Family Gossip says

[fogmog]

Hi
Anyone know how I could find out whether my g.grandfather, Thomas Shaw born 1862 Binfield Heath, Eye and Dunsden, Berkshire, whose family originated in Goring Oxfordshrie, truly had a Romany background? He was olive skinned, with dark hair and eyes and the story goes, that he wore gold ear-rings and had gold buttons on his coat.
Thanks Fogmog

[Jan1954]

Hi Fogmog,

Oh I love family stories! Usually to be taken with a pinch of salt, but somewhere within them they have a grain of truth.

The only sure-fire way to establish this would be to obtain birth, marriage and death certificates to see what occupations are recorded of the interested parties: himself and his father - and his father. Have you found your ancestors in the censuses at all? If so, what occupations do they give?

You may also find this to be of help.