 Jenny Osborne (IIA) 13th September 2009:
I thought you may like these two records I have found for Frederick Alabaster and his son Edwin
Alabaster.
Frederick Alabaster (right), Jenny’s grandfather, was the son of Edwin Alabaster, brother of my own great
grandfather. This shows Frederick in uniform from WWI.
Edwin James Alabaster (left) was Frederick’s son. He served in the Wiltshire Regiment in WWII and died in Burma on
15 February 1944.
Carol Osborne (IIA) 18th October 2009:
Thought I’d let you know that we’ve just booked flights to Thailand for Dec 27th and hope to see Ginny and family in
Chiang Mai to celebrate New Year!!! So excited, especially to see Laurie again. Of course the last time we went we
didn’t know the family there even existed – you brought all that to our attention!
Carol is my own third cousin – my gt grandfather, Thomas, was the brother of her gt grandfather, Edwin, although we
have only met in the last couple of years. Carol’s son, Laurie, lives and works in Thailand and got to know his distant
cousins, Marisa and Francesco Bird (sons of Virginia (Ginny) Bird) – they are actually 6th cousins once removed,
sharing 5 x gt grandparents, Robert and Ann Mison (as do all members of Branch II) Read about Carol’s experience of
New Year in Thailand elsewhere in this Chronicle!
Oddly, both Jenny and Carol are gt granddaughters of Edwin Alabaster, but the name Osborne is that of their husbands
– no known connection!
Pearl Teasdale (IV) 31st October 2009:
Thank you so much for sending the Occasional Monograph No. 3. I was delighted to receive it on Tuesday (27th Oct)
and I immediately read it from cover to cover.
I am absolutely overwhelmed at being part of the Alabaster family - what a wonderful heritage. So many of our
ancestors led such interesting lives (although they may not have thought so at the time) and it was a real joy for me
to read Henry Alabaster's letters and those of some of the other members of his family. John Alabaster put
everything together so well and I was right there in Siam with Henry. Having had the privilege to visit Bangkok and
the surrounding area, I was continually being transported back to Thailand and I could well understand how the heat
troubled Palacia.
This email from Pearl echoes the sentiments of many of our members who thoroughly enjoyed the book that John
Stammers Alabaster produced. Thank you, John!
Bethnal Green War Memorials, 1st November 2009:
There is a small web site called bethnalgreenwarmemorials.com and thought you might be interested to note that a
William Alabaster is listed. These photos refer to two William Alabasters on war memorials in Bethnal Green ,
although they could refer to the one man.
The first is a copy of the page from the Roll of Honour , this gives his address and regiment. The second photograph
(immediately below it) is from tablets that were originally part of the war memorial at St Thomas`s Church, Bethnal
Green: they were relocated to St Peter`s Church when these two parishes were joined.
From UK Soldiers who Died
in the Great War:
William Alabaster, born
Shoreditch, Residence Sun
St., Death date 26 August
1918. Enlistment: Hackney
Road, Rank Private,
Regiment: London
Regiment Battalion 7th
(City of London) Battalion
No. 350550. Died of
wounds.
..............
This William was the son of
John and Susan Alabaster
(nee Gibbs), branch IIIB
We also have photographs,
one (below) taken by Ray
Williamson in 2008 of a
memorial to William on his
parents’ grave in Manor
Park Cemetery, London; the
other (below right), which
shows the inscription
clearly, is of much earlier
vintage.
I think it is likely that the two references from the
Bethnal Green website do refer to the same William
Alabaster but it is difficult to be certain.
Sadly, another soldier, William Ernest Alabaster, died on
28 August 1918, just two days later. He was the son of
William Joseph and Amelia Elizabeth Alabaster (nee
Gilbert), branch IV.
From Exmouth Herald, 6 November 2009:
“Blooming marvellous win for Budleigh Salterton woman
“06 November 2009
“The green-fingered skills of Kathy Alabaster were recognised by Budleigh in Bloom when she was presented with Kings
Nurseries vouchers worth £100 for her efforts scooping the top prize in the town's gardens competition.”
Does anybody identify this green fingered Alabaster?
Murray Williamson (I) 2nd Dec 2009:
Many thanks for sending me the extract from the 1871 Rochford census. Very kind of you! I continue to read the
Chronicle with interest, and marvel at the enregy and dedication which you and the team display.
As it happens, I had seen the item and like you, puzzled over what James was doing in Rochford in 1871. The Census
is correct in calling him a widower, and the age is right. At that time, James was no longer member for Southern
Goldfields, having omitted to stand for re-election in November 1869, but I have no indication of his movements
thereafter until September 1871 when he remarried in Sydney. This is how I worked it out in my Rodd Family History:
"As we have seen, James died in 1862 and thereafter his widow Ann and youngest daughter Mary travelled to
Australia in 1863. She appears not to have travelled on to New Zealand with Mary and husband Captain Frederick
Denham Gibson following their marriage in Goulburn. The passenger list for Captain Gibson’s ship the “Auckland”
on arrival in Auckland on 27 December 1863 listed him and his new wife, but did not include a Mrs Rodd. Just how
and when Ann returned to England is not known.
The 1871 census has Ann Rodd, widow, an annuitant, born Romford Essex, living at 15 South Street Rochford. Also
living there at the time was James Rodd, widower, a merchant, aged 40 born Rayleigh Essex. These are clearly the
details of Ann and her oldest son James. James must have returned from Australia, possibly for a short visit, at that
time. We know he has back in Australia late in 1871. Ann’s son Alfred and family were living close by, at 18 South
Street.
Ann Rodd died in Chelmsford, Essex, in 1879 of "paralysis and softening of the spine". Presumably she was living
with relatives then - the informant was C A Rodd, daughter in law, New London Rd, Chelmsford. This must have been
Caroline, the wife of Alfred Rodd, the only one of Ann’s sons who was still living in England at the time.
The Rayleigh churchyard still has the Rodd tombstone. It was in fair condition when Judy and I saw it first in 1999, but
by 2002 (when we revisited it with Peter and Tan) it had deteriorated quite a bit.
The inscriptions on the tombstone read as follows:
IN MEMORY OF JAMES RODD
B 1803 D 1862
ANNE ALABASTER HIS WIFE
B 1800 D 1879
THE FOLLOWING ARE HIS CHILDREN
ANNE ALABASTER B 1826 D 1836
SARAH FOX wife of the late Rev W Rumann B 1827 D 1856
JOHN FOX B 1830 D 1849
HENRIETTA MARIA B 1833 D 1838
WILLIAM B 1839 D 1839
ALFRED who lies in Rochford Churchyard B 18?. d 1872
THIS TOMB IS PLACED THERE BY THEIR BROTHER
On the side of the tomb is the inscription:
WILLIAM RODD 1758-1833
HENRIETTA MARIE HIS WIFE B 1766 D 1814
JOHN THEIR SON B 1805 D 1842
Rodd Family tombstone, Rayleigh Churchyard in 1999
So who was this brother who erected the tombstone? Whoever it was must have been still alive after 1879 (the most
recent date on the stone). It can only have been one of the boys who came to Australia - James, George Palmer or
Ephraim Rodd – since all the sons who stayed in England were dead by 1879.
I suspect that it was James Rodd who was responsible for the tombstone. He made quite a bit of money in real estate
in Sydney in the 1880s. He may well have returned to England at some stage.”
I note that the tombstone does not mention all his children - it excludes the four who emigrated. So I assume that the
tombstone refers to those who are buried at Rayleigh.
As you point out, the 1871 census extract also shows that Alfred Rodd, the only son of James and Ann who stayed in
England, was living in Rochford at the time. He and his family were living there at least since 1864. He died in 1872.
No doubt Ann, his mother, moved to Rochford to be near him after her husband James' death. Alfred's wife Caroline
(Newson) and children later moved to Chelmsford and it was Caroline who was shown as informant on Ann's death
certificate in 1879. It seems likely that Ann would have moved with Caroline and her children. I note that Ann's
birthplace is given as Romford, Essex, c 1790, so that gives some indication of the whereabouts of her parents
before they took over the lease of the Half Moon Pub at Rayleigh.
It is fascinating to get more insight into Branch I. This gives us more information about the family of Ann Rodd (nee
Alabaster) about whom Murray wrote in Chronicle 18. He wrote about "The Gibson Girls" who contributed
considerably to education in New Zealand during the 19th and 20th centuries. This can be read on the Alabaster
website at www.alabaster.org.uk/chron18.htm . There is more to follow from Murray about this family in the next
Chronicle.
Carolyn de Graaf – New Zealand 7th December 2009:
I am interested in whom I should contact in relation to my gt grand mother Mary Ann Alabaster born 13 01 18 63 in
Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand and died 21 08 1959 in Auckland, New Zealand. She was the daughter of Daniel
Alabaster, and in fact she had 5 children, one being my grandfather whom she married on 14 09 1880.
I replied that I would do my best to help and received the following information:
This is what I know -
1. Joseph Alfred Mchugh was born in 1856 in Sandridge, Melbourne, Victoria Australia. He married Mary Ann
Alabaster 9 February 1880 in Wellington, New Zealand. She was born 13 January 1863 in Dunedin, New Zealand and
died 21 August 1959 in Auckland, New Zealand.
She is buried at the Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland - Plot- Protestant Lawn B Row, Plot 8 under the name of
Coveney.
Child of Joseph Mchugh & Mary Alabaster is Joseph Alfred Mchugh, born 14 September 1880 in Christchurch, New
Zealand and died 16 May 1964 in Lower Hutt, Wellington.
Joseph Alfred Mchugh was my grandfather (he had 5 children in his first marriage, his first wife died and he married
my grandmother and had another three children = 8 children in all, 2 still living) - My information comes from my
grandfather`s marriage and birth certificates and the McHugh family tree.
I was interested to note that Joseph snr was the son of a William Mchugh born 1809 in Cork, Ireland and died 19
March 1875. He was also a Sea Captain sailing his own ship.
But wait there is more –
2. Mary Ann Alabaster went on to marry a Mr Heard in/on about 1881, there were three children -
a. Daniel Albert Heard, born 7 October 1888, in Dunedin, New Zealand and died 13 December 1973 in Auckland
(known by us as Uncle Dan);
b. Mabel Ann Heard, Born 8 April 1882/1866, in Dunedin;
c. William John Sandy Heard, born 9 April 1883, Dunedin, New Zealand.
3. Mary Ann Alabaster married Gerald Edward Coveney on 24 December 1894.
Florance Coveney was born 1 February 1896 at Dannevirke, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
It would be nice to see Mary`s family acknowledged by the Alabaster Society. What do I need to do to have that
happen?
As I could deduce that Carolyn was a member of Branch IV, being descended from Captain Daniel Alabaster who was
born in Gt Yarmouth in 1836, I put her in touch with Kelley Videbeck who is our all knowledgeable New Zealand
member on Branch IV.
Kelley Videbeck (IV) 8th December 2009:
Ah, Laraine, you've done it again - thank you! I have so little info on this branch of our family, but my Mum has
memories of Carolyn's Gt Grandmother Mary Ann (they called her Aunty Polly & remember her as a busy ancient little
lady with black lace up boots - they used to visit her here in Auckland in the 50's when they lived here). I have sent a
message straight off to Carolyn, and sooo hoping she may have some old photographs as I have never seen one of
Polly. The funny thing is I finally sat down & read through the latest chronicle yesterday and it had put me back in
mind of all the wonderful info I learned earlier this year about our Isabella Fenwick, Captain Dan's straying wife. I'm
not sure if I ever came back to you after I received her marriage and death certificates.
Anyway, it makes for an intriguing tale as we learned that she married John Halloa bigamously at a place called
Norsewood (lower Nth Island) in 1884, calling herself a widow at the time. John was a native of Quebec, and I
suspect they lived in Gisborne (mid Nth Island, East Coast).
However Isabella died in Auckland in 1891 aged 49, of typhoid & pneumonia, and I have been to where she is buried
but her grave is unmarked so I will need to return with some more info from the cemetery to find her for sure.
I think she may have been in Auckland because her daughter was here so even more reason to be excited about a
new cousin on Mary Ann's line.
All these years I have wondered what became of Isabella and never would have suspected she was right here in
Auckland all along!
I have now managed to trace her origins in Scotland since acquiring her marriage certificate, which has been a huge
breakthrough, so it turns out that her bigamous marriage was the key to that!
Fantastic information from Kelley as ever; ...and perhaps this will remind her to send me further details!
Shirley & Bob Elms - Australia 1 January 2010:
I am a great great grandaughter of Roger Alabaster, born 1791 in Ipswich, and Margaret Hedges, through their
daughter Harriet Mary Alabaster. I am not interested in tracing all the family tree but would very much like to know
the names of all the children of Roger Alabaster and Margaret Hedges and also the names of both Roger's and
Margaret’s parents. Would you be able to help me out with this information or tell me how I can find it. I have a
sub to Ancestry.com but its resources are limited. I live in Australia.
I replied with the following information:
I am very happy to share the information that you want with you but I would be interested to know from which of
Harriet Mary Alabaster's children you are descended and any further information you are willing to share. One of our
members is descended from George Ernest Masters, youngest son (I think of Harriet Mary). George was their 3 x gt
grandfather.
But to get back to the information you wanted:
The children of Roger Alabaster and Margaret Hedges were:
Margaret Ann Alabaster b.1815
Leatitia Sarah Alabaster b. 1818 d.1861
Harriette Mary Alabaster b. 1820
Alfred John Alabaster b. 1821 d 1897
Sarah Shaw Alabaster b. 1823
William Henry Alabaster b. 1825 d. 1844
Walter Goddard Alabaster b. 1827 d. 1888
Robert Hedges Alabaster b. 1830 d 1898
The parents of Roger Alabaster were John Alabaster and Deborah Hines;
the father of Margaret Hedges was Nathaniel Hedges.
I hope this helps you!!!
I have just realised that you have contacted me through the Guild of One Name Studies...........have you seen the
Alabaster Society Website at www.alabaster.org.uk
There are some members of the Alabaster Society descended from both Walter Goddard and Robert Hedges
Alabaster as well as Harriette Mary, as mentioned above. LH
2nd Jan 2010:
Thank you so much for getting back to me so promptly with such useful information. I had looked at the Alabaster
Society website and must confess to being rather overwhelmed. I am not very adept at this business of genealogy.
In fact I was hoping to just trace back my grandparents etc without bothering too much about all the children
involved.
You may be interested to know that Harriet Mary Alabaster married John Searle Masters whose daughter Harriet Ann
Masters married Edward Henry Cox, a pork butcher born in St. Luke in 1846. He was my mother's grandfather so I
guess that makes him my maternal great grandfather.
My husband and I live in Australia so unfortunately we would be unable to meet up with others of the clan in the UK.
I have been back to the UK a few times but now feel that the long plane trip with all the annoying security issues
makes it very unlikely that I will get there again, bearing in mind that I am in my seventies!
Once again thank you for your assistance and I would be happy to supply any other information which may be of
interest. I would be interested to know of other decendents of Harriet Mary Alabaster who may be closely related to
me.
|
Greg Harrison (IV) 22nd Jan 2010:
When I was in the library the other day taking advantage of their free ancestry.com membership, I found some
Alabaster information not relevant to my branch and thought perhaps it may be useful to another member of our
happy group.
On 21 Apr 1906, Horace E. Alabaster, age 19 and unmarried arrived at the port of St. John, New Brunswick from
Liverpool aboard the ship Lake Erie. The ship’s purser recorded Horace’s place of birth as Essex and his destination
in Canada as Toronto, Ontario. His occupation was listed as general labourer.
On 3 Sep 1926 Horace Alabaster is now 38 and returned to Liverpool aboard the CP Ship Montcalm. His home address
is listed as 53 Charles Street, Toronto. His address in England is shown as care of his mother, Mrs. C. Alabaster, 208
Fleming Rd., Lloyd’s Park, Walthamstow.
On 25 Sep 1926 Horace returned to Canada aboard the Montclare. If the crossing took a week, that means poor
Horace had only about 15 days to visit his mother after being away for 20 years.
The information available now via the internet is so amazing. This Horace Edmund Alabaster was the younger brother
of my grandmother, Adeline Bertha Alabaster. I had been looking for any information relating to him for the past 20
years until I was contacted by his granddaughter, Chris Drake from Canada last summer.
Kevin Mason - this was found on an online forum:
Hello Listeners,
I am asking for help to connect 2 families. I have tried to join them - and the only result is sheer frustration.
To explain. I am tracing my wife's and my own family trees. Both of our ancestor's are from Bethnal Green,
Shoreditch and the surrounding area.
The family connecting my wife to the Alabaster family is Emma Jarman who married Henry Alabaster (a butcher) in
1850.
My family is connected through 2 sisters who married 2 brothers a) Martha Agass married James Alabaster in 1911
and b) Francis Agass married John Alabaster in 1907.
What I cannot find and want to work out is the connection between Henry Alabaster (the Butcher) and the 2 brothers
John and James.
If any of you Alabasters out there like a little quiz - here is one for you.
I responded and said that I would be likely to be able to help…
25 Jan 2010:
Thank you for answering my query. Are you able to help re the question below. I find it absolutely amazing that my
wife’s family and mine could have a connection, all be it by marriage. I have investigated both my wife’s and my
family history for a few years.
I replied:
Yes, yes! I am able to tell you how you and your wife are related!!! (other than by marriage!) ........... at least, I can
tell you how John and James are related to Henry - and it is very distant! ......... but cannot tell you the precise degree
of cousinship between you and your wife until you let me know your own descent from the Alabaster family, which I
do very much hope you will!
Briefly, ............ Henry is part of Branch IIB while John and James are IIIB - these are just artificial labels we gave to
the family to make things a bit easier, splitting it in about the 17th century. Their common ancestors are William
Alabaster and Ann Clark who married in Claydon, Suffolk on 26th November 1682. Henry was the 3 x gt grandson of
William and Ann. descended from their eldest son William (1689-1768) whereas John and James were the 5 x gt
grandsons of William and Ann, descended from a younger son, Benjamin (1697-1784) - both very long-lived boys!
Henry then, is the 4th cousin twice removed of John and James!
Just noticed - I don't have a record of any children for Henry and Emma..........this is interesting! Please do tell me
how your wife is descended from them. It would be great if you would share information with me.
Kevin replied:
Neither of us is related to the Alabaster family by blood, but just by marriage (so far). Emma Jarman, who married
Henry Alabaster in 1850 was my wife’s g-g-grandfather’s sister. (You are right – there was no children from this
union).
The mother of the Agass sisters, who married the Alabaster brothers at the turn of the last century, is a Mumford and
is my Gt grandfather’s sister.
If there are any Alabasters reading this who are also descended from the Agass sisters and would like to know more
about their ancestors, I will happily put them in touch with their “cousin” Kevin!
|
Deaths - Dec 1892 Greeves Katharine (age) 76 Lewisham 
Herbert Sidney Alabaster (1908-1956) was the father of Tricia Dyer
(IIA). She says that she does not know the exact details of why he
was Mentioned in Despatches but she does know that he was
awarded the Oakleaf. 
