News
Photos for Individuals
Sunday, January 21, 2024 4:07 PM

Due to website constraints I can no longer have lots of individual photos. They can be found in the Album. 

 

Louisa Sophia Clarke
Sunday, April 24, 2022 3:10 PM

Finally found my Gt Grandmother's burial in Streatham Cemetery

Jones/Holl Family
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 6:14 PM

Many thanks to Rose for supplying information on the above family. Also a photograph of her mother with her Uncle Bev

Clark Family in Tasmania
Thursday, April 7, 2022 3:51 PM

New data added to make these families more complete, corrected marriages also,

Skinner Family
Friday, March 18, 2022 5:02 PM

My contact Deryck Skinner has died, never spoke to him but had lots of emails over the past 15 years. Will be sadly missed

1921 Census
Friday, March 18, 2022 3:14 PM

Updating and correcting details on various families

Clarke/Dammers Family - Thursday, 17 March 2022
Thursday, March 17, 2022 3:08 PM

Added Clarke/Dammers Family.

Carden Family - Sunday, March 22, 2020
Thursday, March 17, 2022 3:08 PM

New information on the above family, many thanks to Alan
 

Bellamy Family - Sunday, January 12, 2020 10:01 AM
Thursday, March 17, 2022 3:06 PM

Many thanks to Jim for additional information on this family.

Thursday, March 17, 2022 2:08 PM

Burnand Family
Thursday, May 30, 2019 10:04 AM
A huge thank you to Bob Phillips providing new information on the Burnand Family.

Family History Contact
Tuesday, May 7, 2019 11:34 AM
I have heard the sad news today that a lovely lady I met years ago, Tessa King has died. We kept in contact via email and facebook since we first met in London.

Tuppen Family
Monday, April 29, 2019 9:54 AM
Many thanks to Paul Tuppen for sending me photos of headstone for Frederick and Walter Tuppen. Now attached to their individual entries.

Colquhoun Family
Tuesday, March 19, 2019 10:51 AM
Many thanks to Ian for supplying additional information on the above family.

Boyd Family
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 6:53 PM
Many thanks to Jim for sending me the details of another daughter for Thomas and Grace Boyd.

Smart Family
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 5:13 PM
Many thanks to John Berry for additional details on this family.

Hazell Family
Monday, September 24, 2018 8:27 AM
Jonathan Hazell contacted me with a missing relative, which I have now added to the family, many thanks

Thursday, March 17, 2022 2:08 PM

Abbott Family
Tuesday, September 18, 2018 12:31 PM
Death dates for Ernest and Edith Abbott, many thanks to Shirley for this information.

Ballance Family
Saturday, August 18, 2018 6:31 AM
Many thanks to Peter Guy for details on the death of Olive Gwendoline Ballance.

Elijah Dixon
Saturday, June 16, 2018 3:08 PM
Many thanks to Alan Hampson and Rob Hargreaves for sending me their book titled "Beyond Peterloo" on Elijah Dixon who is in the

Tolliss and Berger family tree.

Panton-Wells Family
Friday, May 25, 2018 7:07 AM
New details on the above family from Gary in Canada, Many thanks

Thursday, March 17, 2022 2:08 PM

McNamara Family
Monday, April 23, 2018 9:13 AM
2 photos of this family from my Canadian FH contact, much appreciated.  Plus marriage details, many thanks

Gates Family
Wednesday, February 21, 2018 9:18 AM
Additional details on the Gates Family from my Canadian FH Contact, many thanks

Castleden Family
Monday, January 29, 2018 7:26 PM
Many thanks to David Castleden for new details on the above family.

Lemarchand family
Saturday, August 26, 2017 7:14 PM
Correction to Joseph Jeremiah details courtesy of Derek Lemarchand, many thanks

Gates Family
Tuesday, August 15, 2017 2:37 PM
New information on the Gates Family, many thanks to FH contact.

Bird Family
Wednesday, August 2, 2017 5:45 PM
New details on the Bird Family , thanks to Susan Allen

Thursday, March 17, 2022 2:03 PM

Photos
Sunday, July 9, 2017 1:37 PM
New photos in album of Shelland Church and William and Susanna Peddar's headstone.

Tuzzio Family
Sunday, May 28, 2017 2:43 PM
Many thanks to Sophie for a photo of Raymond Kitchener Tuzzio.

Roskell/Withers Family
Sunday, April 23, 2017 12:51 PM
New photos on album of the above supplied by John Roskell, many thanks.

ALLEYNE Family
Friday, April 21, 2017 10:22 AM
Thanks to Derek for extra details on the above family, much appreciated

PAUNCEFOTE Family
Friday, April 21, 2017 10:21 AM
Grateful thanks for additional details on the above from Robert

Ward Family
Monday, April 17, 2017 1:39 PM
Thanks to Mildred in New Zealand for additional details on the above family.

Thursday, March 17, 2022 1:53 PM

Ogier Family
Many thanks to Clif for sending me a link for this family.

Photos added to individuals
Sunday, March 26, 2017 4:45 PM
Thanks to Chris Moorman and Rosalind Bloor for photos of some of the Postlethwaite Family.

Pollard Family
Thursday, March 16, 2017 12:41 PM
Many thanks to Liz in Australia for giving me new names for this family.

Steinmetz Family
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 10:42 AM
New details on the Steinmetz Family, grateful thanks to Elizabeth.

Steigenberger/Stanhope family
Saturday, February 11, 2017 7:18 PM
A breakthrough in the above connection thanks to David Clay, many thanks.

Green family
Saturday, February 11, 2017 7:16 PM
Many thanks to Stephenie for additional information on the Green Family.

Eales Family
Monday, February 6, 2017 8:28 AM
Many thanks to Martha in Canada for information on this family and photo of Annie Clark.

Pont Family
Friday, January 13, 2017 4:23 PM
Link between the Tolliss tree and Blott & Brimson tree with Daisy Hider nee Pont .1897-1941

Guenigault Family
Saturday, December 3, 2016 3:00 PM
Many thanks to Pamela for updates on the Guenigault Family.

Withers Family
Tuesday, November 8, 2016 4:43 PM
Thanks to Angela for information on the Withers family.

WYLLYS Family
Tuesday, November 8, 2016 4:41 PM
Many thanks to Sylvia for updates on the Wyllys family.

Medill/Duckworth Family
Monday, October 17, 2016 9:58 AM
Thanks to Simon Duckworth with new information on the Medill/Duckworth Family.

Family Updates and Corrections
Saturday, March 7, 2015 6:25 PM
Corrections to dates on the Ainger Family from Thomas, many thanks

Additional details on the Crozier family in Australia grateful thanks to John Major

Extra information on the Burns family of Seaton Carew, many thanks to Grenville

New details for the Nelson and Vidler family from Peter, many thanks

Additional information on the Death family thanks to Collin

Extra family details on the Bird family thanks to Mark in New Zealand

New details on the Wyllys family thanks to Heather

Photo of Willian Van Sommer and Wimbledon Old Centrals Football Team in Album, many thanks to Rob Dale.

New details on the McConnell family thanks to Marilyn in Australia. Photo of McConnell family in Album

Photo of  Mary Elizabeth Pailthorpe's headstone, many thanks to Bob Davenport.

New details on Corbin family many thanks to Bill

In my possession book belonging to Robert Vardy Strange kindly sent by Jean Hardwick if you are a Strange descendant and would like this book, please contact me.

In my possession Prayer book belonging to Eliza Josephine AUBERT dated 1863, many thanks to Rosemary Burnby for giving me the book in the hope that I can find a descendant. Picture of Eliza's home in the gallery.

About

In February 2000 after my adopted parents had both died, I decided to try and found out about my natural parents. With the help of the internet and by putting my birth surname of Tolliss into google. Another Tolliss was selling his car at the time, so I contacted him with a carefully worded email. This distant cousin told me I had a 1st cousin who lived in Australia and he contacted him on my behalf. Hence I saw the first pictures of my mother. There was no father’s name on the birth certificate and as no-one in the family knew about me, there was little chance of finding out about him. However the information from these 2 people, who welcomed this stranger into their family, fed my desire to find out more about my new family.

The Tolliss name can be spelt with one S or two according to whomever was recording the event at the time. The family in the UK has included occupations ranging from Farm Labourers to Doctors. Where I have the most information is in the 19th century. The Tolliss family inhabited the East London area. Two generations worked in the Silk Industry and Brushmaking . It was in the mid 19th century, when part of the Tolliss family moved from London to Birmingham and diversified into different occupations. I believe I have found more members of the family in Norfolk, spelt with one S. The appearance of Rodwell as a first name occurs in 1749 in New Buckenham.

My Grandfather Frederick Tolliss was a Grocer. He moved to Brighton from London where he met his wife Florence Guy. They had three children (LilianEric and Guy) and emigrated to Durban, South Africa. My Grandfather remained in Durban but my grandmother did not find the South African way of life suited her so came back to England with the 3 children. In 1913 Guy, known as Jack, returned to South Africa for health reasons with his aunt Emma Guy. My Grandmother with Lilian and Eric, who was studying to be an architect, stayed in London. Eric when he finished his training joined his father and brother back in Durban. Lilian (my mother) became an actress, stage name Zetta Morenta. Her greatest claim to fame was acting as a double for Gracie Fields in 3 of her films; Sing as you Go 1934, Look Up and Laugh 1935 and Queen of Hearts 1936. She also appeared on the stage in London as “Ermyntrude” in The Perfect Woman in 1948. Some photos of Lilian in the Gracie Fields films and stage production of The Perfect Woman appear in the gallery. I have also found online Zetta’s name mentioned as part of variety acts at the Alhambra, Leicester Sq and the Coliseum Theatre through the years 1925-1930

My Great Grandfather James Rodwell Tolliss was a traveller, trading in the silk industry. His wife Louisa Sophia Clark was a fourth generation descendant of Lewis Berger the paint manufacturer. Lewis was the subject of a colourful ‘biography’ written by Jeffrey Farnol in the 1920s called a “Portrait of a Gentleman in Colours”. It tells of Lewis’s move to London in 1760 from Frankfurt and his endeavour in making the colour Prussian Blue  a marketable commodity. Originally named Louis Steigenberger he simplified his name to Lewis Berger in about 1770. He married Elizabeth Alger circa 1768. A more detailed biography was called “A Century and a Half of Berger”, written by Lewis Berger’s Gt Gt Grandson Thomas Brereton Berger. A photo of Richmond house that Thomas lived in is in the gallery.

Circa 1780 Lewis & Elizabeth moved from the Shadwell/Ratcliff area of London to nearby Homerton. There they found a house and he built his factory. He made 12 dry colour pigments by 1790, increasing them by a further 7. Also selling black lead, sulphur, sealing wax and mustard. In 1785 they opened offices at Well Court in Cheapside. It is believed the Doulton factory in Lambeth also purchased some of his paints for decorating their pottery.

Link to Berger Paint employees reunion page
Thanks to John Cain for sending me the above information.

Link to Bergerpaints website www.bergerpaints.com

Lewis Berger appeared at the Old Bailey as a victim of theft on 3 occasions, below are the links to the relevant pages.1. RICHARD SHARPLIN, THOMAS RICE, theft: simple grand larceny, 03/06/1778. 2. FIDELY MILLARD, ELEANOR SANDERSON, theft: burglary, receiving stolen goods, 13/09/1780. 3. SAMUEL JACKSON, theft: burglary, 11 May 1796.

The family tree contains all the names that I know of with the Berger connection. Also some pictures of the Berger family and the houses etc are in the gallery. Also in the gallery there are pictures of the extended Berger family. Plus documents associated with the Berger business.

I have tried to find out more on the Guy side of the family, that being my Grandmother’s maiden name.

I met a 2nd cousin on that side who has furnished me with new photos of my mother, plus some of my grandmother, her siblings and her parents and their extended family. He also met my mother in the 1930s (she had 2 whippets) and again backstage in London in 1948, when she was appearing in The Perfect Woman at the Haymarket theatre.

I have also met a very distant cousin with the Guy surname. Our connection goes back 10 generations.

In 2005, I extended the Clark family. Henry Clark (Gt Gt Gt Grandfather) who married firstly Louisa Berger, who died soon after the birth of her second son, married secondly Mary Stewart and had 11 more children.

I went to Newnham, Kent and found Henry Clark’s grave. I have met with another distant cousin from Henry Clark’s second marriage.

I have worked on the Stokes side of the family that married into the Pamphilon and Guenigault family, making new contacts with both Pamphilon and Guenigault members. There is a photo of Adolphus Stokes grave in the gallery. I have also had a great amount of information supplied by the Sharp side of the Berger family. My research into siblings marriages has extended the tree far and wide with interesting coincidences. I have found links to my adopted side Blott and Brimson tree in a number of cases.

In 2009 I flew to Australia to meet my first cousin and his wife. I went back in 2015 and saw them again. They have been pleased that I have contacted them and added information about our family. I also met and stayed with more distant cousins on the Tolliss side.

In 2019 myself and my children and grandson all had our DNA analysed on Ancestry.com. Other members of the Tolliss and Guy family have shown up, some more closely related than others. In 2020 a first cousin appeared as a match who was not related to any of my Guy or Tolliss relations. This I felt meant that she was related to my natural father who was not listed on my birth certificate. I contacted her but she was not interested as to how we may be linked. So I started my own research starting with her name and others that were also linked to her that had visible trees. These people also showed as being distantly related to myself. I have not published my findings as it may cause embarrassment to this side of the family. I believe I may have half siblings from a marriage of my father.

It has been a rewarding and pleasurable experience that all the new family members I have met are friendly and helpful. A big thank you to all the family, near and extended that have helped the tree to grow.

Access to Website

If you need to know if I have living people attached to your line, please contact me and I can advise you, many thanks.

Abbreviations, Definitions and Notes in the Family Tree

Where I have in the Date eg Dec 1878 this means the birth, marriage or death was registered in that qtr.

In the notes I put census information and other details. In the female notes you may also find witnesses names at the time of the marriage. On the Will line you will find the probate date and location. In previous tree updates years these details may be found in the notes as the will line was not available as a separate line.

To protect from identity theft, you will be unable to see details of people who are less than 99 years old where I do not have an actual death date.

Favorites
Lilian Tolliss
19001972
Birth: December 14, 1900 28 2629 West Hill Rd, Brighton
Death: June 12, 1972St Helens Hospital, Hastings
Tom Sayers
18261865
Birth: May 15, 1826 33 4474, Pimlico St, Brighton
Death: November 9, 1865Camden Town
Tas Drysdale
19121981
Birth: February 7, 1912 23 20Bognor Regis, Sussex
Death: June 29, 1981Westmead, Sydney, NSW
Peter Berger
19252003
Birth: February 11, 1925 45 29'Far East', Travellers Lane North Mimms, Herts.
Death: October 19, 2003Carls Barn, Church Rd, Carlton, Newmarket Suffolk CB8 9JZ