Thanks for your reply. I've only just started researching my family tree and was very greatful for yours speedy response. Matthew and Leah were my great grandparents, and my grandfather Leonard was brother to Spencer, Alfred, Matthew and Isaiah. My father, Alfred Butler was married to Charlotte. We stopped travelling in the early sixties due to my father's death from a car accident in Worcestershire. We travelled around Gloucestershire and Worcestershire most of our life. Most of my late family are buried at Ledbury cemetry, a town which I am very familiar with.

I'd be very grateful if you could let me have any more information on our family history which you have researched. Please can you e-mail me any photographs which you may have. I am sorry to say that I have only one photograph of my Granny Rose Holland, (Leonard's wife) with her son and grandchildren, which I would gladly e-mail to you if you wish. Look forward to hearing from you.

Betty
e-mail: sharon.lightfoot@btinternet.com

1901
Matthew Butler abt 1846 Northamptonshire, England Head Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire
Leah Butler abt 1847 Worcestershire, England Wife Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire
Matthew Butler abt 1880 Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire
Afred Butler abt 1882 Woolhope, Herefordshire, England Son Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire
Spencer Butler abt 1884 Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire d
Leonard Butler abt 1886 Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England Son Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire
Isaac Butler abt 1888 Wall Hill, Herefordshire, England Son Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire
Lillie Butler abt 1890 Alderford, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire

1911
BUTLER MATTHEW M 1861 50 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire
BUTLER LEAH F 1871 40 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire
BUTLER LEONARD M 1885 26 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire
BUTLER ALFRED M 1883 28 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire
BUTLER ISAIAH M 1887 24 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire
BUTLER LILY F 1891 20 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=20251

and this item re the camp in Caeleon
http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=22466

Interesting how the route of Ledbury, Caerleon, and the Forest links for travel and births.

Marriage
Name: Spencer Butler
Name: Emily Baker
Year of Registration: 1905
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
District: Upton Upon Severn
County: Worcestershire
Volume: 6c
Page: 517

Name: Sinfie Butler
Year of Registration: 1906
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
District: Ledbury
County: Herefordshire, Hereford and Worcester, Worcestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 474

1911
BUTLER SPENCER M 1882 29 Ledbury Herefordshire
BUTLER EMILY F 1884 27 Ledbury Herefordshire
BUTLER SINFOY F 1907 4 Ledbury Herefordshire

Name: Spencer Butler
Year of Registration: 1914
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
Mother's Maiden Name: Baker
District: Bromyard
County: Herefordshire, Hereford and Worcester, Worcestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 858

Name: Elsie J Butler
Mother's Maiden Surname: Baker
Date of Registration: Apr May Jun 1922
Registration district: Ledbury
Registration county: Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire
Volume Number: 6a
Page Number: 801

Year: 1922
Month: Oct
Day: 28
Surname: BUTLER
Forenames: Spencer
Residence: Royal Infirmary Gloucester
Age_at_death: 39 [years]
Officiating_Minister: F W Carnegy Rector
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: BO92/39
Page_No: 72
Parish_Chapel: Ledbury

1881
Thomas Potter abt 1864 Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England Inmate Hardwicke, Gloucestershire

1881
Harriot Potter abt 1831 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Potter abt 1870 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire

1871
John Gardiner abt 1825 Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Harriet Gardiner abt 1834 Yorkley, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Harriet Potts abt 1860 Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mary Potts abt 1853 Yorkley, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Tom Potts abt 1864 Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire

Name: Thomas Potter
Year of Registration: 1864
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 223

Year: 1864
Month: Oct
Day: 30
Parents_Surname: POTTER
Child_Forenames: Tom
Fathers_Forenames: William
Mothers_Forenames: Harriett
Mothers_Surname:
Residence: Westbury
Occupation: Collier
Officiating_Minister: Chris Jay Jones Vicar
Event: Baptism
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P354 IN 1/15
Page_Number: 66
Parish_Chapel: Westbury on Severn

1861
William Potter abt 1831 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Harriett Potter abt 1831 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
George Potter abt 1854 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Harriett Potter abt 1860 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mary A Potter abt 1852 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Richard Potter abt 1858 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
William Potter abt 1856 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire

Year: 1852
Month: Aug
Day: 19
Grooms_Surname: POTTER
Grooms_Forenames: William
Grooms_Age: 26
Groom_Condition: Bachelor
Grooms_Occupation: Collier
Grooms_Residence: Ruspidge
Grooms_Fathers_Surname: Potter
Grooms_Fathers_Forenames: William
Grooms_Fathers_Occupation: Farmer
Brides_Surname: KEAR
Brides_Forenames: Harriet
Brides_Age: 21
Brides_Condition: Spinster
Brides_Occupation:
Brides_Residence: Ruspidge
Brides_Fathers_Surname: Kear
Brides_Fathers_Forenames: Richard
Brides_Fathers_Occupation: Collier
Licence_or_Banns: Banns
Date_of_Banns:
Signature_or_Mark: Both mark
Witness_1: James Drew
Witness_2: Mary Drew
Other_Witnesses:
Officiating_Minister: T. G. Smythies
Event: Marriage
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P85/1 IN 1/4
Page_Number: 57
Parish_Chapel: Cinderford St Johns

1861 Tent in Tidenham !
Letitia Davies abt 1833 Herefordshire, England Head Tidenham Gloucestershire
Charles Davies abt 1836 Lydney, Gloucestershire, England Brother Tidenham Gloucestershire
Sarah Davies abt 1851 Richards Castle, Shropshire, England Niece Tidenham Gloucestershire

1881 Gypsy Tent Moseley (Green)
Charles Davis abt 1837 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean Gloucestershire
Leticia Davis abt 1841 Hereford, England Sister West Dean Gloucestershire

Slowhands has been very busy on my behalf (a big thankyou) supplying me with lots of useful information on my paternal family........lots of Gypsies so far!

Part of the info supplied was the baptism of Isaiah Butler in 1890......father Matthew Butler....mother Leah Annabel

WELL.........I noticed that Matthew Butler was in Gaol in 1891 (St Nicholas, Glos)and he was also in Gaol in 1878 along with Leanable (Leah Annabel) his wife (if they ever married)

I have started a new post on who was in gaol with the reference quoted by the Gloucestershire.gov site........but the site doesn't say why they was in Gaol

So this reply is adding to the story of my Pi.... whoops.....Gypsy family

Richard

I did purchase the birth cert of Letitia Fletcher (as seen 1881 census) born 17th January 1875...father Eli Fletcher (a tinman), mother Sarah Fletcher formerly DAVIS.
They lived at Green Bottom, East Dean at the time of birth. Sarah registered the birth on the 6th Feb 1875.
Westbury on Severn being the R.D, Newnham being the sub-district.

Hootin/Hostin/Austin appears to vanish after the 1881

I don't suppose any of these members of my family ever got married locally did they?........silly question

Richard

1881 Gypsy Tent Moseley West Dean
Eli Fletcher abt 1847 London, London, Middlesex, England Head West Dean Gloucestershire
Sarah Fletcher abt 1851 Hanway, Shropshire, England Wife West Dean Gloucestershire
Eli Fletcher abt 1872 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Fletcher abt 1878 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
Emily Fletcher abt 1868 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
Hootin [HOSTIN] Fletcher abt 1874 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
Jami Fletcher abt 1880 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean Gloucestershire
Leticia Fletcher abt 1876 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire
Sarah Fletcher abt 1880 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean Gloucestershire

Name: Emily Fletcher
Year of Registration: 1868
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County: Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire
Volume: 11a
Page: 19

If it is the death of my Elizabeth, she died the same year as my grandmother was supposably born!
I'm fairly certain the name of the child that was born and then adopted at the time of my great grandmothers death was ALFRED.
BIRTH.......ALFRED FLETCHER born June qtr..... WESTBURY S....6A...310
DEATH.......ELIZABETH FLETCHER died June qtr...WESTBURY S....6A....163
So looking at the above it would appear that my gr grandmother died in 1905, which means my grandmother LEAH "FLETCHER" was not born in 1905!

I have the birth cert of Austin Butler born 10th Dec 1896 Green Bottom, East Dean, registered 7th January 1897 by Elizabeth Butler........mother Elizabeth Butler...no father stated on cert.
I have the death cert of Austin Fletcher (one of the same) died 1953 aged 56, death was registered by his wife Ruth.

Below is whom I thought might be Austin aged 7 in the 1881 census? open to interpretation on what it does actually say?

1881
GIPSY TENT, WEST DEAN, GLOS
ELI FLETCHER HEAD 34 TIN PLATE WORKER LONDON, MIDDX
SARAH " WIFE 30 HANWAY, SHROPSHIRE
EMILY " DAUR 13 EAST DEAN, GLOS
ELI " SON 9 WEST DEAN "
"HOSTIN" " " 7 "
LETICIA " DAUR 5 "
ELIZABETH " " 3 EAST DEAN "
JAMI " SON 1 " "
SARAH " DAUR 1 " "
-------------------------

1891
Churchway, East Dean........RG12/2005 folio 21 page 36
Eli Fletcher Head 43 Tin Ware Maker London
Clara " Wife 40 Shropshire
Eli " Son 20 General Labourer Lydney
Letitia " Daur 17 East Dean
Elizabeth " " 15 "
Sarah " " 14 "
James " Son 11 "
Charles " " 9 "
Samuel " " 7 "
Cecilia " Daur 6 "
Mary Ann " " 3 "
Alice " " 6 months "
-------------------

1901 Census
Two Bridges, East Dean, Gloucestershire
Eli Fletcher Head 55 tin pan maker not known
Sarah " wife 50 not known
James " son 23 (unm) tin pan maker Glos, East Dean
Charles " " 21 " Monmouth
Sarah " dau 19 Glos East Dean
Samuel " son 18 "
Selia " dau 15 "
Mary Ann " " 13 "
William " son 11 "
John " " 9 "

1901 Bilson Green
Ambrose Butler abt 1827 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire Tinker
Harriett Butler abt 1832 Yorkley, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean Gloucestershire
Harriett Nash abt 1893 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Granddaughter East Dean Gloucestershire

1891 Upper Bilson Cinderford
Ambrose Butter abt 1832 Mordiford, Herefordshire, England Head East Dean Gloucestershire Tinker
Harriett Butter abt 1833 Wife East Dean Gloucestershire
Isiah Butterabt 1863 Mordiford, Herefordshire, England Son East Dean Gloucestershire
Thos Potter abt 1864 Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England Stepson East Dean Gloucestershire

Year: 1885
Month: Jan
Day: 24
Grooms_Surname: BUTLER
Grooms_Forenames: Ambrose
Grooms_Age: 52
Groom_Condition: Widower
Grooms_Occupation: Brazier
Grooms_Residence: Cinderford
Grooms_Fathers_Surname: Butler
Grooms_Fathers_Forenames: Daniel
Grooms_Fathers_Occupation: Brazier
Brides_Surname: GARDENER
Brides_Forenames: Harriett
Brides_Age: 51
Brides_Condition: Widow
Brides_Occupation: [not stated]
Brides_Residence: Cinderford
Brides_Fathers_Surname: Kear
Brides_Fathers_Forenames: Richard
Brides_Fathers_Occupation: Collier
Licence_or_Banns: Banns
Date_of_Banns:
Signature_or_Mark: Both mark
Witness_1: Mark of Harriett Potter
Witness_2: Thomas Meredith
Other_Witnesses:
Officiating_Minister: W[illia]m Lynes Vicar
Event: Marriage
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P85/1 IN 1/5
Page_Number: 194
Parish_Chapel: Cinderford St Johns

Harriet KEAR / POTTER
http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?mode=thread&id=4822#p4825

1881 Newham Bottom , Ruardean
Ambrose Butler abt 1831 Northamptonshire, England Head Westbury On Severn - East Dean Gloucestershire Pedlar
Carnation Butler abt 1866 Worcestershire, England Daughter Westbury On Severn - East Dean
Isiah Butler abt 1860 Worcestershire, England Son Westbury On Severn - East Dean Gloucestershire

1871
Ambros Buttler abt 1831 N Head Hartlebury Worcestershire Travellering Tinker
Martha Buttler abt 1836 Walford, Warwickshire, England Wife Hartlebury Worcestershire
Carolin Buttler abt 1867 Brington, Herefordshire, England Daughter Hartlebury Worcestershire
Elderotte Buttler abt 1863 Alfrick, Worcestershire, England Daughter Hartlebury Worcestershire
Mazie Buttler abt 1861 Alfrick, Worcestershire, England Son Hartlebury Worcestershire
Sebina Buttler abt 1859 Birchington, Worcestershire, England Daughter Hartlebury Worcestershire
Sinderella Buttler abt 1857 Malvern, Worcestershire, England Daughter Hartlebury Worcestershire

1911
BUTLER MATTHEW M 1861 50 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire
BUTLER LEAH F 1871 40 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire
BUTLER LEONARD M 1885 26 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire
BUTLER ALFRED M 1883 28 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire
BUTLER ISAIAH M 1887 24 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire
BUTLER LILY F 1891 20 Westbury on Severn Gloucestershire

1901 The Heath in tents
Matthew Butler abt 1846 Northamptonshire, England Head Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire
Leah Butler abt 1847 Worcestershire, England Wife Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire
Matthew Butler abt 1880 Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire
Afred Butler abt 1882 Woolhope, Herefordshire, England Son Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire
Spencer Butler abt 1884 Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire
Leonard Butler abt 1886 Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England Son Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire
Isaac Butler abt 1888 Wall Hill, Herefordshire, England Son Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire
Lillie Butler abt 1890 Alderford, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Redmarley D Abitot, Worcestershire

1891
Matthew Butler abt 1846 Droitwich, Worcestershire, England Prisoner St Nicholas Gloucester

Year 1890
Month Nov
Day 9
Parents Surname BUTLER
Child Forename(s) Isaiah
Father's Forename(s) Matthew
Mother's Forename(s) Leah Annabel
Mother's Surname
Place of Residence No settled abode
Occupation Tinker
Officiating Minister R.T. Kempthorne
Event type Baptism
Memoranda
Notes Footnote to parents names column says Vide No. 424 Page 53. This is a cross-reference to the baptism of another child apparently of the same couple whose forenames are left blank in this entry.
Register Reference P1 IN 1/8
Page No 89
Parish/Chapel Abenhall

1881 Gypsy Tents in Green Bottom
SMITH family in another Tent !
Pridy Smith abt 1811 Head Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mathew Butler abt 1851 Son in Law Westbury On Severn - East Dean Gloucestershire
Emma Butler abt 1870 Daughter Westbury On Severn - East Dean Gloucestershire
Snipey ? Butler abt 1876 Daughter Westbury On Severn - East Dean Gloucestershire
Mathew Butler Son Westbury On Severn - East Dean Gloucestershire
Bessie Butler abt 1874 Daughter Westbury On Severn - East Dean Gloucestershire
Albert Butler abt 1875 Son Westbury On Severn - East Dean Gloucestershire
Lucy Smith abt 1879 Daughter Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire

Year 1879
Month Sep
Day 21
Parents Surname BUTLER
Child Forename(s) Matthew
Father's Forename(s) Matthew
Mother's Forename(s) Leanda [sic]
Mother's Surname
Place of Residence Green Bottom
Occupation Brick grinder
Officiating Minister H H Hardy
Event type Baptism
Memoranda [HHH] initials in margin
Notes initials indicate correction to entry
Register Reference P220 IN 1/4
Page No 65
Parish/Chapel Mitcheldean

Year 1876
Month Feb
Day 10
Parents Surname BUTLER
Child Forename(s) Sinfoy
Father's Forename(s) [blank]
Mother's Forename(s) [blank]
Mother's Surname
Place of Residence East Dean
Occupation Gipsy Knife Grinder
Officiating Minister J.W. Gregg
Event type Baptism
Memoranda
Notes Footnote to parents names column says Vide No. 708 Page 89. R.T.K. This is a cross-reference to the baptism of another child apparently of the same couple whose names are given in this entry as Matthew and Leah Annabel. Forest of is written above the pl
Register Reference P1 IN 1/8
Page No 53
Parish/Chapel Abenhall

1871 Ellis Bridge Rd
Mathew Butler abt 1848 Worcestershire, England Head Garway Herefordshire Tinker
Leanna Butler abt 1850 Broughton, Worcestershire, England Wife Garway Herefordshire
Emma Butler abt 1870 Bosbury, Herefordshire, England Daughter Garway Herefordshire

Name: Leana Smith
Name: Matthew Butler
Year of Registration: 1870
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
District: Ledbury
County: Herefordshire, Hereford and Worcester, Worcestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 703

From "The Forest of Dean by Humphrey Phelps"

.....Matty and Lenny Butler were Gypsies and they lived at Horsepool Bottom and Mr Preddle, who had married their sister Sinfoy, lived in the corner. Matty ground knives and scissors and some times he would fall asleep on the path through the woods from Cinderford with his machine still strapped to his back. Lenny made baskets and pegs, and Mr Preddle made kettles, meat tins and saucepans. They may not have been rich in worldly wealth, but they did live close to St Anthony's Well.

Year 1905
Month May
Day 6

Surname FLETCHER
Forename(s) Elizabeth
Place of Residence Green Bottom
Age at death 30 years
Officiating Minister James Lawton Vicar
Event Burial
Cause of death
Memoranda
Notes
Register Reference P109 IN 1/13
Page No 175
Parish/Chapel Drybrook

If this is Elizabeth then Green Bottom seems a sensible place to look.
I have scanned the census around Shapridge, Edge Hill , Green Bottom , Collafield and no one looks like a fit as yet - sorry

< the area also takes in the Hazel Hill near Plump Hill which does have a FLETCHER family
http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?mode=thread&id=7390&category=0 >

Name: Austin Butler
Year of Registration: 1897
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 243

Year 1897
Month Feb
Day 14

Parents Surname FLETCHER
Child Forename(s) Austin Butler
Father's Forename(s) Austin
Mother's Forename(s) Elizabeth
Mother's Surname
Place of Residence Greenbottom
Occupation Tin worker
Officiating Minister Th[oma]s Longstaff
Event type Baptism
Memoranda
Notes
Register Reference P85/2IN 1/1
Page No 84
Parish/Chapel Cinderford St Stephens

Year 1892
Month Apr
Day 10

Parents Surname FLETCHER
Child Forename(s) Henry
Father's Forename(s) Austin[?]
Mother's Forename(s) Elizabeth
Mother's Surname
Place of Residence Birch Wood
Occupation Labourer
Officiating Minister G H Kirkham Curate
Event type Baptism
Memoranda
Notes
Register Reference P109 IN 1/5
Page No 33
Parish/Chapel Drybrook

My grandmother was LEAH FLETCHER born circa 1905......she married Frederick Powell in 1927 and her father is stated as being AUSTIN FLETCHER a quarryman
When grandmother Leah died the family couldn't find a birth cert and neither could the GRO, so they made a temp one up (based on what the family told them) to accomodate the requirement.

Leah had a brother named Austin Fletcher who died in 1953 aged 56.........he was born Austin Butler in Dec 1896 and he was christened Austin Butler Fletcher at St Stephens, Cinderford in 1897, parents AUSTIN FLETCHER & ELIZABETH. Leah also had a brother HENRY FLETCHER who was baptised in 1892......parents AUSTIN FLETCHER & ELIZABETH

I have been told that Leah Fletcher's mother died during childbirth (after 1905?)the child survived and was adopted and taken to live in Germany?

I have a suspicion that the Fletcher's and Butler's are Gypsy families in the Forest area?

It has taken a lot of years to get this far! as I live the other side of the Country......can anyone assist in knowledge of this family please

Richard