I'm trying to find out more about my great great grandfather Robert William Arnold who was born in Romsey and was a miller, I think it was Fox's mill.
He was married to Laura Burt who was a daughter of Aine Burt a miller from Witchampton.
According to his will in 1923 he owned 9 cottages in Middlebridge Street, but I have no idea which ones. I don't know who his father was or any other of his family, so if anyone can help i'd really appreciate it. Thank you Gail King

Reply:
Reply from the local History Group:
Robert Arnold was indeed the miller at Fox Mill. There were two Robert Arnolds who were buried in Botley Road cemetery in the late 19th century.
I am not sure that Arnold owned the mill. It is more likely that he was a tenant of Broadlands.
I don’t know about the ownership of cottages in Middlebridge

My query is one regarding my great grandfather Tom (not Thomas) Seward Holloway, who was born in Romsey abt 1828, according to his death certificate in (1875) which gave his age as 47, with his wife as informant.
The IGI shows a Tom Seward Holloway of Romsey to have been chr 28 May 1830 with only the name of the mother, Harriett Holloway, being given.

The IGI also shows a Tom Holloway of Romsey as being christened 03 May 1835 with the mother’s name - Harriet, as well as the father’s name - Charles Holloway being given.

Harriett (Colson) and Charles Holloway were married 30 May 1825 (IGI). Tom has two older sisters, Harriet, chr 15 Oct 1826 and Ann, chr 16 May 1830 (IGI) as well as three other siblings, all of whom were born after him.
All six children (except Harriet who is in service elsewhere) show up in the household in the 1841 census. All christening and marriage entries are from the C of E Romsey Parish records.

Can anyone shed any light on why Tom would have been christened twice, and also, why so (relatively) long after his birth? Any help very much appreciated.
Thanks, Gail Spanier, Perth WA Australia

Reply:
Hoping some readers might have a suggestion - its a conundrum!

My Grandmothers story that her Great Grandmother had been born out of wedlock to a member of the Jones family who had given her his name and brought her up as an educated lady.
When she married our Great Grandfather Robert Brown, her name was given as Harriet Adams, but at the birth of one of her children her name is written in the Parish Register as Eliza Harriet Jones. Her birth was around 1840, marriage 1865 Southampton, death 1902 Southampton. Can anyone help please? My second cousin John Bartlett of Southampton has been doing research and found out this information but we are now stuck! I live in New York and will be visiting your area in September to do further research.
Thanking you in advance, Claudia Blackler

Reply:
Hoping some readers might have a suggestion - its another conundrum!