BLAND

[PBland]

I have done extensive research of the BLAND family in South Africa and would like to try and find the BLAND family in England.
Richard Bland arrived in Algoa Bay on the Nottingham from Gravesend in Northampton in April 1820. He was born in Northampton in 1806.
He was killed in the fronteir wars in 1835.
According to his death notice his father was David and his mother was Susanah.
In some letters I have read he had a sister Mary Law.
If someone could assist me in where and how I should start searching I will be very grateful.
Best Wishes
Paula

[v.wells]

I only have current Bland's in my tree and they have been very difficult to trace. Starts with Ronald Bland 1925ish England and has children: Janice, Sheila, Stephen, Peter, and Michael. There are not many in the Indexes so I don't know why it is so difficult. I have also looked under, Blond, Blend and Blund. Not much help I'm afraid. I know who Ronald Bland married but have not found where - yet!

[Nicolina]

my BLANDs are from Lincolnshire. The earliest, I have, is Thomas born in Boston about 1833.

[Nicolina]

Orton, Westmoreland.
The 1861 Census has:
RG09/3960/23 Page 7
Square, Orton
BLAND, Anthony Head Married M 47 1814 Stone Mason
BLAND, Elizth Wife Married F 49 1812 Stone Masons Wife
BLAND, James Son Unmarried M 16 1845 Stone Mason
BLAND, John Son Unmarried M 10 1851 Scholar
BLAND, Elizabeth Daughter Unmarried F 8 1853 Scholar
BLAND, William Son Unmarried M 3 1858 Scholar
BLAND, Hannah Daughter Unmarried F 3 1858
BLAND, Henry Half Cousin Married M 38 1823 Tailor

all born Orton

[Nicolina]

I tried to get some idea from the IGI and found that there was a David & Susannah BLAND in Northampton, who christened a son David on 14th June 1815 which lead me to search the 1841 Census where I found:
HO107/814/14/17 Page 26
Bull Orchard, St Sepulchre, Northampton
BLAND, David M 60 1781 not born in County
BLAND, Ruth F 40 1801 born in County
BLAND, Thomas M 25 1816 born in County

unfortunately I cannot read David's occupation but it could be Shoe Maker.

also:
HO107/814/9/32 Page 20
Kettering Road, St Giles, Northampton
BLAND, David M 20 1821 occ: Shoe Maker
BLAND, Sarah F 20 1821
BLAND, Sarah F 1 1840

all born in County.

on the preceeding page is also a William BLAND, Shoe Maker aged 40 and his family who were all born in County.

[PBland]

Hello All
Many thanks for your help - it was fantastic to receive such quick answers.
I don't really know any current Blands in England - who knows I think this will change. I think the Northampton Blands may be a good place to start - could you tell me if County is a place name?
Would the next step be to go to any possible documentation in that town?
Thanks for your patience with me.
If anyone needs any names on 1820 settlers I can help as I visit my sons who are at Rhodes Grahamstown fairly frequently.
King Regards
Paula

[Nicolina]

Northampton is the "County town" of Northamptonshire.
If you can find one for Northamptonshire, a Trade Directory might help. As Shoemakers, they should be listed.

[Nicolina]

there are 2 Trade Directories for Northamptonshire in the 1840s at: www.
historicaldirectories.org/hd/b1.asp

[PBland]

I managed to source the following from letters written to Richard Blands widow Caroline Bonnin and his daughter Sarah Anne (Slater):
Father David (who had a sister Harriet) died 14 June 1854
Brothers and sisters: Elizabeth (Babbit) 45 Great Russell St Northampton
William 43 Great Russell St Northampton (son Ely)
Charlotte (Marshall) 6 Brayes Passage Lincoln England
Thomas
Mary Matilda (McDonald) marr 1873
Ann (Law) Matorhold Northampton
David died 30 November 1854

It looks like the father David buried two wives and when he married his second wife the children living at home were told to leave.
The story that has been passed down to us is that one brother went to America and the other brother went to South Africa.
I think that the Northampton David nd Susanah who christened a David is the right family.
I am so impressed to see a family bible with Bland names in it from so a long time ago - thank you

[Nicolina]

I search of the 1851 Census revealed David Bland, a Cordwainer, born Olney, Buckinghamshire in 1777, his wife Ruthborn Grafton Underwood, Buckinghamshire in 1781, and son Thomas born Northampton in 1816 were living at Square No. 3., Nelson Street, Northampton.
HO107/1739/354 Page 23

On the same page, living next door:
David Bland, a Shoemaker, born Northampton in 1815
Sarah Bland, a Shoe Closer, born Stony Stratford in 1820 (transcription also says "Russia")
Ann Bland born Northampton in 1843
John Gordon, Apprentice, born Northampton in 1836

I've not found a marriage between David Bland and Sarah (yet) but believe this is David senior

Marriages Mar 1841
BLAND David Northampton 15 366
Fearnyhough Ruth Northampton 15 366

in 1871
William was living at Portland Row, St Andrew Priory, Northampton
in 1881 he was at 8, Clare St, Northampton Priory Of St Andrew
in 1891 he was at 98, Great Russell Street, Northampton

In 1901 William's son David had married and was living with his father-in-law:
RG13/1421/100 Page 24
94, Great Russell Street, Northampton Priory Of St Andrew
MARRIOTT, William Head Widower M 74 b. 1827 in Long Buckby, Northamptonshire
BLAND, David Son-In-Law Married M 33 1868 Boot Trade Finisher born Northampton
BLAND, Honour E Daughter Married F 40 1861 born Northampton
BLAND, Elizabeth A Grand Daughter F 3 1898 born Northampton
BLAND, William D Grand Son M 1 1900 born Northampton

it's interestig to note that they seem to have stayed with the shoe-making trade.