Forest of Dean FHT Forum - Edward DOWLE, born Cinderford or Lydney, circa 1885

Edward DOWLE, born Cinderford or Lydney, circa 1885 (reply)

Chris Keen — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 20:22:10 +0000

Hi Jayned
I read your article with much interest
Having just embarked on researching my Great Grandfather James William Keen born 1860 in Cinderford,
He like your GG made his way to
Barnsley where he married Eliza and had 2 Children, Edith and Seth( my Grandad)
He lived in a place called Days Croft which was near Monk Bretton pit where he was the colliery overman,
Unfortunately he had a few too many pints and fell in the nearby canal
And drowned at the age of 40 !! February 1900 leaving a young widow and 2 kids about 2-3 years old and Seth only - a few weeks old!
I remember as a very young lad visiting Cinderford and meeting up with some of my Dads relations ,
He mentioned that he used to visit as a boy and stayed with his uncle Irvin( maybe KEEN) in the late 30s to early 50s
I have no knowledge of his resting place here in my village of Monk Bretton
Ironically I live only a short distance from where Days Croft is( now demolished )
It’s so interesting that many people have travelled north from a beautiful area as the FOD to start anew but hard life up here in the coal industry,
If you have any information or anyone else reading this I would love to hear from you,
Worsbrough where your relations settles as you know was a result if all the pits opening up,
I would like to mention if you have any interest in finding your GG involvement with the pits here in Barnsley then a visit to the NUM offices on Huddersfield Road
That’s an amazing place and have archives that they may share with you
Kindest regards
Chris

Doel/Dowle/Dole/Lucas (reply)

jayned — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:43:05 +0000

Thank you everyone for your help on the Dowle/Doel family. It is really appreciated!Please note that our branch of the family name appears to have changed from Doel to Dole to Dowle between circa 1850-1911. We think we have established that Mary Doel, nee Lucas, was my great-grandather Edward's mother. We have noted that Thomas, whom Mary was married to, died around the time Edward was born circa 1871/1872. However, we can't find a birth certificate for Edward (discounted the Edward Francis Doel/Doel born in 1871/72, Southwick, Wilts) as he turns up in the 1881 census as the son of Gideon Doel. We can't find any other Edward Doel/Dowle born anywhere in the country around this time in the Register of Births!! We are ordering Edward's marriage certificate, to Mary Alice Hewitt, in Barnsley, Yorkshire 1893 to see if we can find a father on there. Meanwhile, Edward appears to have a brother, Joseph, born in 1878 (born after the death of Thomas, Mary's husband), and another possible brother, Simeon born 1864, who are all in Barnsley on the 1891 and 1901 census. In 1891, Mary is listed as "living on her own means", which is curious as her "sons" were all miners with no indication anywhere of income from an inheritance/private money/rents. We are keen to find out if anyone knows anythng about Mary, Joseph or Simeon, as Edward told his own sons/daughters that he was a foundling with no family, and no-one in the family remembers him being in contact with any blood relatives. Hope this all makes sense. Any thoughts or leads gratefully received. And if anybody wants to contact me re using any of our info for their own research, please do. We'd be happy to help! Thank you.

DOEL family (reply)

m p griffiths — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:46:26 +0000

Hopefully these two Contributors whom I have sent emails via Ancestry - will be in touch soon and have told them about your message on FOD forum.

(The tree has Edward DOLE - June Qtr 1870 - Westbury on Severn)

FreeBDM

DOLE

Harriet - Dec Qtr 1864 - Westbury on Severn

Thomas - March Qtr 1872 - ditto

thank you (reply)

jayned — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:44:25 +0000

Thank you very much everyone for all your help today.. I am going to search through everything you have suggested and see what I can deduce. Really appreciate your help and will keep you posted!!

DOEL (reply)

m p griffiths — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:26:14 +0000

FreeBDM

Mary LUCAS married Thomas DOEL - Westbury June 1859 (Wiltshire)

Looking at this Stevenson tree on Ancestry

Thomas DOEL 1835 - born Southwick Wiltshire - who married Mary LUCAS

parents George DOEL 1812-1891 - North Bradley died 1891

Elizabeth (nee HUNTLEY) - 1812-1900

1851 CENSUS North Bradley, Wiltshire, Southwick

DOEL

George - 38, Ag. Lab (all born Southwick)
Elizabeth - 39 - Home Loam Weaver Wooler
Thomas 16, Ag Lab
Simeon - 15, Clothworker
Maria - 12 - Employed at home
Edward - 9 - Scholar
George - 7
Harriet - 6 months

Mary LUCAS (reply)

slowhands — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:14:04 +0000

I suspect that marriage is Westbury WILTS not GLOS !

Urina & Joseph BROWN (reply)

m p griffiths — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:58:12 +0000

I've just had another look at Ancestry - and there is another Public Members' Tree - Stevenson - who have this DOEL family, but are back to William DOEL - 1545, Westbury, Wilts. (in total 155 DOEL's in this particular tree)

This Stevenson tree, has Thomas DOEL's wife 1871 census, Flaxley born Stonehouse as Mary LUCAS

Have also sent the Contributor an email. Hopefully this will help.

Urina & Joseph BROWN (reply)

slowhands — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:43:07 +0000

I wonder if these are two of the three ?

Name: Eliza Urina Brown
Year of Registration: 1877
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 277

Name: Joseph Brown
Year of Registration: 1879
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 258

DOWLE, family Cinderford - Barnsley (reply)

m p griffiths — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:21:09 +0000

Looking at this Ancestry tree, listed as children of Thomas & Mary DOEL are....

Joseph, 1859, Elen, 1860, George 1861, Simeon 1863, Harriet 1864, Ellen 166, Annis 1868, Elizabeth 1869, Edwin 1870, Thomas 1872, Sarah 1874, and Joseph 1879. Have sent an email to the Contributor - see if there is any response

DOWLE, family Cinderford - Barnsley (reply)

slowhands — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:19:01 +0000

Joseph 1878, Edward 1872 and Eurena 1877 seem to be lacking BMD's
suggesting they may have been "adopted" or otherwise.

Pre 1871 such as

Name: Edward Dole {possibly EDWIN}
Year of Registration: 1870
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 231

Name: Elizabeth Dowle
Year of Registration: 1869
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 227

seem OK ( see prior message)

Edward DOWLE, 1872 - 1950 GLS - Barnsley (reply)

m p griffiths — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:52:09 +0000

On Ancestry - there is a Public Members Tree (Leigh & Parker) - who have this family in detail....

They start off with Thomas DOEL - 1835, Southwick, Wiltshire and quote 4 citations - 1871/1861/1851/1841 census.

This tree is from Joseph's sister Eurina DOWLE (born 1877 Cinderford) who married Alfred TUNSTALL, Dec Qtr 1900 - Burnley

With this information on census (amongst others)

1901 Census, Fleetwood Lancashire

Alfred TUNSTALL - 24, Engine Fitter, Iron Turner, born Lancashire, Newton-le-Willows
Eurina TUNSTALL - 23, born Glos. Cinderford
Olive TUNSTALL - 3 months, born Lancs, Fleetwood

1891 Census, Glossop, Derbyshire
77 High Street West

Eurrne DOWLE, 15 - General Servant, Gloucestershire

Edward DOWLE, 1872 - 1950 GLS - Barnsley (reply)

jayned — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:29:11 +0000

Thank you very much. And such a swift reply! Edward is definitely my great-grandfather. John was my grand-father. There are rumours that a "brother" followed Edward some time after he came to Barnsley, but nothing is known of him in the family... so this "Joseph" person could be of interest also..
Without Edward's birth certificate, is my best option to come down to the Forest of Dean and search local records in the Cinderford and Lydney areas? And if so, where would be the best place to start? Thank you very much indeed,

Edward DOWLE, 1872 - 1950 Cinderford - Barnsley (reply)

slowhands — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:50:01 +0000

We probably need some more info to make head way , however there is this family - which I suspect leads to GGfather as Edward DOWLE 1872 ish

Name: Edward Dowle
Death Registration Month/Year: 1950
Age at death (estimated): 79
Registration district: Barnsley
Inferred County: Yorkshire West Riding
Volume: 2b
Page: 2

Name: Peter Dowle
Mother's Maiden Surname: Batty
Date of Registration: Oct Nov Dec 1943
Registration district: Barnsley
Registration county: Yorkshire
Volume Number: 9c
Page Number: 304

Name: John Dowle
Spouse Emily Batty
Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1928
Registration district: Barnsley
Registration county (inferred): Yorkshire - West Riding
Volume Number: 9c
Page Number: 462

Name: John Dowle
Year of Registration: 1909
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
District: Barnsley
County: Yorkshire - West Riding
Volume: 9c
Page: 318

1911
DOWLE EDWARD M 1873 38 Barnsley Yorkshire West Riding
DOWLE MARY A F 1875 36 Barnsley Yorkshire West Riding
DOWLE ALMA M 1901 10 Barnsley Yorkshire West Riding
DOWLE EDWARD M 1894 17 Barnsley Yorkshire West Riding
DOWLE ELIZABETH F 1896 15 Barnsley Yorkshire West Riding
DOWLE JOHN M 1909 2 Barnsley Yorkshire West Riding

1901
Edward Dowle abt 1872 Gloucestershire, England Head Worsborough, Yorkshire
Mary A Dowle abt 1876 Worsbor Bridge, Yorkshire, England Wife Worsborough, Yorkshire
Edward Dowle abt 1894 Barnsley, Yorkshire, England Son Worsborough, Yorkshire
Elizabeth Dowle abt 1897 Worsborough, Yorkshire, England Daughter Worsborough, Yorkshire
Alina Dowle abt 1900 Worsbor Common, Yorkshire, England Son Worsborough, Yorkshire

Name: Mary Alice Hewitt
Name: Edward Dole
Year of Registration: 1893
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Barnsley
County: Yorkshire - West Riding
Volume: 9c
Page: 328

1891
Daily Hewitt abt 1846 Worsborough, Yorkshire, England Head Worsborough, Yorkshire
Sarah Hewitt abt 1850 Worsborough, Yorkshire, England Wife Worsborough, Yorkshire
James Hewitt abt 1869 Worsborough, Yorkshire, England Son Worsborough, Yorkshire
John Hewitt abt 1872 Worsborough, Yorkshire, England Son Worsborough, Yorkshire
Joseph Hewitt abt 1875 Worsborough, Yorkshire, England Son Worsborough, Yorkshire
Mary A Hewitt abt 1876 Worsborough, Yorkshire, England Daughter Worsborough, Yorkshire
Almond Hewitt abt 1881 Worsborough, Yorkshire, England Son Worsborough, Yorkshire
Emanuel Hewitt abt 1884 Worsborough, Yorkshire, England Son Worsborough, Yorkshire
Elizabeth Hewitt abt 1887 Worsborough, Yorkshire, England Daughter Worsborough, Yorkshire

1891
Mary Doel abt 1837 Cenderford, Gloucestershire, England Head Worsborough, Yorkshire
Annis Doel abt 1868 Cenderford, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Worsborough, Yorkshire
Edward Doel abt 1871 Cenderford, Gloucestershire, England Son Worsborough, Yorkshire
Thomas Doel abt 1872 Cenderford, Gloucestershire, England Son Worsborough, Yorkshire
Joseph Doel abt 1879 Cenderford, Gloucestershire, England Son Worsborough, Yorkshire

1881
Annie Doe abt 1867 Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England Servant Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

1881
Mary Dole abt 1839 Stonehouse Head Westbury On Severn - East Dean,
Simeon Dole abt 1865 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Westbury On Severn - East Dean,
Ellen Dole abt 1866 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Westbury On Severn - East Dean,
Elizabeth Dole abt 1868 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Westbury On Severn - East Dean,
Edward Dole abt 1872 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Westbury On Severn - East Dean,
Eurina Dole abt 1877 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Westbury On Severn - East Dean,
Joseph Dole abt 1878 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Westbury On Severn - East Dean,

1871 Cinderford
Thomas Doel 30 Southwick Somerset
Mary Doel 28 Stonehouse Glou
George Doel 10 Cinderford
Simeon Doel 7 Cinderford
Ellen Doel 5 Cinderford
Annie Doel 3 Cinderford
Eliza Doel 2 Cinderford
Edwin Doel 1 Cinderford

Name: Ellen Doel
Year of Registration: 1866
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 207

Name: Simeon Doel
Year of Registration: 1863
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 199

Name: George Doel
Year of Registration: 1861
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 209

1861
Thomas Dole abt 1837 Bracon, Worcestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mary Dole abt 1838 Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Joseph Dole abt 1859 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Elen Dole abt 1860 Risca, Glamorgan, Wales Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire

marriage possible error in transcription

Name: Thomas Doel
Year of Registration: 1859
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 214

Name: Mary Lucas
Year of Registration: 1859
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Westbury
County: Wiltshire
Volume: 5a
Page: 214

1851
George Doel abt 1813 Southwick, Wiltshire, England Head North Bradley,
Elizabeth Doel abt 1812 Southwick, Wiltshire, England Wife North Bradley,
Thomas Doel abt 1835 Southwick, Wiltshire, England Son North Bradley,
Simeon Doel abt 1836 Southwick, Wiltshire, England Son North Bradley,
Maria Doel abt 1839 Southwick, Wiltshire, England Daughter North Bradley,
Edward Doel abt 1842 Southwick, Wiltshire, England Son North Bradley,
George Doel abt 1844 Southwick, Wiltshire, England Son North Bradley,
Harriet Doel abt 1850 Daughter North Bradley,

a possible "brother" nearby

1911
DOWLE JOSEPH M 1877 34 Barnsley Yorkshire West Riding
DOWLE THERESA F 1881 30 Barnsley Yorkshire West Riding
DOWLE ANNIE F 1907 4 Barnsley Yorkshire West Riding
DOWLE HAROLD M 1909 2 Barnsley Yorkshire West Riding
DOWLE HARRY M 1905 6 Barnsley Yorkshire West Riding
DOWLE TH ROBERT M 1903 8 Barnsley Yorkshire West Riding

Edward DOWLE, born Cinderford or Lydney, circa 1885

jayned — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:28:08 +0000

I have been trying to trace the line of my great-grandfather, Edward Dowle, born in Cinderford or Lydney, around 1885. He told his family he was a foundling and had no birth certificate. He left Gloucestershire when he was a boy and walked the country, looking for work, ending up as a coal-miner in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. If anyone has any information to help, I would be really grateful as I have tried many times to find out more about him, but have hit a brick wall. I live in Barnsley and would love to come down to the Forest of the Dean over the summer to do some research, but I need to find some leads first!! Thank you..