by Donald Stubbs Donald Stubbs has been carrying out research into the history of the Martin family of Upton/Blewbury and would be willing to share information with other local historians/genealogists with related interests. He may be contacted at dfs.stubbs@hotmail.co.uk. Like very many others in recent years I decided to try to trace my ancestors. It was something… Continue reading »
The Night that the Germans bombed Upton
At the time of the incident the reporting of bombing raids was prohibited but the incident is briefly referred to in the “North Berks Herald and Didcot Advertiser” 14/3/1941 headlined Home Counties Raids. It mentions several bombs being dropped in fields near a small village and many windows being broken, but that there were no casualties.… Continue reading »
The Keep, Greenough and Butler families
Stephen Howe and his daughter Clare have undertaken a considerable amount of research into his ancestors, the Greenough, Keep and Butler families from Upton and the surrounding area. The Greenoughs appear to have been an Upton family. Stephen traced the Keep ancestors back to Edward Keep who is thought to have been born in East… Continue reading »
The Humfreys
Peter Humfrey has contacted us having found the web site while researching the history of the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway and the station. Peter suspects that the Joseph Pomfrey referred to in the Inclosure Award might actually be Joseph Humfrey, one of his ancestors. In 1841 Peter’s great grandfather Nathaniel had a farm of… Continue reading »
Mary Gutfreund celebrates
Mary Gutfreund turned 80 on the 8th August, and to celebrate the occasion she brought in cake to the Drop-in session the day before.
The Railway
Work began on the construction of the Didcot to Newbury railway in August 1879. The first sod was turned by the Countess of Carnarvon at a site just outside Newbury.
The Pilgrim family and Upton
These notes were compiled by Richard Pilgrim’s step-daughter, who lives in Abingdon. The Pilgrims moved to Upton in 1923. I assumed this was to Prospect House but have found mention of Hedgewell. Blue Cottage was built by them in the 1930′s (for another relative?) and a big “book room” was added when they sold Prospect… Continue reading »
Blast, there goes the bridge
A newspaper account of the demolition of Upton railway bridge – date and source unknown. Upton Railway Bridge, which took a year to build in 1881, was blown up in a split second today. The 60ft. high bridge carrying the Wantage to Reading road over the Didcot to Newbury line was blown up by gelignite… Continue reading »
Query from Australia
We have received the following email from Vern Butler in Australia: “My name is Vern Butler. I am a third generation born Australian. My G Grandfather William Butler was born in Upton on 18th June 1839 to Daniel & Sarah nee Smallbone who operated the George & Dragon Inn from 1840s to 1900. William married… Continue reading »
1841 Census Transcript
1841 Census Transcript for Chapelry of UPTON Berks
From the galleries
