Copyright 2009-2010 Akehurster World
Betty Unlocks Doors with Keys to Family Trees
We are truly indebted to Betty Holford-Smith for supplying original and copies of many years research on the Akhurst & Akehurst family names. Betty is a member of the Felixstowe Family History Society which was formed 8 years ago and plays an active part in its activities as well as manning the research centre on Friday mornings.
Her own research into the family started more than twenty years ago when she retired from teaching. Since then, Betty has recently obtained a degree in local history and been very active in organising V-E Day celebrations at Portsmouth where she met up with some friends she hasn't seen in 50 years. Betty was a despatch rider for the Royal Navy during and after the War. (This is very relative to the Akhurst history)
Over the years, Betty has collated data from many varied sources. She has compiled a detailed BMD Index Registry of Akhurst names and many Akehurst's as well. First at Somerset House and lately at St. Katherine's. She says in a letter,
"fortunately, I did my post-1837 research while the GRO was still at Somerset House and was rarely used - 12 at once was then a crowd!!"
Her meticulous work has benefited many family history's, including my own and David Murdock's.
Betty, we are truly grateful for the inspiration and encouragement you have given us all.
Ak(e)hurst IGI Index
All the Ak(e)hurst names and variations from the IGI CD-ROM Index have been sent by David Murdock. These have now been converted into a database and are available free in report format from your continental representative. You can specify what sort of report you would like but a Stamped Addressed Envelope would be appreciated please. Contact your Continental representative for details. Alternatively, the data is available in zipped .Dbf format.
Akhurst BMD Index
The Akhurst BMD index compiled by Betty, is currently being computerised. The Birth section is now complete. It shows, Year, Quarter, Surname, Christian Names, Registry, County, Family Tree (Where known), and notes.
There are some 672 births split 354 male (53%) 318 Female (47%). The highest concentration of the Akhurst name is in the North Kent coastal areas some 70% were born here.
The Registry with the most births is Milton with 123, 18% of the database. The Isle of Sheppey, had 53 births, followed by West Ashford with 43, the Medway towns with 38 and Faversham with 35 births. London as we know it now, fared well with 113 births.
It is hoped The Marriage and Death index will be completed in the next 2-3 months. This will now also include some Akehurst details which were received late May 1995.
The Will index is completed but only covers Akehurst & Akhurst entries. (New entries up to 1915 have since arrived.) The original document also includes Akers and derivatives.
Other News
Bill Hopkins of Sevenoaks in Kent wrote in response to the mail shot that went to 43 known A/c/k/e/hurst researchers. Bill sent in some census info. for 1851 & 1861. Unwittingly, did he realise that he had included David Murdock’s GGGrand Father’s family for whom he was searching for details.
In a previous letter some of Hazel Mitchell’s family in Milton also turned up. Thanks Bill it just goes to prove that someone out there may have that vital piece of the jigsaw.
Murder Most Fowl
The following story concerns an Akhurst sent to me by Bill Hopkins originally came from Andrew Oliver, Rose Court, Bethersden, Kent.
"Now, a little about Grandmother Freeman, her surname before marriage was Brazier, it seems her mother was married for a second time, her first husband's name was AKHURST, he was a higgler, a collector and buyer of fowl and eggs, which he disposed of at Chatham, Kent.
He promised his wife a present on his return. But on his return journey at a point called Chart Court, some ruffians stopped him, took out the lynch pins from the axle, which caused the wheels to fall off, robbed him of his money, knocked him dead, probably he fought.
Great Grandmother's present, a red shawl was found under the wagon."
This event would have taken place between Nov 1820 and May 1822. Thanks Bill, you are becoming a regular contributor to this auspicious newsletter. Keep it up.
Complete Revamp
A letter arrived in September 1995 from Peter Akehurst of Seaford, Sussex.. Peter did a lot of his research in the 1970's and with later Census records being now available (up to 1891) has found that the original James Akehurst was not in fact his family.
With ages given in the Census it gave an error of 3 or 4 years and he has now been able to re-adjust his family tree. He has also been doing further research as his wife's mother was an Akehurst before she married.
We are truly indebted to Betty Holford-Smith for supplying original and copies of many years research on the Akhurst & Akehurst family names. Betty is a member of the Felixstowe Family History Society which was formed 8 years ago and plays an active part in its activities as well as manning the research centre on Friday mornings.
Her own research into the family started more than twenty years ago when she retired from teaching. Since then, Betty has recently obtained a degree in local history and been very active in organising V-E Day celebrations at Portsmouth where she met up with some friends she hasn't seen in 50 years. Betty was a despatch rider for the Royal Navy during and after the War. (This is very relative to the Akhurst history)
Over the years, Betty has collated data from many varied sources. She has compiled a detailed BMD Index Registry of Akhurst names and many Akehurst's as well. First at Somerset House and lately at St. Katherine's. She says in a letter,
"fortunately, I did my post-1837 research while the GRO was still at Somerset House and was rarely used - 12 at once was then a crowd!!"
Her meticulous work has benefited many family history's, including my own and David Murdock's.
Betty, we are truly grateful for the inspiration and encouragement you have given us all.
Ak(e)hurst IGI Index
All the Ak(e)hurst names and variations from the IGI CD-ROM Index have been sent by David Murdock. These have now been converted into a database and are available free in report format from your continental representative. You can specify what sort of report you would like but a Stamped Addressed Envelope would be appreciated please. Contact your Continental representative for details. Alternatively, the data is available in zipped .Dbf format.
Akhurst BMD Index
The Akhurst BMD index compiled by Betty, is currently being computerised. The Birth section is now complete. It shows, Year, Quarter, Surname, Christian Names, Registry, County, Family Tree (Where known), and notes.
There are some 672 births split 354 male (53%) 318 Female (47%). The highest concentration of the Akhurst name is in the North Kent coastal areas some 70% were born here.
The Registry with the most births is Milton with 123, 18% of the database. The Isle of Sheppey, had 53 births, followed by West Ashford with 43, the Medway towns with 38 and Faversham with 35 births. London as we know it now, fared well with 113 births.
It is hoped The Marriage and Death index will be completed in the next 2-3 months. This will now also include some Akehurst details which were received late May 1995.
The Will index is completed but only covers Akehurst & Akhurst entries. (New entries up to 1915 have since arrived.) The original document also includes Akers and derivatives.
Other News
Bill Hopkins of Sevenoaks in Kent wrote in response to the mail shot that went to 43 known A/c/k/e/hurst researchers. Bill sent in some census info. for 1851 & 1861. Unwittingly, did he realise that he had included David Murdock’s GGGrand Father’s family for whom he was searching for details.
In a previous letter some of Hazel Mitchell’s family in Milton also turned up. Thanks Bill it just goes to prove that someone out there may have that vital piece of the jigsaw.
Murder Most Fowl
The following story concerns an Akhurst sent to me by Bill Hopkins originally came from Andrew Oliver, Rose Court, Bethersden, Kent.
"Now, a little about Grandmother Freeman, her surname before marriage was Brazier, it seems her mother was married for a second time, her first husband's name was AKHURST, he was a higgler, a collector and buyer of fowl and eggs, which he disposed of at Chatham, Kent.
He promised his wife a present on his return. But on his return journey at a point called Chart Court, some ruffians stopped him, took out the lynch pins from the axle, which caused the wheels to fall off, robbed him of his money, knocked him dead, probably he fought.
Great Grandmother's present, a red shawl was found under the wagon."
This event would have taken place between Nov 1820 and May 1822. Thanks Bill, you are becoming a regular contributor to this auspicious newsletter. Keep it up.
Complete Revamp
A letter arrived in September 1995 from Peter Akehurst of Seaford, Sussex.. Peter did a lot of his research in the 1970's and with later Census records being now available (up to 1891) has found that the original James Akehurst was not in fact his family.
With ages given in the Census it gave an error of 3 or 4 years and he has now been able to re-adjust his family tree. He has also been doing further research as his wife's mother was an Akehurst before she married.
