An Australian adventure

 On 3 August 1823, Elizabeth Gisby (b: 1800 in Margate) - a daughter of George Gisby and Esther (nee Russell) - married James Price Simmons (b: 1799 in Seaford, Sussex) in St. Lawrence, Ramsgate. James and Elizabeth had a practice of giving their offspring middle names which were significant surnames to them.

One of these was James Gisby Simmons, born 1836 in St. Lawrence. James emigrated to the state of Victoria, Australia and became a Police Officer. In the course of his work, he met a young lady called Charlotte Louise Amey whom he went on to marry in 1859. The large family they had together also continued the tradition of using surnames as middle names for their children - including Gisby -and the practice is still being carried on.

All of this is part of my Thanet-based Family Tree headed by Robert & Jane.

I'm indebted to Kerryn Stafford, a great-great-granddaughter of James and Charlotte, for getting in touch and drawing all this to my attention - and it would be nice to think it will continue on into the future.