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Date: 9 Feb 2008

Caught your Brinsmeads.net site:

For links to more details on Englishman Lt Col Horace Clowes Brinsmead - one of the last to emigrate to Australia from London and son of Edgar Brinsmead and Annie Bayley:

His Australian Army enlistment records for WW1 (It was the closest army to enlist in when WW1 broke out - he was in the south pacific islands)

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/ItemDetail.asp?M=0&B=3124349

A photo in uniform - which also shows his very strong  link to Civil Aviation in Australia

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/PhotoSearchItemDetail.asp?M=0&B=5118877&SE=1

His WW1 records show he was at the Versailles Treaty signing. They don't show the story that he met Ivy McDonald because he'd promised his mate, if anything happened, to go and break it gently to his fiancée.  Horace must have had a sympathetic shoulder for her to cry on, because the rest, they say, is history.

It's scary, but his great grandson Alexander Charles Brinsmead looks a lot like him.  (the Charles is for Ivy's Dad - Charles MacDonald, a member of the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia 1 January 1901 - Alex was born in 2001)

Helen Brinsmead (nee Whitchurch) m yet another John Brinsmead

Date: 1 Feb 2008

Hello Andy and family.........Just updating my changed email address please...................thanks Andy again for all the wonderful work.... you have put into researching  our family history over a very long time........I never get tired of referring to it again and again........and to Max Brinsmead.... also for his great help to me in times past......when researching was a much  slower process.           

I thank you both very much.

A great site indeed.

Many Thanks, Joan Brown [Brinsmead] jfebrown[at]netspace.net.au

Date: Jan 2008

Greetings and Happy New Year…. We love your website.  I’m the spouse of Duncan Brinsmead and wanted to let you know that Duncan Brinsmead of Autodesk is  one of 10 awardees who has won 2008 Scientific Technical Academy Award Certificates.  This is in addition to the Oscar he received in 2003Along with colleagues he will accept his Academy Award on Feb. 9th, 2008 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. For more information, please connect to:

http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2008/08.01.04a.html

 Anne-Marie Brinsmead

2007

Date: 24 Oct 2007
In researching my family history I have a note left by my mother that "James Patterson Simpson started a piano factory ( Brinsmead)" in the 1870's.  Would you have any records to confirm this?  In 1880 JPS returned to Kimberly, SA and became secretary to De Beer Diamond Mining Company.
Many thanks
Chris Wright

  • Date: 11 Sept 2007

    Hello;  My name is John Saint-Vincent, jsv@dcdi.net.    My Grandfather Phillippi was brother to Raphael Pennacchini, who married Susan Brinsmead, 12-26-1853 at St Bartholemous Lewisham.  I am now tracing my Pennacchini roots through Google.  Thanks for the connection.  Best Regards:  John & Trudy Saint-Vincent.

    Date: 20 April 2007

    • Hello,  My name is Luke William Brinsmead.

    I live in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, my father is William Philip Brinsmead, son of Robert David Brinsmead. Put me in the FamilyTree.

     Luke Brinsmead of Underwater Gardens 0409 610 757 www.underwatergardens.com.au

    • Date: 26 Mar 2007
    My mum received the christmas card - was it two years ago? - and told me of it only today! March 26 2007. Such a pity, we were in Edmonton for the World Masters Games in '05 and could have done some catching up! I'm amazed at the network of Brinsmead's. We have pretty much been the only ones in the phone book and now i find a whole website full of them!!!!! My dad is Douglas Cecil son of Eric and Grace. Dad married Gillian. (info you have) They had three children - Kenneth David b1965, Peter John b1968, Roslyn Janet b1973.Ken married Annegret Dickhoff and now has a son Nils Brinsmead b2002 (live Berlin)Peter married Jennifer Burns and has two daughters- Emily Grace b1998 Madilyn b2000 (live Melbourne)Ros married Brett Edward Leslie Bradley - no children.(live Bendigo, Vic, Australia)Hope you can update a little more now. Regards, Ros Bradley (nee Brinsmead)brettandroz11@bigpond.com

    •
    Date: 22 Feb 2007

    Hello - I recently came across your family tree and would like to add something onto it. I am Natasha Brinsmead, and got married last year to William Griffiths.

    We have no children yet - but I'll keep you updated!

    Thanks  Best wishes  Natasha

     Natasha Brinsmead, Deputy Editor, Homebuilding & Renovating magazine

    Date: 12 Jan 2007

    Great work! Will come back to you, but , please, it’s always St Giles in the WOOD  (Not Woods!) Richard Giles (see grave of grandparents, N2. He was schoolmaster 19xx to 1922

    2006
    Date: 17 Nov 2006

    Hi there,I was so excited to find your website. My mother is Marjorie Ford (Brinsmead) from the Bendigo (Vic. Australia) line. Your records show her marriage to Frank Ford. Her children are: - John Francis Ford b. 1944 Francis Anthony Ford 1946 - Margaret Anne Ford 1951 - Brendan Michael Ford 1953 - Joan Therese Ford 1955 - Peter Julian Ford  1956 Christine Mary Ford 1958 Thanks for such an amazing record of our family. Look forward to your editor's page when it's ready. Where are you located? Cheers, Margaret Chowanetz(Ford) Euroa 3666, Victoria,  Australia.

    Date: 4 Aug 2006

    Hello again

    My nephews wife recently attended a charity auction. An old dusty piano was in the corner and she was drawn to bid for it.

    Turns out to be a Brinsmead "boudoir" piano.Could be worth £20,000 if they invest a couple of grand to restore.

    regards Tessa Kirk.

    Date: 26 July 2006

    Hello.

    The Universities of Calgary and Laval have a Canadian local histories project online: OUR ROOTS/nos racines. Just what they found on their shelves...

    Included is the HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY 1889 and the INDEXED reprint of 1972.

    Re Rebecca Scandrett, she was born a Fitzgerald of the line of the 1819 Tipperary migration. Widowed with young children, Devon migrant John Tanton a widower, his young offspring also dead, they married in 1864. Two children of this union.

    Back to a careful reading of your website.  Regards from Ontario.

     

    Date: 14 June 2006
    My name is gary jennings son of olive brinsmead her father john cecil his father cecil john I'm looking for any Brinsmeads with the same family line my e mail is g.jennings1@ntlworld.com  Martine Rolff in Australia please contact me

     

    Date: 8 June 2006
    My name is Gary Jennings son of Olive Brinsmead she has two sisters june and peggy their father's name was john .I know little else only that my mother has photos of which I have seen on the web site we all still live in the London area.

    Date: 14 May 2006

    Hello Andy, David, and Peter!

    Just ran across your Brinsmead.net website. The "Hadley Brinsmead Williams, who really sparked off this delve into the past . . . " was my Father. I missed the trip to London, Ont. when the rest of the family went - I believe it was in 1963 and I was working that summer in Venezuela. I believe Susan and Elisha were both there along with my Mother. Did you all meet?  If you want to add to the website info about our branch of the family, I can put some things together . . . and ask my cousin Denis, daughter of Gwendolyn Armstrong Williams Dixon (not sure of my aunt's official name) to help.

    Hadley Cogswell Williams - Miami, Florida, USA
    Date: 5 May 2006

    This is a most useful and interesting web site!

     I am the Grandson of Violet E. Brinsmead, daughter of Lance Corporal Frederick William Brinsmead, who died in service 4th August 1916 at the Somme.

     If anyone has any useful information relating to the above it would be most appreciated. (russell.pilgrim@fsmail.net)

     Thanks

    Russell Pilgrim

    Date: 4 May 2006

    My name is Karen Hay, daughter of Helen Smith Brinsmead, granddaughter of Percival Brinsmead.   My cousin Susan Lehman Brinsmead told me of a family reunion  on July 15/06 in Red Deer Alberta.  My family is attempting to attend this but we would like more information.  Can you help me with this??  my home  email address is karenhay[at]shaw.ca

    Thanks in advance, Karen Hay

    Date: 26 April 2006

    Your family tree is brilliant.

    And I would like to let you know that Toby John (previously Toby Jason) Brinsmead and I added to the clan when Charlotte Mary Brinsmead was born on 4 Dec 2004 - a younger sister to Max John. Can you add her to the tree.  Jessica Brinsmead

  • Date: 26 April 2006

    Hello Mr Sims

    I emailed some months ago with some updates on the British Brinsmeads – I am the daughter of the Rev Keith Brinsmead, whose obituary you feature. I notice you haven’t included them, so either you didn’t get the email or you’re too busy – or you’re no longer updating the site, which would be a great shame, because it’s fascinating and a brilliant example of a family site.

    If you do want to hear from me, please do let me know by email and I’ll fill you in on a few more members of  the Brinsmead family.  Regards Jane Brambley (nee Brinsmead)

    Date: 16 April 2006

    My sister's son, Brian Huseland has kept me informed about my mother's family. I do not have any memories of mother's parents, but she told me a lot about her father, the U.S. Army Band Master who at one time worked for John Phillip Sousa. I knew about his childhood trip west and army career. After reading about my Grandfather on your web site, I know more  about my ancestors and I like it! Thank you, Andy.

    Alan M. Fournier

    Son of Clara Elizabeth Fournier, nee Brindsmead

    Uncle of Brian "The Kid" Huseland (He really is a klutz, you know.)

    Date: 9 April 2006

    G’day, my name is John Hellyer and my Grandmother is Elizabeth Brinsmead and my Grandfather is Thomas Mawle. Thomas was born 13/10/1865 and passed away in my bedroom at Rozelle, Sydney on 29/8/1950. They were married on 8/11/1889 and my mother who has since passed away was the youngest child. Thomas’s father is buried at Berry in the same grave as my mother and father is buried. You probably have all this information and it was quite by accident I came across your site as I was Googleing my son’s name Wayne Hellyer and was quite surprised to find him first on the list and of course I kept feeding names and came across your very interesting site.

    Kind Regards, John.  johnhellyer[at]optusnet.com.au

     

    Date: 28 March 2006

     

    Hello there

     Just love the Letter from Henry Brinsmead - to his brotherso informative and entertaining too. I do hope libraries in Australia know about it. My interest is that my husband's ancestors left a parish nearby where the Brinsmeads were- Merton - to go to Canada around 1851 and so the detail about the life of privation in England in that area of Devon is most interesting. I live in Australia and the other interest is in  all the references to the goldfields. I have been to all the places mentioned - Buninyong and Alexandra. Buninyong, now a tiny town, was once going to be the capital of Victoria and has some fine old buildings. My brother lives 5 minutes from there.

     Much appreciate your putting this on the web.

     Elaine Hopper Melbourne Australia

    Date: 16 March 2006

    Dear Editor

    I have just found a nurses uniform in a vintage clothes shop in Nottingham. The name tag says Una Brinsmead and the label said early 20th Century. A friend who studies WW2 uniforms says it is from the late thirties or forties.

    Do you know if Una Pines Brinsmead (as listed on your site) was a nurse around this period?

    The only other shred of evidence is that the Cuffs and Collar were bought at Garroulds of Edgware Rd London.

    Yours, Heather Mikhail

    Date: 9 March 2006

    Hi,

    I came across your site whilst searching for information on the Brimsmead surname in Great Torrington, Devon. I think I may be able to add a 'snippet' of information to your family tree regarding Fanny Brimstead the daughter of William Brimstead and Mary Ireland. I am not descendant of Fanny's but her husband John Wilson married twice and John and his second wife are my 2nd Great Grandparents. I think John was a bit of a rouge!

     As you are aware John and Fanny married in 1840. John was the son of Joseph  and Ann Wilson (nee Seldon)  who lived at the time in Taddiport, Little Torrington where Joseph was the Innkeeper. On the 1841 census John and Fanny  were living in  Well Street, Great Torrington with their

    2 month old daughter. John was a carpenter in 1841. By 1843 the couple had moved to Bristol where their second child William Brinsmead Wilson was born in 1843. Another son Joseph was born in 1845 in Bristol. I assume that Fanny died soon after the birth of Joseph as his father remarried in 1848 but I have not found a death registration for Fanny to date. In 1848 John Wilson married Elizabeth Pickin in Eccleshall, Staffordshire at the time John gives his occupation as a policeman. In 1850 John was the landlord of the 'Swan Inn' in the High Street, Eccleshall. On the1851 census he is living with his wife Elizabeth in Newdigate Street, Eccleshall still an Innkeeper. Elizabeth's mother is living with the family and the couple have a daughter Sarah Elizabeth born in 1849. John's son Joseph b.1845 was living with the couple. Son William Brinsmead was living with John's widowed mother in Taddiport, Devon and Mary Ann was living with her maternal grandmother in Great Torrington.

     John and Elizabeth had four more children between 1852 and 1859, James b.1852, Lydia b.1853, Annie Elizabeth b.1855 and John b.1859. Their daughter Sarah died in 1853. When Lydia was born in 1853 the couple were living in Sash Street, Stafford and John was a warder at Stafford Goal.

    (Lydia is my great grandmother). The information available suggests that John may have deserted his wife by the 1861 census. Elizabeth was living in Cross Street, Stafford with her four children working as a 'char woman'. John was living in Brownhouse Street, East Stonehouse, Devon. He gives his occupation as a policeman. John and Fanny's son's are in Staffordshire. William was an apprentice shoe maker at the home of Wright Richard in Salter Street, Stafford. Joseph was also an apprentice shoe maker at the home of  Henry Moor in Grey Friars, Stafford. Mary Ann was a dairymaid and living with Lydia and William Martin in Taddiport, Devon. Lydia was her aunt the sister of John Wilson.

    In 1871 John Wilson was living in Hanley, Stoke on Trent a lodger at the home of  John Baker in Oldham Street.He describes himself as a widower however,  Elizabeth was alive and well and still living in Cross Street, Stafford. She died in 1880.  In 1871 John gives his occupation as 'bailiff' (this was a court bailiff rather than a farm bailiff). I have been unable to locate his son William or daughter Mary Ann. His son Joseph married Eleanor Degg in 1867 at Christ Church, Stafford. In 1871 they were living in New Street, Stafford with their daughter Jessie born in 1870. Joseph was a shoemaker.

     In 1881 John Wilson is listed as an inmate of Stafford Goal. I have not been able to find a record of a trial for him to date but I'm still looking. In 1891 he is living in Bath Street, Hanley a boarder at the home of  Harriett Knott. He gives his occupation as a ' local sheriffs officer'. He died in 1896.

    His son Joseph and his wife Eleanor were living in Browning Street, Stafford where Joseph gives his occupation as a 'master confectioner'.

    In 1891 he still describes himself as a 'confectioner' but he was a 'shoe finisher' on the 1901 census.In 1891 the couple were living in Foregate Street and moved to the back of Brewery Street by 1901. The couple are known to have had at least seven children: Jessie b.1870, William Brinsmead b.1872, George Herbert b.1876, Jane b.1883, James Arthur 1885 - 1896 and  Fanny b.1888. Jessie married Cornelius Brown in1916 in Stafford. William Brinsmead married Elizabeth Ecclestone in 1899. The couple were living Cottage Street, Stafford in 1901 with their six month old daughter Florence. William was a 'clicker' in the boot trade in 1901.

    After that atempt to summarise my research I wondered if you may know anymore about Fanny, John's first wife or their children William and Mary Ann. From reading your pages I am wondering if he may have emigrated and if you may have come across him during your research.

    Best wishes 

    Jill

    Date: 1 March 2006

    Hi my name is Tiff Brinsmead and I am 12 years old. I am Peter Brinsmead's youngest daughter. My sister Samantha Brinsmead is Peter Brinsmead's oldest Daughter. My Grandfather is Graeme Leslie Brinsmead. Pop (Graeme) also has a daughter Jayne (my aunty/Peters younger sister). I write this asking if you would please add Samantha, Jayne and Myself. If you need details please send me an email at spinna_93[at]hotmail.com


     

    Date: 25 Feb 2006

    This email is from Peter Denis Brinsmead – born Hornchurch 1932 – living in Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire. There are some amendments required to the entry under my name …

     Originally married Gladys May Jacobs in 1955 – marriage ended in divorce 1985 

    Re-married in 1985 to Janet Mary Hawkins.  No issue from this union. Found the site very interesting, including the worldwide site …  Regards, Peter.

    Date: 6 Feb 2006

    Think your website is terrific.  John Brinsmead (piano) was my great-great grandfather,  his grand-daughter Annie Emily Brinsmead 1887-1983 was my grandmotherI was very close to her particularly in my late teens and early 20s and she told me many family stories.  So fond was I that my third son has her surname as one of his middle names.  I WOULD LOVE TO JOIN YOUR RESEARCH GROUP. YOURS, Rachel Latey

     

    Date: 28 Jan 2006

    My Name is David  Brinsmead, son of Gene Brinsmead, son of Thomas (Tom) Brinsmead. Uncle of Cuortney (guest book 3/05). I would like to pass on the little I know about us. If your interested let me know.     Dave

    2005
    Date: 21 Dec 2005

    Congratulations on a great site.  I am a descendant of the Peter JUDD that is mentioned in the letter home to England and yes they did come to Australia.

    Joan Vivian

    Date: 13 June 2005

    Hello, Andy.  I was searching through some New Zealand newspaper archives online, and came across this entry, which I thought would amuse you for it's sheer obscurity!

     "Nelson Evening Mail Friday 28th February 1908 Page 4 Col 10 Miscellaneous Wires [Press Assn - Copyright] (from) Auckland, Thursday

    A cable has been received announcing the death at London of Mr John Brinsmead, of the firm of Brinsmead and Sons, Limited, piano manufacturers.

    Deceased was in his 95th year."

    The editor obviously felt there were enough Brinsmead pianos in Nelson to warrant the entry!

    I have a small correction to make to one of your family trees on your Brinsmead website.  An indirect ancestor, Robert SQUIRE married Harriet Brinsmead (b 1922, St Giles in the Wood).  You have their first child listed as a daughter, Legh, whereas, in fact he was a son.  He married Mary Hannah, surname unknown, and their children's surnames were SQUIRE, not Hannah.

    According to the 1891 and 1901 censuses, Mary Hannah ? was born in Stithians, Cornwall, but I've not had the time to find out who she was.

     Cheers for now.

     Frances Lankow

    Auckland, New Zealand

    Date: 12 June 2005

    Hugh Brinsmead Tancock, his sister Elizabeth Caroline Brinsmead Squire and her daughter, Caroline Elizabeth Hudd (nee Squire) are buried in Greenbank Cemetary, Greenbank Rd, Bristol. Apparently this is a family grave and there are others buried in it, but we dont know who.I have a picture of the headstone if you are interested.  Katie Brown - Australia

    Date: 14 Mar 2005

    Hi

    Fantastic site, and amazing to open and see a photo of my great-great grandfather! I'm Sandra, daugher of Leslie (and Marjorie Knowles) who was a son of Horace Herbert, grandson of Reuben and great grandson of William. I'm interested in Brinsmead family research, and my email is smcraig@bigpond.com.au. It would be great if children of Leslie by Norma (surname unknown) would contact me.

    Date: 07 Mar 2005

    Wonderful - George Brinsmead from Monterey.

    Date: 07 Mar 2005

    My name is Courtney Brinsmead I am 14 years old and I think I am very fortunate to be able to read about my ancestors. This is amazing, I did not know there were so many Brinsmeads.

    Date: 05 Mar 2005

    hi, i have recently acquired a John Brinsmead piano and am interested as to what the value may be. The serial number is 38964, it has a flower inlay and is made of walnut. Can anyone answer my query? Suzy, Stoke-on-Trent sturner@sgfl.org.uk

    Date: 27 Feb 2005

    I have inherited my great grandmothers Brinsmead style 18 piano NO 46055. She purchased it from Andrew Byrne & Co, Hobart Tasmania, on October 3rd 1890, the origional receipt has been kept. Would you be able to tell me what year this piano was manufactured and what it would be worth. (No,it is not for sale). It is still is beautiful condition and still has origional candle holders. Email address lani_ford@hotmail.com would appreciate any information. Thanks Laine

    Date: 26 Feb 2005

    a.brinsmead@utoronto.ca

    Thank you for the site

    Children of Susan Brinsmead (daughter of Alan Brinsmead) are:

    Heather Brinsmead Dawn Brinsmead Heidi Brinsmead

    brother of Susan Brinsmead (son of Alan Brinsmead), Duncan Brinsmead (b. Jan. 26, 1960) married Anne-Marie Stone. Son of Duncan Brinsmead is Alan Stanley Brinsmead (b. June 23, 1987).

    Thank you for additing this information to your site.

    Do not hesitate to be in touch for more info. Duncan Brinsmead

    Date: 26 Feb 2005

    Dear Andy

    take a look at this.

    http://www.thomasfowler.org.uk/

    Also stick '"Thomas Fowler" ternary' into google.

    I wonder if TF and JB's path's crossed. The mechanism looks very pianoish.

    One of the papers mentions -0+ method of writing balanced terrnary. I have reinvented this, in pursuit of the 12 coin problem. (Given twelve coins, one of which is faulty, find the culprit and its fault in three weighings on a balance). It is possible to devise a set of weighings which gives the coin number if you consider the three results as 3 figures in a balanced (centre-zero) ternary coding.

    Very long odds wd be that there's something in the Broadwood archive at Surrey History Centre, which isn't too far from here. Broadwood helped JB after one of his fires. I haven't discovered if JB responded in kind when Broadwood had a fire.

    Hope all's going well

    Regards - Chris.

    Date: 23 Feb 2005

    Hi,

    This is a very comprehensive family tree site. I live in Sydney Australia and own a John Brinsmead and Sons upright piano. I was searching the web to find any indication of the value of such a piano today. Would you have any idea or can you direct me to any internet site/person in Sydney who can help me?

    Cheers Boonee

    Booneegomez@yahoo.com.au

    Date: 18 Feb 2005

    this site is cool i would like too see more pictures of webbwood since ive lived here for 10 years!! Webbwood rocks i wish we still had some of the old building for historical purposes. well if u find more pictures email them too me vapor75@msn.com thanx Corey

    Date: 07 Feb 2005

    I own a beautiful upright player style with bellows an pedals etc. I know nothing of the history or year made and are pictures available? my address is moonspill@cox.net

    Date: 16 Jan 2005

    Hi

    I was very interested in seeing your site. It is great. I am sure that I have come accross a smaller version in the past. Anyway my connection is through William Brinsmead born 1841 in Devon who married Caroline Radford. Caroline is the daughter of Joseph Radford and Caroline Hexter. I married into the Hexter family. I would love to know if you have any details of these Brinsmeads on your site as I can't find anything. I would be happy to exchange information.

    Regards

    Joan England  joanmargaretadam@aol.com

    Date: 13 Jan 2005

    What a fantastic site. I am an Australian Brinsmead decended from the Geelong connection and grew up on a family farm at Morwell, son of Bruce, who is listed in your index. I have quite a lot of family information and photographs, some going back to the Geelong Brinsmeads. I will sort it out and forward what may be useful. My full name is Gregory Stewart James Brinsmead. email address. gsjb@tpg.com.au

    Date: 09 Jan 2005

    A nice site. I'm related to a Thomas Mawle who married Elizabeth Florence Brinsmead in Victoria, Australia in 1889. I could share some details about Thomas and their children if you'd like to email me. Cheers

    David Mawle dmawle@sympatico.ca