John's Family History

I started my family history research when I was at school. However it soon got forgotten, and I only resumed it seriously in 1992. I've had most success with my mother's family DOWSETT. I have traced back to around 1653, and have found Dowsett relations as far afield as USA and New Zealand. Please also take a look at the most up-to-date DOWSETT information and the DOWSETT information a new format. These have been generated directly from my Reunion 5 database.

I am lucky to have access to a lot of information about my Great Grandfather. He was a member of the Scot's Guards band for over 21 years, playing the Tuba. The picture of him was taken around 1896, just before he retired.


I have also been researching my ROPER line. This has been harder as I don't have any living Roper relations. Unfortunately my father (pictured) and his parents died before I was 4 years old. I am in the process of trying to find my Great Grandfather's birth.


My Great Great Grandfather, Robert Russell Wenham was born in Kent. This information led me to advertise in Family Tree Magazine and as a result I managed to link up with H.J.C.Goodman's research on the WENHAMs in Tonbridge.

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of my Wenham ancestors. I do have a copy of Robert Russell's baptism in Tonbridge, Kent.


I also have a family bible for my maternal grandmother's WATSON ancestors. My Great Grandfather, Frederick Watson, fought in the American Civil war and attended the unveiling of the Statue to Lincoln in London.



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