SMALLWOOD FAMILY HISTORY

THE  SMALLWOODS OF KENSINGTON WHO EMIGRATED TO AUSTRALIA (TREE 704)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

John Smallwood, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Smallwood, was born in Kensington, London on 14th February 1833. He could be the John Smallwood, aged 7 (but born outside London) who was living at the Royal Military Asylum in Chelsea (without any parents) in 1841, or it could be that the family was omitted from the 1841 census. He appears in the 1851 census in the UK, but later emigrated to Australia and is the ancestor of many of the Smallwoods of Queensland.

John's father Joseph Smallwood was a mariner, but his origins so far remain obscure. His wife Elizabeth was described as a widow when she died in Silver Street, Kensington Town on 9th November 1847 (aged 53), but there is no obviously suitable death for Joseph in the London area between 1837 and 1847. It could be that he died before 1837 or died at sea. Based on his wife's age and occupation, he was probably born in the 1790's either in London or somewhere near the coast, but beyond this we have little to go on. Most of the contemporary coastal Josephs (from Yorkshire and Cumbria) stayed close to their origins, although Joseph Smallwood of Harrington, Cumbria (b.1799-1800) must remain an outside possibility since we currently know nothing of his later life.

OUTLINE OF TREE

SUMMARY OF RESEARCHERS

If you are researching this branch of the Smallwoods and would like to have your name or contact details listed here, please contact Ian Hall.