Long Melford - Ambrose family

[grace bc]

I'm researching the Ambroses in Long Melford - anyone with any connections to this branch of the family? There are several different families of Ambroses on the censuses - my mum in law says that in the 1950s every other shop was an Ambrose - unfortunately our side were "ag labrs" rather than shop owners!
Beginning with WILLIAM JAMES Ambrose, BORN 1852,who maried SARAH ELIZABETH IVES in 1875, they had 8 children, his mother was ELLEN AMBROSE - if his birth cert. is correct she wasn't married and never a man friend of appropiate age on the censues. Looking back through the censuses -
1841 has her with JOHN AMBROSE AGED 60,his wife MARY aged 60, and four siblings.
1851 has her a lodger, proffession - shoe binder with JOHN SHORE/SHAVE(sp.?) aged 74 a grinage pensioner (unreadable on census), his wife MARY SHORE aged 66
1861 has her still with MARY SHORE (no Mr. Shore)3 children MATILDA aged 12, WILLIAM aged 9 and MARIA aged 1. Matilda is a velvet cutter.
1871 sees her still unmarried,proffession - a horse hair weaver with her son WILLIAM aged 19 who's the one married to the Sarah Ives mentioned at the beg. of this tale.
Anyone know what velvet cutters, horse hair weavers or shoe binders did - apart from the obvious ?
Any info on L.Melford around the 1800s would be appreciated.
Thanks Grace

[bumblebee]

Horse Hair Weaving

http://www.johnboydtextiles.co.uk/history.html

Bumblebee x

[grace bc]

Quick work! Thanks for the info - regards Grace

[ladyalex]

Hello Grace
I also have an AMBROSE family in Long Melford but, unfortunately I can't see a connection to yours.
My earliest is Hiram AMBROSE (Cordwainer/Shoemaker) b.c.1804 married to Mary Ann BEAR in 1825, I believe his parents may have been John and Susan AMBROSE but have no proof.

I should imagine a 'Shoe Binder' was simply a part of the process of shoe-making, likely adding the bindings to the leatherwork of the shoe.
Also a Velvet cutter possibly working in a Mill cutting out the silk velvet.
Regards,
Sandra

[grace bc]

Thanks, Ladyalex
Sorry for taking so long to look at your post.
The Ambrose family seems to be one of many parts, I'm sure they'd all connect up if we went back far enough!
You may have already come across a book called "Melford Memories" by Ernest Ambrose no connection to my lot but very evocative about the village his life in Long Melford from 1880s to 1970s. I picked my copy up at a second hand book shop.
Regards Grace

[Mythology]

You probably know this one, but in case not...cosford-database.

Despite the "Cosford" name, not restricted to Cosford registration district, also has a chunk for some places in Sudbury registration district if you scroll down - including Long Melford, with a fair number of Ambrose entries.

As always, verification with the parish registers is strongly advised. *Most* of Ray Long's stuff is straight from the registers, with nothing worse than the odd typo which we are all prone to, but he does also include a certain amount of submitted information, and there is also a certain amount of "right name, right place, must be the same fellow" assumption. I don't know what the situation is with Long Melford, but some of the Lawshall info is definitely duff.

[grace bc]

Thanks Mythology you
I didn't know about the cosford website and found two of my rellies on there so I've emailed for more info.
thanks again, Grace

[ladyalex]

Thanks, Ladyalex
Sorry for taking so long to look at your post.
The Ambrose family seems to be one of many parts, I'm sure they'd all connect up if we went back far enough!
You may have already come across a book called "Melford Memories" by Ernest Ambrose no connection to my lot but very evocative about the village his life in Long Melford from 1880s to 1970s. I picked my copy up at a second hand book shop.
Regards Grace

Hi Grace
Now it is my turn, I am back to working on my f.h. again now.
Yes, thanks, I bought this brilliant book myself years ago from a s.h. dealer, unfortunately they do not appear to be connected to my Hiram AMBROSE's line.
If in future you find any connection to or by a miracle came across his birthplace please let me know !
Regards
Sandra / ladyalex

[Clifjade]

Another useful website for that part of Suffolk is the Glemsford website run by Steve Clarke. I find it a little confusng but there is info in there !.
- Clifjade