Notices from BelbinManiacs advertising their research interests or problems

SUE COLCLOUGH has a special request as follows: CHRISTOPHER MARTIN GINEVER found late in life that he was adopted and born MALCOLM JOHN BELBIN in 1942.  He was the son of JOAN PHYLLIS BELBIN (1919 – 1997) who lived in Surrey, and is on the UK 4 Family Tree.  As she was not married and it was war time, Malcolm was adopted and lived in Nottingham.  Later on he became a farmer in Brittany.  He has a son and a daughter living in France and Denmark.

My request is this.  He has found a huge family that he knew nothing about, and is happy now that he does not feel a “nobody”. He would love something to connect with his dead birth mother; a photograph would be lovely.  Joan was in the ATS and she did live at times in Lincolnshire, I believe with a relative.  If anyone visiting this site can give my lovely partner some peace of mind I would be so grateful and happy for him.  He does not want to intrude; just to know his roots. I’m quite happy if Terry does not mind, to post an e-mail to me and also to share what we have found about the UK4 line of the Belbin Tree.  Many thanks.  S. M. Colclough 26 Feb 2012.

SHARON (FRANCIS) LOGGIE of Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada is related to the Newfoundland BELBINS as her great great great grandfather, Rubin BELBIN is a descendant of William BELLMAN (BELBIN) 1750-1807 of Newfoundland, Canada. As all the others researching the Newfoundland families, Sharon is looking for William BELLMAN’S origin as well as any other information on that branch of BELBINS.

KEITH BELBIN of 36 Rushley Road, Dore, Sheffield S17 3EJ is researching the descendants of Frederick BELBIN (b.1852) and Selina BAKE (b.1855) both of Bristol, Somerset who married in Coventry on 16 April 1876. Descendants of this family are known to live in Huddersfield and throughout Yorkshire. Please contact Keith to exchange notes on this ancestry.

PAT HOSKINS of 5a Highfield Road, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 1RF finds herself in UK Tree 1 featured in the Family Trees section of this website. She would therefore be very pleased to hear from anyone researching the descendants of John BELLBEIN (c.1765-1842) and Elizabeth BULL who married at Monxton, Hampshire in 1791.

STEPHEN BELBIN of 78 Grove House, Chelsea Manor Street, London SW3 5QB has traced his ancestry back to 1641. His main interest is in the descendants of Samuel BELBIN (b.1751) and Mary Appleby of Shaftesbury, Dorset and would like to communicate with others researching this line.

VERONICA JOHNSON of 25 Linden Road, Risdon Vale, Tasmania 7016, Australia is a descendant of James BELBIN (1771-1848) and his first wife Ann Meredith. Veronica is currently researching the Fletcher-Radcliffe/Ratcliffe-Hanslow-BELBIN family tree and would appreciate some help with research on a great aunt who married a member of the Royal Army or Navy.

CAROLYN SUE BALBEN MYERS is an English Teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A. Her father was Edward Chester BALBEN son of Harold Walter BALBEN of the Newfoundland BELBINS, or so she thinks. Edward Chester BALBEN was born in Waltham, Mass. and moved to Casper, Wyoming, in the 1940s. She has two brothers and two sisters and when she lived in Casper, Wyoming the address was 1000 BALBEN Road. Carolyn will appreciate any help with her father’s family history.

JIM HALPIN is descended from the BELBINS on his mother’s side of the family. His Great-grand parents, Benjamin Robert BELBIN and Arminella Longmead Keirstead were married in St. John, New Brunswick in 1875. At some point they moved to Boston, MA, where his great-grandfather worked for the Boston & Maine Railroad. Their children were Robert James BELBIN (1877), Alfred Stanley BELBIN (1878), Charles William BELBIN (1880), Frances Lucinda BELBIN (1882), Herbert Hewitt BELBIN (1884), Earnest Gordon BELBIN (1887) and Ella Louise BELBIN (1890 Jim’s Grandmother who married Robert J. Ross). Jim’s mother remembers visits from “cousins” from Newfoundland. Can anyone help him determine where Benjamin Robert BELBIN was born and if he is the Benjamin BELBIN, b. 1856 son of James BELBIN & Frances Trenchard. 

BELINDA BALMFORTH is descended from Emancipist, James BELBIN and Ann Meredith, their daughter Elizabeth BELBIN and Benjamin Hanslow, their daughter Ann Hanslow born 1821 who married Edward Campbell 1 Apr 1844 in Clarence, Tasmania, Australia. She has traced their children etc… but nothing much for Edward Campbell, only that he was born about 1815 and emigrated from Liverpool, nothing prior to his marriage, e.g. parents. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. 

HERBERT CHANDLER BELBEN, Jr of 650 Rosal Way, San Rafael, California 94903-2926, USA is the son of Herbert C. BELBEN Sr.who was born in 1900 in Boston Mass. His father was Levi BELBEN who migrated from Newfoundland to Boston around 1890-1895 and married a Susan Dimer. Apart from Herbert C. BELBEN, Herbert believes Levi BELBEN and Susan had three other sons, namely, Charles BELBEN, Clifford BELBEN and Robert BELBEN. There were also two girls, Ann BELBEN and Alice BELBEN. Alice was a twin of Clifford and both died aged 90 in 2005. Herbert has also learned from other sources that a distant cousin may have migrated to Newfoundland around 1777. His name was William BELBEN Sr. This person and Herbert’s grandfather may be cousins and may have migrated to Newfoundland around the same time in 1777. All information will be appreciated.

CAROLINE GADEN of New South Wales, Australia seeks information on the BELBIN family of Nortonthorpe Hall, Huddersfield in the early 20th Century. These BELBINS are descendants of James BELBIN and Sarah Swetland of Ringwood, Hampshire who married there on 27th January 1721/22 (UK Tree 4) and Caroline will be pleased to hear from anyone with an interest in this family.

LAUREL YOUNG of Unit 26/424-440 Anzac Highway, Camden Park, South Australia 5038 is researching the descendants of convict James BELBIN (1771-1848) and Ann Meredith and would be interested in hearing from people descended from this couple.WALTER BRADBURY of Alberta, Canada has found there is a BELBIN in his roots. Her name is Caroline BELBIN from around the Bay Roberts Conception Bay area of Newfoundland, Canada. All that is known about her is that she married Walter’s great great grandfather, Nathan Mercer and that she died on 8 Dec 1892. Walter would like to find out who her parents were and would greatly appreciate any help in this.

ALICIA KATHRYN BELBIN from Tasmania has a particular interest in the Australian BELBIN history. Her father is Paul BELBIN married to Kathleen Wagner and Alicia would like to learn more of his ancestry. Additionally, Alicia is interested in any special psychological and physical traits of the BELBIN family and would find any such information of great interest in her research.

REG WRIGHT of 26 Sluman Street, Denistone, New South Wales 2114, Australia is a direct descendant of James BELBIN (1771-1848) and Ann Meredith. Reg is interested in this family tree and will appreciate hearing from anyone descended from this couple. Reg has written extensively about this BELBIN family in his book The Youngs of Rokeby and their Friends and has generously consented to some of the BELBIN chapters being reproduced on this website. Click the following links to read Reg’s work: James BELBIN The EmancipistWilliam BELBIN The PoliticianBELBIN Letters & Petitions. Reg has also gained some noteriety as an expert on the histories of Norfolk Island and Van Diemens Land with his book The Forgotten Generation of Norfolk Island and Van Diemens Land published in 1986 which contains many chapters on the BELBINS and can still be found available from internet booksellers and is most certainly worth tracking down.

SAMANTHA ROSETTA BELBIN is seeking help on her family tree. Her grandfather’s name was Gregory BELBIN who she thinks was born in 1906 and died in 1976. Unfortunately, Samantha does not say which country her grandfather lived in! He married Lorna Ray which might be a clue. Can anyone help?

TONY BELBEN of 1 The Lane, Alverstoke, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 2DE is researching the descendants of George BELBON (baptised 18 April 1873 at Tarrant Keyneston, Dorset) and Ann, who married c.1798. Any information gratefully received.

CHRISTINE BISHOP of 25 Hilda Terrace, Hawthorn 5062, South Australia is one of several people on these pages looking into the descendants of James BELBIN the convict (1771-1848) and Ann Meredith and will be keen to hear from anyone else who is a descendant of this couple. All information gratefully received.

LESLI LANGSMITH of PO Box 211, Ridgefield, Washington 98642, USA is looking for information on the descendants of Mary BELBIN who was baptised on 3 November 1687 and who married William Colbourne at Sturminster Newton, Dorset. See BelbinMania’s Sturminster Newton page.

ANGEL STROUD CAZA lives in Wainfleet, Ontario, Canada and is researching the Harris name which seems to be very popular in BELBIN history. He is trying to locate German Harris son of Enos Harris. German had a brother Eliol who married Hannah BELBIN and they had two sons, namely Harrison Harris and Robert BELBIN Harris. These families are from the Seal Cove, Trinity Bay, area of Newfoundland. Can anyone help?

BEVERLEY CURRAN’S great grandmother was Julia Fanny BELBIN, born in Christchurch, Hampshire on 9 May 1860. She married Enos Crocker in 1878. Her parents were George BELBIN and Martha Brixey. His parents were possibly John and Ann BELBIN. Only info known gained from “this terrific site” so if any connections or info regarding this family, please get in touch!

BRIAN BELBIN of Richmond in U.S.A is looking for help with his family tree. Unfortunately, all but one of his parents and grandparents are deceased and the only information he has is that both his father and grandfather were named Robert Cumming BELBIN and were from the Michigan/Ontario, Canada area. Can anyone help?

VANCE BELBIN of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada son of William BELBIN who was born in New Chelsea, Trinity Bay is researching the Newfoundland BELBINS and would appreciate contact with anyone with an interest in the Canadian families.

PAM GOLDING  says her 6 x great grandfather was John Rossiter, yeoman of child Okeford. In his will of 1791 are mentioned his 4 daughters: Mary who married John Monk; Ann who married her paternal ancestor John Crane; Martha widow of James BELBEN and Jane widow of Stephen BELBEN. Ann married John Crane in 1776. Does anyone have any information on Martha and Jane, please?

GWYNETH HOROBIN (from California, USA) says her great-great grandmother was Annie Penny nee Lever or Lock who had a second husband named William BELBIN. Supposedly her parents were from Ireland. She was a head housekeeper and he was the head groom for the brother of the Duke of Alba. William BELBIN was in charge of the polo ponies. There is the possibility of a Wiltshire connection. Can you help? See Gweneth’s Horobin Family Tree website.

IAN APPLETON of Auckland, New Zealand identifies his 4 x great-grandfather as Edward Beard who in approximately 1824 fathered James Beard who was born in Brighton, Sussex, England and was in 1851 living in North Wales aged 27. The IGI gives a marriage of Edward Beard and Mary BILVEN at Lindfield, Sussex on 12 May 1811 (The Lindfield Parish Register shows PILVEN) and also shows the baptism of Edward Beard at Lindfield on 22 Sep 1811 son of Edward Beard and Mary BILBEN. Does anyone know of any BELBIN families in the Lindfield area circa 1810?

ROSS PITT of Australia seeks information on Robert Pitt and Mary Matcham who married at Child Okeford, Sturminster, Dorset 27 Dec 1770. Robert Pitt’s parents were Rose BELBIN born 1701 and William Pitt.

KEN BELBIN of 18 Shelley Close, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 4HW is primarily interested in the descendants of James Thomas BELBIN and Ann Morris who married at Bath, Somerset on 30 May 1850 and would like to make contact with anyone who is researching this line.

JANE JANSSON of 606 Buttonwoods Avenue, Warwick, Rhode Island 02886-8311, USA is descended from William BELLMAN (1750-1807) and Elizabeth Marshall of Newfoundland and will therefore be pleased to hear from anyone who is researching the Newfoundland BELBINS.

JOHN BELBIN of Nova Scotia, Canada has a special interest in the BELBINS of Southern England.  He is a descendant of William BELBEN Garrett and Caroline Parsons and sister to Pat Baines who is also mentioned in these pages. 

PAM STEWART of Australia is a descendant of Christopher Rose and Mary BELBIN (baptised 20 Jul 1714 Sturminster Newton, Dorset, dtr of Benjamynd BELBIN) and seeks information on this family.

ROGER GREEN of the Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland is part of a small group researching a genetic mutation in a group of families who are traced back to James BELVIN who died 30 May 1839 aged 78 years. He is buried in a very isolated community called Baie des Roches on the North shore of the St. Lawrence estuary in the Province of Quebec. He is supposed to have arrived in this region about 1817, possibly from Newfoundland. His sons, although they may be grandsons were called James and John (also known as Jacques). Roger welcomes any insight into this branch of the family.

DAVID SOLLOWS’ wife’s grandfather was James Curtis BELBIN or BELMAN who came from New Chelsea and Grand Bank, Newfoundland, Canada. He was a captain of a number of vessels including some rum runners during the Great Depression of the 1930s. It is likely that he was none other than James Charles BELBINwho was born 7 Feb 1882 in Seal Cove, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland who was a descendant of William BELLMAN (1750-1807) and Elizabeth Marshall of Newfoundland.  He may have changed his surname to BELMAN because of confusion in mail delivery. He later moved to Halifax and then to Yarmouth and had brothers Absolom BELBIN and Lorenzo BELBIN. Please let David know if you have any news of this family.

JEANETTE DIXON of Casula, NSW, Australia is twice descended from Benjamin BELBIN, a miller (buried 30 Jul 1709) and Elizabeth (buried 11 Mar 1729/30) of Sturminster Newton, Dorset through two different lines which inter-married some generations later in Australia. One of Benjamin’s children was Rose BELBIN (1701-1782) who married William Pitt. Jeanette seeks contact with all descendants of this couple.  Other interests include the Pitt and Matcham families of Sturminster Newton, Dorset who link in with the BELBINS.  Jeanette also has a link with the descendants of Christopher Rose and Mary BELBIN, who married on 21 May 1740 at Sturminster Newton, Dorset.

ED BELBIN of 26 Harriet Ave.,Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, USA 01545 is a descendant of William BELLMAN (1750-1807) and Elizabeth Marshall of Newfoundland and is searching for the key to the BELBINS of Newfoundland. It seems BELBINS began to fish and eventually settle in St. John’s, Newfoundland about 1740 -50. No data has ever been found to suggest who the first BELBIN (s) was to arrive. Does anyone have access to info in England that would make the Southwest England – Newfoundland connection?

KAREN HUGHES of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia has numerous BELBINS in her family tree including William BELBIN born 1812 either in Hobart, Tasmania or Christchurch, Hampshire England.

KERRIE RAFTER of PO Box 982, Inverell, New South Wales, Australia is descended from the BELBIN family of Sturminster Newton, Dorset, namely from Mary BELBIN (baptised 20 Jul 1714) and Christopher Rose who married 21 May 1740 at Sturminster Newton.

PETER and GAIL GILMORE of Australia seek the descendants of William James BELBIN (born 7 Jan 1866, Hobart, Tasmania, son of William James BELBIN and Nora Lynch) and Mary Ann Gibson who married in Hobart on 1 Dec 1885.

PAT BAINES of 2 Fairfield Close, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 1QZ, England is researching the descendants of William BELBEN GARRETT otherwise known as William BELBEN who was born about 1834 and married Caroline Parsons on 6th February 1853 in St. Mary’s Church, Templecombe, Somerset.

JOHN BELBIN   of Ballacrain, 13 Dene Close, Skellingthorpe, Lincoln LN6 5SU England and TERRY BELBIN of 16 Gadwall Reach, Kelvedon, Colchester, Essex CO5 9PR England are both looking for the birth of their 3 x great grandfather John BELBIN (otherwise BELLBEIN) who was probably born about 1765 in Southern England but not in Hampshire. Any leads will be gratefully received.

PEGGY and TED BELBIN of Shaydee, Watersplash Lane, Ascot, Berkshire, England SL5 7QP are searching for the birth of James BELBIN, a Blacksmith of Sheerness, Kent, England who was born about 1767. Many BELBINS in this family were either Blacksmiths or Mariners and seem to be separate from all other BELBIN families.

PETER BEATTIE of 1 Pope Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 9QA is interested in the descendants of George BELBON or BELBONE who was baptised at Tarrant Keyneston, Dorset on 18 April 1773 and who married Ann circa 1798.  He is also looking for the death of Elizabeth BELBONE or BELBEN who was the mother of said George BELBONE.  Peter also wishes to find where Elizabeth’s parents were living and suspects Robert of Dorchester in the mid 1700s as the likely father.

LESLEY UEBEL of West Pymble, New South Wales, Australia is searching for any information on her 6 x Great Grandmother Mary BELBIN who died 1789. She was the daughter of Benjamyne BELBIN and she married Christopher Rose on 21 May 1740 at Sturminster Newton, Dorset, England. Visit Lesley’s huge Claim A Convict website.

BOB CRABBE’S grandfather Arthur Charles BELBIN was born on 15 Oct 1853 in Christchurch (in the County of Southampton) England and emigrated to Canada as a young man probably to establish a settlement. In 1885 he married Sarah Grace Hawkey in West Flamboro, Canada. The family moved to Chicago, Illinois, USA about 1891. There were three other brothers namely John Thomas BELBIN, Fred BELBIN and William BELBIN (born 15 Mar 1852). Bob wants any information on this family, which has now been traced back to James BELBIN and Sarah Swetland of Ringwood, Hampshire, England who married on 27 January 1722/23.

DAVID LAKE of New Zealand says that one of his grandfather’s brothers, Simon Hooper Lake (born Appledore, Devon in 1845) married Ellen BELBEN (born Plympton St Mary, Devon also in 1845). Her parents were Robert T. BELBEN (born Bettchwell, Dorset in 1804) and Mary (born Litton Cheyney, Dorset in 1806). Her siblings Ann BELBEN (born 1828), Jane BELBEN (born 1830), Martha BELBEN (born 1832), Nathan BELBEN (born 1833), Elizabeth BELBEN (born 1836) and Stephen BELBEN (born 1838) were all born in Sydling St Nicholas,Dorset. Ellen’s other siblings, Ruth BELBEN (born 1841), Emma BELBEN (born 1843) and Mary BELBEN(born 1847) were all born in Plympton St Mary. David would be keen to learn more about the ancestry of this family.

ANGELA BELBIN-WOOD of  Newhall Road, Kirk Sandall, Doncaster, DN3 1QQ is a direct descendant of James BELBIN and Sarah Swetland of Ringwood, Hampshire who married on 27 January 1722/23 and this family is her main area of research.  Angela is also helping research the life story of Elizabeth Maud Griffiths-BELBIN who became Governess to the children of Queen Marie of Romania in the early part of the Twentieth century.  The story so far is shown in one of BelbinMania’s Feature Pages.  Please contact Angela if you can contribute to these areas of research.RICH BELBIN of The Cottage, Baden Hill, Tytherington, Wotton-Under-Edge, South Gloucester GL12 8PY is a descendant of Benjamin BELBIN (1791-1843) who married Frances Elliott on 29 August 1824 in Odiham, Hampshire.  It is believed that Benjamin BELBIN was the son of John BELLBEIN (1765-1842) who is currently the oldest known ancestor in UK Tree 1.  Rich (and Terry BELBIN ) will be particularly keen to hear from anyone who is reasearching this family.

 JANET COX resarches family pedigrees for medical purposes. She is trying to find the connection between the Newfoundland ancestors of Henry Thomas BELBIN (born 28 Aug 1854, Hants Harbour, Trinity Bay) and the BELVIN families of Quebec Lower North Shore. Can you help? 

CLEOPHAS BELVIN of St. Augustin, a tiny fishing village in the province of Quebec seventy miles west of the Newfoundland-Labrador border (Lower North Shore) considers the “V” in his surname is a result of French influence as many original BELBINSmarried French speaking women. Today everyone in the St. Augustin region spells the family name BELVIN. Cleophas is a direct descendant of John BELBIN (born 1767, possibly in Dorset, England to John and Ann BELBIN and died 1839 at Rocky Bay, near St. Augustin) who showed up on the Labrador coast during the latter part of the eighteenth century. James BELBIN had two sons John BELVIN (b.1815) and James BELVIN (b.1826). As a historian and archivist, Cleophas has an interest in genealogical research of the BELBIN/BELBEN/BELVIN family of Quebec Lower North Shore and would appreciate hearing from anyone researching this family.

LOIS (CHAULK) ALBREKTSEN of Florida (born Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA) is trying to trace the ancestry of both her parents. Lois has some information on her father, Ernest Chaulk, but not much for her mother whose maiden name was Sarah Crocker Cooke. Lois has heard throughout her life that somehow her family was related to the Belbins. The only information she has is that one of her relatives (whether it was Cooke or Harris she doesn’t know) was an employee or servant of a Lord BELBIN. Lord BELBIN’S son fell in love with her and married her. Lord BELBIN was furious and exiled him to Newfoundland. Since she doesn’t have any history of the Belbins at all, Lois would love some information that relates to this story.

SHIRLEY ASH is a direct descendant of James BELBIN b. 11 Feb 1771 St.Clements Dane, London, England and Elizabeth Meredith who married on Norfolk Island on 2 Jun 1809. Shirley wishes to find out more about James’ parents and earlier ancestry. Can you help?

MATT & THELMA BIRRELL Builders and Family Historians of Pelican Quays, 3/289 Bradman Avenue, Maroochydore, Queensland 4558, Australia are interested in the BELBINS as they are descendants of Celia Ann Skates (b.1841) who married John Charles BELBIN who died aged 27 in 1862 and was married in Southampton, England.  Celia then married Thomas Down Montgomery and they emigrated to Australia.  Any information on the BELBIN connection will be appreciated.

RAY “MAD FLYER” BELBIN of Townsville, Queensland, Australia is descended from Captain Robert James BELBIN (1848-1883) whose story is told in BelbinMania’s Feature Pages.  Captain BELBIN was himself, a descendant of William BELLMAN (1750-1807) and Elizabeth Marshall of Newfoundland.  Ray and his father, DOUG “THE OLD BOLD PILOT” BELBIN also of Townsville would like to hear from anyone researching this family. See Doug BELBIN’S BELBIN Genealogy website.

ERIC & MARGARET SMITH of 4 Kirval Court, West Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7000 are researching the descendants of convict James BELBIN (1771-1848) and Ann Meredith’s daughter Elizabeth BELBIN who married Benjamin Hanslow. They also have a query about another – apparently unrelated – family with the same surname, that is the descendants of a William BELBIN who was a convict to Tasmania, arriving on the transport ship “Gilmore”, probably in 1843. Is he a brother or cousin of James? Does anyone know?

DWAYNE GIBSON’S mother-in-law was Hazel Irene BELBIN, daughter of Clinton Howard BELBIN and Gertrude Murray. Clinton Howard BELBIN’S grandparents were Charles BELBIN (1826-1887) and Elizabeth Kitchen (b.1843) who emigrated to Canada on 23 Apr 1872. Their first Canadian born child born in 1873 was Bernard Henry BELBIN. Other than the fact that Bernard married Charlotte (Lottie) McPherson, nothing else is known about him. It is not known when he died or if he had any children. If you have information on Bernard, Dwayne would really appreciate hearing from you.

RENA SHERRING of 61 Eastbourne Crescent, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada M8V 1W7 is descended from Elizabeth BELBIN(baptised 1785) of Sturminster Newton, Dorset daughter of John and Ann BELBIN. Elizabeth BELBINE married John Knott on 25 March 1811 and their daughter (Rena’s great, great grandmother) Louisa, married Richard Sherring. Their son John Sherring came to Toronto probably in the 1870’s. Any information gratefully received.

MIKE COOPER of 123 Livingstone St. W, Barrie, Ontario, Canada L4N 7J4 is researching the BELBENS of Newfoundland, Canada and just like others, trying to find the England-Newfoundland link. He is particularly interested in the descent of  William BELLMAN (born c.1750 in Newfoundland; died 1807, Mosquito, Conception Bay) and Elizabeth Marshall.

ANN & LARRY SUTTON have established that one of Ann’s ancestors was Mary BELBEN, born 1803 who married Robert Bennett on 9 Jun 1829 in Sturminster Newton, Dorset. They had 9 children, the 2nd, Charles, married Mary Ann PROLES on 1 Feb 1858 and it is from that couple that Ann is descended. Does anyone have any information about the BELBENS that might tie in with Mary BELBEN as Ann and Larry would be pleased to hear from you.

ANN PETERS is researching the ROSSITER family tree which includes Robert Young BELBEN’S son. James BELBEN (who died before Aug 1791) who married Martha Rossiter on 30 Aug 1773 at Child Okeford, Dorset, England. Any information on these BELBENS gratefully received.

LORRAINE GREVE of Australia has Mary BELBIN who died in 1789 on her family tree. Mary BELBIN was married to Christopher Rose and had a daughter Mary in 1741. Her grand-daughter Elizabeth Fish came to Australia on the “Belona” and married Edward Powell and were Lorraine’s G.G.G.Grandparents. The Rose family came from Dorset and Elizabeth Fish was their niece so it is assumed she possibly came from there too. Lorraine would love to hear anything about these families.

DOUG HAMES of RR1, Proton Station, Ontario, Canada N0C 1LO has the marriage record of Ruth BELBIN (spinster) and William Hames (widower) as 24 July 1787 at Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset. William Hames died 14 Apr. 1795 at Okeford Fitzpaine and Ruth died 4 Nov 1801 at the same place. The court appointed Stephen BELBIN, brother of his mother as guardian of their only child William. A Ruth BELBIN who married Richard Savery is noted to have had a brother Stephen (b.1764) and Doug thinks it would be too much of a coincidence that he is dealing with two different families here. If this is the same Ruth she could only have married Richard Savery after 1795 and before 4 Nov 1801. Doug would appreciate any help in confirming if the two Ruth BELBINS were the same person and whether there were any known children of Ruth’s marriage to Richard Savery.

LAUREL TAFFE CARR of 114 Brafferton Blvd, Stafford, VA22554 USA says that on Feb 3 1909 George Brown Janes of Briggs married Edith BELBIN of Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Canada. Edith’s parents were Isaac Trenchard BELBIN and Amelia Mercer (who is reported to be “a daughter of one of the Mercer boys and an intuit woman raised by the parents of the Mercer boy as his sister”). This family tree will be included in the BelbinMania’s Family Trees section of this website as soon as reasonably possible.

LINDA BELBEN of 245B Main Street, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts 01151 USA recently found out that her great grandparents’ last name was spelt BELBIN. They were Henry Dicen BELBEN born 1861 and Amy Husson born approximately the same time in Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. Their given names were Henry Marshall BELBIN and Emma Pitts Husson. Linda is looking for any information on the BELBIN/BELBEN families of Newfoundland immigrating to Nova Scotia then to Boston on or about April 1892. Linda is also researching the descendants of William BELLMAN (1750-1807) and Elizabeth Marshall of Newfoundland, Canada. Can you help?

SCOTT BELBIN of Newport News, Virginia, USA, 2 x great grandfather was Charles Thomas BELBIN and he immigrated to Baltimore, Maryland from England. He married Sarah Ann Winer (also from England) in Baltimore in 1857. His father Robert Lawson BELBIN found this information in the Baltimore records but was not able to find a birth date or birthplace for either. Scott is the uncle of Emily Elizabeth BELBIN-CLARK (see below) and would appreciate any information.

EMILY ELIZABETH BELBIN-CLARK of Virginia, USA is keen to learn more of the ancestry of her grandfather Robert Lawson BELBIN, a NASA scientist who helped build the Apollo moon rockets. His name is recorded in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC. He had a few brothers, one named Edward BELBIN who still lives in Hampton, Virginia, USA