had I think 5 brothers and one sister Dorothy, one of his brother's John married May ? and had a son Bernard. My father and mother visited Mitcheldean is 1969, also my sister and father visited I think around 1985 or 86 and also visited with Bernard. I gave up hope of getting information on Allen Merry my grandfather and haven't bothered with searching for several years now. My cousin Linda Ferris (her grandmother Amy was my grandmother's sister) and she provided a lot of information on my grandmother's side of the family. Hope you can help me. Thanks Carole (nee Merry) McDowell ps. I would like to have this information not only for my brother Austin Hugh Merry but my sister Noreen, I have one of my three children interested as well.

Sorry John, losing it, his name was Allen or Allan of course. will send info on Charlotte (grandmother) her sister was Amy last name of our grandmother was Smith. A. Carole

Year: 1880
Month: Feb
Day: 1

Parents Surname: MERRY
Child Forenames: Allen
Father's Forenames: John
Mother's Forenames: Harriet
Mother's Surname:
Place of Residence: East-Dean
Occupation: Miner
Officiating Minister: S.J. Johnson Rector
Event type: Baptism
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P1 IN 1/8
Page No: 61
Parish_Chapel: Abenhall

1901
Daniel Smith abt 1835 Little Brute, Herefordshire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Eliza Smith abt 1840 Tenters, Monmouthshire, Wales Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Florence Smith abt 1887 Hope Mansel, Herefordshire, England Granddaughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Allen Merry abt 1880 Phinp Hill, Gloucestershire, England Son-in-law East Dean, Gloucestershire
Charlotte Merry abt 1880 Hope Mansel, Herefordshire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Wm Allen Merry abt 1900 Wigpool, Gloucestershire, England Grandson East Dean, Gloucestershire

Year: 1900
Month: Mar
Day: 3

Groom Surname: MERRY
Groom Forenames: Allan
Groom Age at Marriage: 20
Groom condition: Bachelor
Groom Rank or Profession: Collier
Groom Residence: The Plump
Groom Father's Surname: Merry
Groom Father's Forenames: John
Groom Father's Rank or Profession: Collier

Bride Surname: SMITH
Bride Forenames: Charlotte
Bride Age at Marriage: 20
Bride Condition: Spinster
Bride Rank or Profession: [not stated]
Bride Residence: Wigpool
Bride Father's Surname: Smith
Bride Father's Forenames: Daniel
Bride Father's Rank or Profession: Road maker
Licence or Banns: Banns
Date of banns: [not stated]
Signature or Mark: both sign
Witness 1: Mark of Daniel Smith
Witness 2: Emily Smith
Other witnesses:
Officiating Minister: James Lawton Vicar
Event type: Marriage
Memoranda:
Transcriber's Notes:
Register Reference: P109 IN 1/8
Page No: 237
Parish_Chapel: Drybrook

1891
John Merry abt 1843 Bosleath, Staffordshire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Harriett Merry abt 1843 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Albert Merry abt 1876 Plump Hill, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Allan Merry abt 1880 Plump Hill, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Merry abt 1886 Plump Hill, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Frances Merryabt 1882 Plump Hill, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mary A Merry abt 1878 Plump Hill, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire

1881Plump Hill ? Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire, England
John Merry abt 1843 Birmingham Head
Harriett Merry abt 1843 May Hill, Gloucestershire, England Wife
Albert Merry abt 1875 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
Allen Merry abt 1880 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
Dinah Merry abt 1868 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter
George Merry abt 1872 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
John Merry abt 1870 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
Joseph Merry abt 1867 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
Mary Merry abt 1878 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter
Tom Merry abt 1864 The Lea, Gloucestershire, England Son

1871
John Merry abt 1842 Rosall Heath, Worcestershire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire
Harriett Merry abt 1842 May Hill, Worcestershire, England Wife East Dean Gloucestershire
Dinah Merry abt 1868 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
Emma Merry abt 1862 Abbenhall, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
John Merry abt 1870 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Joseph Merry abt 1866 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Thos Merry abt 1864 Lea Bailey, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire

1861
Joseph Merry abt 1813 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Head Longhope Gloucestershire
Charlotte Merry abt 1808 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Wife Longhope Gloucestershire
Eliza Merry abt 1849 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Longhope Gloucestershire
John Merry abt 1842 Balsall Heath, Warwickshire, England Son Longhope Gloucestershire

1851
Joseph Merry abt 1814 Arlingham, Gloucestershire, England Head Longhope Gloucestershire
Charlotte Merry abt 1809 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Wife Longhope Gloucestershire
Eliza Merry abt 1849 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Longhope Gloucestershire
John Merry abt 1843 Balsall; Heath Son Longhope Gloucestershire
Joseph Merry abt 1847 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Son Longhope

1841?
Joseph Merry abt 1816 Wolverhampton Staffordshire

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

Thank you for all the information, I'm not very good at reading birth registry's but I can see my grandfather had brothers and sisters, Thank you again. Will pass on the information to my family. Sincerely Carole McDowell

I have just added some photos of Elizabeth Merry and her parents John and Harriet Merry on the web site. I believe these are your relatives

Hi Slowhands
Very interesting to read your
research on Allen Merry.
Im a decsendent of His eldest brother
Tom, who together with brothers
John & Joseph moved up too Castleford,
West Yorks to work in the pits.

Hi Probsy4
I'm looking for info on John Merry.
My Merry had 3 sons who moved up too
Yorks & others George, allen, & daughters
Emma,& Dinah.who stayed in Gloucestershire.
Regards John

1901
John Merry abt 1871 Miselderman, Gloucestershire, England Head Castleford, Yorkshire
Ellen Merry John abt 1867 Soham, Staffordshire, England Wife Castleford, Yorkshire
Albert Merry abt 1894 Castleford, Yorkshire, England Son Castleford, Yorkshire
Annie Merry abt 1897 Castleford, Yorkshire, England Daughter Castleford, Yorkshire
John R Merry abt 1893 Castleford, Yorkshire, England Son Castleford, Yorkshire
Nellie Merry abt 1899 Castleford, Yorkshire, England Daughter Castleford, Yorkshire

Name: Ellen Mason
Name: John Merry
Year of Registration: 1892
Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
District: Pontefract
County: Yorkshire - West Riding, West Yorkshire
Volume: 9c
Page: 162

1891
Tom Marry abt 1855 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head Castleford, Yorkshire
Martha Jane Marry abt 1864 Castleford, Yorkshire, England Wife Castleford, Yorkshire
John Marry abt 1871 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Brother Castleford, Yorkshire
Joseph Marry abt 1867 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Brother Castleford, Yorkshire

Year: 1870
Month: Jun
Day: 4
Parents_Surname: MERRY
Child_Forenames: John
Fathers_Forenames: John
Mothers_Forenames: Harriet
Mothers_Surname:
Residence: East Dean
Occupation: Miner
Officiating_Minister: John Senior
Event: Baptism
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P1 IN 1/8
Page_Number: 31
Parish_Chapel: Abenhall

1881 Plump Hill ? East Dean, Gloucestershire, England
John Merry abt 1843 Birmingham Head
Harriett Merry abt 1843 May Hill, Gloucestershire, England Wife
Albert Merry abt 1875 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
Allen Merry abt 1880 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
Dinah Merry abt 1868 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter
George Merry abt 1872 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
John Merry abt 1870 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
Joseph Merry abt 1867 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Son
Mary Merry abt 1878 Eastdean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter
Tom Merry abt 1864 The Lea, Gloucestershire, England Son

1871
John Merry abt 1842 Rosall Heath, Worcestershire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire
Harriett Merry abt 1842 May Hill, Worcestershire, England Wife East Dean Gloucestershire
Dinah Merry abt 1868 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
Emma Merry abt 1862 Abbenhall, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean Gloucestershire
John Merry abt 1870 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Joseph Merry abt 1866 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Thos Merry abt 1864 Lea Bailey, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire

< prior note for rest of siblings>

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

Just to confirm - now we have the Parish records to work from :-)

Year: 1908
Month: Nov
Day: 8
Parents_Surname: MERRY
Child_Forenames: Austin James
Fathers_Forenames: Allen
Mothers_Forenames: Charlotte
Mothers_Surname:
Residence: East Dean Gloucester
Occupation: Collier
Officiating_Minister: J. H. Batt
Event: Baptism
Memoranda: United Ruardean Chapel [?]
Notes:
Register_Reference: D2598 5/6
Page_Number: 96
Parish_Chapel: Forest of Dean Bible Christian Circuit

1901
Daniel Smith abt 1835 Little Brute, Herefordshire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Eliza Smith abt 1840 Tenters, Monmouthshire, Wales Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Allen Merry abt 1880 Phinp Hill, Gloucestershire, England Son-in-law East Dean, Gloucestershire
Charlotte Merry abt 1880 Hope Mansel, Herefordshire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Wm Allen Merry abt 1900 Wigpool, Gloucestershire, England Grandson East Dean, Gloucestershire
Florence Smith abt 1887 Hope Mansel, Herefordshire, England Granddaughter East Dean, Gloucestershire

Year: 1900
Month: Mar
Day: 3
Grooms_Surname: MERRY
Grooms_Forenames: Allan
Grooms_Age: 20
Groom_Condition: Bachelor
Grooms_Occupation: Collier
Grooms_Residence: The Plump
Grooms_Fathers_Surname: Merry
Grooms_Fathers_Forenames: John
Grooms_Fathers_Occupation: Collier
Brides_Surname: SMITH
Brides_Forenames: Charlotte
Brides_Age: 20
Brides_Condition: Spinster
Brides_Occupation: [not stated]
Brides_Residence: Wigpool
Brides_Fathers_Surname: Smith
Brides_Fathers_Forenames: Daniel
Brides_Fathers_Occupation: Road maker
Licence_or_Banns: Banns
Date_of_Banns: [not stated]
Signature_or_Mark: both sign
Witness_1: Mark of Daniel Smith
Witness_2: Emily Smith
Other_Witnesses:
Officiating_Minister: James Lawton Vicar
Event: Marriage
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P109 IN 1/8
Page_Number: 237
Parish_Chapel: Drybrook

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

Thanks for the information.
Everyone here is very helpful.
I've been in touch with people who have sent pictures.
This is great.

Warmest Regards

John Merry