DavidGrain
master brummie
There is a theory that Charlie Chaplin was born on the Black patch and his birth was never registered.
Hi. Your best bet would be to get in touch with Ted Rudge, who is an authority on Romany Gypsies and the Black Patch.I am currently looking at a possible link in my family tree to the Gypsy's of the Black Patch.
I was wondering if anyone might know of a Gypsy from there called Billy Broadhead that was apparently quite well know in Horse Breading or Racing (not sure of the exact details)
Try ted.rudge@virginmedia.com or this websiteThank you kindly for the reply Gerry. How would I best get in touch with Ted?
Best advice, is go to Ted Rudge; details are on here earlier. Ted is THE authority.Hi all,
We are currently looking at our family tree. My great grandmother was called Eliza smith and I have been told she was related to gypsy royalty. I do not know her husband’s name but her son was called John Walter foster who married Alice Elizabeth Green. Eliza was said to be very young when she married and John Walter was born in 1912. I know it’s not much to go on but does anyone know of any additional information about Eliza.
Interesting read. I know that Romanies never wanted to be classed with Travelers. Romany people, are people who do an honest days work usually grafting. Thank you for bringing the Black Patch back to the fore again.Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month – some digital resources including the Black Patch.
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month – some digital resources
Introduction ‘Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Month’ was launched in 2008 to celebrate the culture of Travellers and combat ongoing myths and prejudices about those communities. The general history of th…theironroom.wordpress.com
Hi Gerry,Trivia. My Grandad Jack Hill, moved around the Midlands a lot with his vardo. I remember as a five or six year old, visiting my Nan & Grandad in a field way out at Chadwick End. We had milk from the churn, and eggs from his chickens. it was a in a meadow surrounded by wild flowers. Grandad, like a lot of Romany's made musical instruments, and he played a hand made One String Fiddle , and a jews harp. He would also play Bones..
Yes, he did. After they were moved on from Chadwick End, he built a wooden building, all by himself, with a tin roof, and polished lino flooring. It stood on a bank of grass in Glenavon Road, Kings Heath, and I would visit Nan & him there, traveling across Birmingham on the 50 bus. I remember it vividly. Sadly no one has any record of it, even the Kings Heath Library, which surprises me, as it was so unusual. Then they moved to Bolton Road or Street in the Digbeth area of Brum, and later across to a little semi in Tamworth. Grandad hated living in a house. Thanks.Hi Gerry,
Am I right in thinking your Grandad lived in Tamworth?
I have narrated the Chaplin documentary, which I understand is out in September, in New York & then Paris, followed by the UK.Some Black Patch stories in Travellers Times https://www.travellerstimes.org.uk/search/content?keys=Black+Patch
Excellent news, Gerry! I look forward to it.I have narrated the Chaplin documentary, which I understand is out in September, in New York & then Paris, followed by the UK.