MAGSON NEWSLETTER
EDITION NO. 4
FEBRUARY 2000
Greetings Friends
Another six months have passed, we are now into the second month of the year 2000. In the
Southern Hemisphere we are at last having some hot weather, not sure about the Northern
Hemisphere though!! Guess your turn will come. Recently, on the Internet, I found a quote
which seems to suit us very well, it is as follows -
We are linked by blood, and blood is memory without language.
By Joyce Carol Oates
Once again there seems to be lots of Magson news, thank you for the contributions.
Lots of new contacts have been made since sending out the last newsletter.
These include
Lainie Jarvis - Lainie has sent us a letter telling about her ancestors.
Tania Hawkins - Tania lives about 40 miles north of London. Her paternal grandmother was
Marjorie Muriel Magson, born 1904 in Halifax. Her parents were William Magson, born 1872
in Nunnington and Ann Eliza Whitely. William's parents were William Magson and Hannah
Atkinson, William was born in 1830 in Kirkbymoorside and married in 1858. Tania believes
that William's parents were probably Richard and Mary. She would like to receive e-mail
from other contacts at - taniahawkins7@hotmail.com
Nigel Magson - Nigel comes from Bath, England. His grandfather Alec had 5 brothers and
sisters, and he is the remaining sibling from this generation. Nigel believes that the
family originally came from the North of England.
Melissa Magson - Melissa is 16 years of ages, comes from Tawa, New Zealand, but I do not
know anymore of her details.
Mickey Maynard - Mickey's details are on the Magson website.
Sue Magson - Sue is from Australia but I do not know her details as yet either.
More and more information, it is exciting!! A few months ago Alan sent me a book, called
All Muck and Nettles, written by Vera Magson Smith, it was the sort of book that is hard
to put down. If anyone wishes to have Vera's address please let me know, she said she
would reply to any letter received. She also said she would supply the book if anyone
wished to have one. Obviously Vera is a fascinating person, she did 96 different talks to
groups in 1998 about her life and 94 in 1999, so she has no time for writing a sequel.
Barbara Magson Leck, of Georgia, USA has kindly written a review of the book, thank you
Barbara.
A BOOK REVIEW
I have been given the opportunity to comment on a small book printed by the Bradford
Libraries and Information Service in Bradford, West Yorkshire, called ALL MUCK AND
NETTLES! The Early Life of Burler and Mender No. 57 by Vera Smith (nee Magson). Last year
at this time I had no idea I had family in England and not a clue that my grandfather,
Charles Albert Magson, had been born in Bradford and had lived there until his immigration
to the US in the early 1900's. He, like Vera, worked in the mills as did most of his
family. Vera's book spans the time between the great wars, detailing a life of poverty in
mean housing, long hours of work, tyrannical supervisors, and even hunger and tragedy.
Through her years of working in the mills under truly unacceptable conditions Vera manages
to retain her optimism, humor, and sensitivity, although I truly was shocked at what had
to be endured during the 20th Century. Vera opens her book by acquainting us with her
family and her happy school days. Then comes the fateful day when they must move to
Bradford. Since there was no money for Vera to attend Secondary School it was decided that
she should become a mender* at Speight's Mill, a position in the top class of the textile
trade which earned a fabulous wage for a girl at that time. She describes in detail what
her days were like and how every penny earned went into the support of her entire family,
so that they could continue to improve their housing situation. Over the years she worked
in other mills but felt that the working conditions in these mills were Victorian. As a
soft, spoiled American I was horrified at what she endured daily, but, again, I was so
very touched to be able to live this time with her, as this was the life of my
grandfather. I have since learned that working in the mills in the US also was most
difficult. We are humbled and enriched. We share with Vera her experiences during World
War II and her support of the war effort and the loss of friends and loved ones. At the
conclusion of the book she marries her sweetheart who is home on leave and entices us with
the possibility of more chronicles of her life as an Air Force Corporal's wife. * The
hierarchy of the mills can be found as stated in this book on the Magson web site - http://www.kcomtech.com/Magson/index.html
UPDATE ON NEW ZEALAND MAGSON FAMILY NEWS: Last newsletter I asked if anyone had the
surname of Rickard on their family tree, as my 85 year old cousin had thought that was the
name of the person her grandfather's sister, Mary Southerby Magson had married. She now
thinks the name of the person was Harry Goodrich. Is this name familiar to anyone?
INTERNET: In the July 1994 edition of Reader's Digest, there was an article about
Highgrove House, the home of Prince Charles. At the time I was surprised to learn that the
head gardener was a person named David Magson. Recently on the Internet I found a story
that said Prince Charles could do with some help, as David Magson, who had been in charge
of the grounds at the house near Tedbury, Gloucestershire for around eight years was
leaving for another post.
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OTHERS
FROM KEN MAGSON
Hi everyone, as most of you have seen by now, the website is being updated again. For
those of you who haven't visited in a while the new URL is http://www.kcomtech.com/Magson/index.html
I have some new software for geneological research by Sierra called "Generation's
Family Tree". It will accept imports in GEDCOM format for those of you who have
geneological software or it is also possible for me to enter information manually if
people want to send me information by email or snailmail. I am working on my own family
tree in it. I now have about 140 individuals in 70 families but very little specific
information on any of them. I will place it on the site during the next month so that
people can see it and maybe send me additional information to fill in the gaps. As usual
any and all information will be greatly appreciated. Pictures would be great too!
Thanks Ken magson@kcomtech.com
FROM JIM MAGSON
Greetings Magson's Far and Wide, My name is James H. Magson, (Jim) and I live in
Middletown, Ct. USA. Rae has asked me to make a contribution to the upcoming newsletter
and I will do my best. My father was James Stansfield Magson, b.1902 d.1963, he was the
son of James Albert Magson, b.1863 d.1935. His father was Joseph Magson, b.1841 d.1902.
Joseph was born in Halifax, West York, England the son of Samuel and Fanny (Mitchell)
Magson. Joseph, his wife Ellen (Stansfield) and their four children, James Albert, Joe
Stansfield, Samuel Eli and Sarah Louise immigrated to the USA in 1883 and settled in New
Britain, Ct. Since that time the "Magson's" have lived in or around New Britain
to this day. My interest in family history, which was very rarely discussed while growing
up, dates back to 1981, when a much loved Aunt,Edith Lillian "Magson" Hall
passed away. Edith was my fathers only sister, although he had two half sisters by his
fathers first marriage. Among Edith's possessions was an old address book which contained
the name of Rev. Thomas Symmons Magson, and an address showing him living in Highworth,
Wiltshire, England. On the chance that he might still be alive, and residing at this
address, I decided to write him. To my great surprise I received a return letter three
weeks later from Rev. Magson, ("Tom") who it turns out was my second cousin once
removed. He was as surprised and pleased as I was. Tom was aware that his grandfathers
brother Joseph, (my great grandfather) had immigrated to New Britain, Ct. in the states,
but there had been no contact for so many years I believe he thought they had all passed
on. At any rate, "Tom" was 78 years of age at the time, still actively preaching
at St. Michaels and All Angels, an Anglican Church, just a short walk from his home in
Highworth. Tom's family consisted of his wife Rita, (a lovely lady), a son Robert T. (Rob)
who you may remember from his earlier contribution to this newsletter, and three
daughters, Celia, Jennifer and Mary. Since learning of my English family, my wife Helen
and I have had the privilege of visiting them twice in their homes, and they have been to
this country twice to visit with us. They were always very kind and did everything
possible to make our visits memorable. During our first visit in Sept. of 1990, we were
taken by "Rob" to Sowerby Bridge in West York. to visit the grave of our common
Great Great Grandfather Samuel b.1816 d.1868. The gravesite is adjacent to an old
Methodist Chapel, no longer being used as such. It was a very meaningful time for us all.
To continue with identifying family members here in Ct., I have four siblings, sisters
Dorothy (Magson) Nappi, Marilyn (Magson) Capen, Helen (Magson) Miller, and a brother,
Robert E. Magson. Robert and his wife Virginia have an adopted son, Michael A. Magson. My
wife Helen and I have four children, daughters Susan (Magson) Stone, Kathleen (Magson)
Pilchman, Carol (Magson) Honea, and son James Stephen Magson. James and his wife Lisa have
three daughters, Abigail Magson, Hannah Magson, and a son James Anthony Magson, who I am
counting on heavily to carry on the Magson surname. We have 14 grandchildren and 6 great
grandchildren and we are very proud of them all. We have a tradition of gathering together
on or about the 4th of July each year for a family reunion at the home of my sister
Dorothy and her family in Kensington, Ct. The 4th is a national holiday in this country.
Our group number in the 70's, which presently include (16) Magson's either by birth or
marriage. I am in the process of sending Family Group Sheets to Ken in Canada, for the
website where additional information can be obtained. If you're in New England on the 2nd
of July this year, why not stop in and meet the Ct. clan? Let me know.
Best Wishes To All, Jim Magson JHMag69@cs.com
FROM DAVID MAGSON
Elizabeth and I visited the UK from Indonesia last August. We intended to call on Alan and
Robert but became tied up with immediate family. We did however pass through Nunnington,
Yorkshire where my great grandfather George (1851- 1930) was born. It was a Monday and
everything was shut. We did however visit the local Anglican Church and found clear
evidence in the grave yard that Magsons either still lived there or had recently! I have
recently been through my late father's papers and in particular correspondence between him
and others triggered by Robert Magson in the early 1980's. My father and Eleanor Marian
Hammond nee Magson corresponded. All Marian's Great Uncles and Grandfather also came from
Nunnington and we seem to have been related. Her great-grandfather Webster Magson and my
Great-great-grandfather (name unknown) being brothers. I would very much like to hear from
any one who had relatives from Nunnington.
Best regards David david.magson@mronly.com
FROM YVONNE MAGSON
Well, what can I tell you about where we live? Okay, we live in a suburb of Cape Town
called Pinelands. This a garden village established by the late Richard Stuttaford in
1932. It was originally a forest with a river running through it. My family only moved
here in 1952 and, of course, by then it was quite established. It is called the key to the
Cape Flats, as all suburbs can be reached from Pinelands. When I got married to my husband
(John Magson) we moved into a house in Pinelands where our children grew up, attended
schools here and our eldest daughter went to the University of Cape Town. John was
transferred (Old Mutual) to East London for 3 years and then we returned to Pinelands
where we are now still living. Being a garden village we have many churches, schools,
shops, dentists, doctors etc., and in fact need never travel farther afield. John spent
his adolesence in Wynberg Military Camp where his father (William John Christopher) was a
Petty Officer in the South African Navy (Roy Magson, John's brother, and Theresa Zegerski,
Roy's daughter - our niece). South Africa is a great place to live, we have a lovely
climate (summer, which is about October to March ranges from 25 degrees to about 38
degrees), with winter being about 16 degrees to 21 degrees. We have beautiful Table
Mountain on our doorstep, and when the south-easterly wind blows and covers the top we
call it the 'Cape Doctor' as it blows all the pollution out to sea. We have a magnificent
coastline with beautiful white sand beaches. Cape Town harbour has been transformed into a
waterfront with many shops and is a great tourist attraction. We also have the bad side,
e.g. squatters, bomb blasts, gangs and rival taxis, but the main concern at the moment is
AIDS. Because we border with most of the poor 'African' states, e.g. Mocambique, Zimbabwe,
we have a lot of illegal immigrants coming through. The tradegy of AIDS is all the orphans
that are being left behind, and most of them also being HIV+. This is costing our country,
both medically and in manpower. There are many cultures who do not believe in, or will not
practice safe sex. This is being addressed at grassroots level, and being the young
country that we are, the future of South Africa lies in the next generation. However, I
love South Africa and would not want to live anywhere else.
Kind regards, and looking forward to your next newletter. Yvonne ymagson@mweb.co.za
FROM LAINIE JARVIS Hi my name is Lainie Jarvis (nee Magson) and I live with my husband
Derek in Norton, Malton, North Yorkshire, England. I was born in Westowcroft Hospital,
Westow, Malton but raised in Pickering, North Yorkshire (where most of my relatives still
live). Recently we returned from visiting my husbands sister, Mabel Jowsey, in New
Zealand, Mabel is very much into genealogy and I found it absolutely fascinating - so much
so - that I realised that I knew very little about my ancestors. Basically, I know who are
the brothers and sister of my father (Robert William) and that my grandfather Arthur was
born around 1897...no more. Mabel contacted the Yorksgen site for help with a 'Calling all
Magsons' and we received several responses - I was amazed and addicted there and then!!!
It was a bit a predicament really as our return date was looming, {luckily I was able to
speak to Rae - unfortunately it was too late to meet} and I wanted to find out more about
genealogy... but New Zealand is such a beautiful place - I was torn both ways. I would
love to be able to trace as much as the family tree as possible, therefore I can predict
that I am going to be a busy but happy person. If anyone wishes to contact me, I would
like to hear from you, please e-mail me at niejarvis@derwentservices.freeserve.co.uk
Kind regards Lainie
FROM BARBARA MAGSON LECK
A few months of digging makes quite a difference in researching a family's past. I now
know that my Magsons arrived in the United States from Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
in 1906 but have not discovered what port was used. I also do not know why my grandfather,
Charles Albert Magson, established himself in the Philadelphia area when the rest of the
family settled in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. But I do know that the four offspring of
Walter and Hannah Jane (Firth) Magson were born in Bradford and lived at 66 Parsonage
Road. The older two, Louis Edward, and Mary Elizabeth, married in 1902 and 1904 and
apparently remained in England. I have found Walter and his sister, Martha Jane, buried in
Union Cemetery in Slatersville, Rhode Island. Walter's son , Fred, died in Hollywood,
Florida, and I am in the process of acquiring a copy of his death certificate. In the 1920
Census Fred, his wife, Florence, and their children, Arthur and May, lived in Providence,
Rhode Island. Arthur married Idella Alma Lachapelle and both are buried in the R.I.
Veterans Cemetery in Exeter. I believe these are the people my mother met at a family
funeral. Now I am trying to determine whether Hannah ever came to the U.S. (I cannot find
her.), what happened to Fred's wife, and did Arthur have children? We took our course at
Emory University in genealogy this summer and found out about some software available from
the LDS that was only $33. It was a CD set of the 1881 British Index and Census and was
most helpful in tracking family. Walter had an older brother, John William, who had been
illusive to my English cousins and I was able to discover the name of his wife and first
child just sitting at my computer in the USA. I cannot wait for the 1891 Census to become
available on CDs. And, I am amazed at what can be learned from a $7 copy of a person's
application for a Social Security card which is public domain after that person's death
here in the US.
Barbara geoleck@bellsouth.net
FROM MARY MAGSON
My name is Mary Magson and I live with my husband Chris in a small village called Ticknall
in South Derbyshire, England. We have two children Thomas is 17 and Sophie 15. Chris is 46
and a freelance Land Surveyor, I am 47 and work in a bank. Chris's family all come from
Savile Park in Halifax, West Yorkshire. If there are any Magsons who would like a contact
in our part of the world please do not hesitate to send us a message. We look forward to
hearing from you on.....
Mary maryanne@mmagson.freeserve.co.uk
FROM ALAN MAGSON
"Several people think the idea of a grand gathering of the `Magson Clans` might be a
good idea for the year 2001, and it was thought that Yorkshire, England would be the
logical location as so many Magson ancestors hail from there. In addition a large number
of lines of Magson genealogy emanate from the Halifax, West Yorkshire area, so it was
thought that that would be a suitable place for the initial `get together.`
A. Would you agree on Halifax, Yorkshire, England ? 2001 is the suggested year, and I
thought that sometime during the summer months of July or August would be best, having in
mind British weather !
B. Would you agree July or August 2001 ? A ` one day ` gathering at a suitable venue,
local hall, restaurant, public house, hotel, or similar might seem to be the best idea,
with refreshments provided, for say lunch or dinner, so that everyone can have plenty of
time to meet everyone else, in a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. We would ask for
contributions from those attending to cover the cost of the premises and refreshments.
C. Would you agree? I could tour round a number of suitable guest houses, hotels, motels,
family hotels, in the Halifax and surrounding area, and get full details for anyone who
wanted them of prices, quality of accomodation, brochures etc.., and then send out
details.The final bookings and reservations would be left to the individual travellers to
make themselves with the guests house, hotel etc...
D. Would this be suitable? Nothing in the way of any sort of organised tours of the
`Magson` sites could be provided, but I could prepare maps, directions etc.., for anyone
who wanted to visit particular places i.e. Magson House, and if the numbers were not too
high, could probably head up a ` convoy` to some of the interesting places.
E. Would this be suitable? " Please let me know as soon are you are able, what your
preferences would be on the points raised, and if you are in agreement, whether and how
many people will be likely to come. Alan amagson@fdn.co.uk
REUNIONS
Please take note of the proposed Magson reunion in England in 2001, and reply to Alan with
your suggestions as soon as possible. Details on the New Zealand reunion are still a
little vague. This morning I phone the organiser of the McPhail/Magson/Barclay reunion and
he replied that at the moment they are concentrating on the book to be published with the
history of the three families, and the reunion plans will be made at the next committee
meeting. In case you are wondering, it is the reunion of the three families because it was
a case of 'his family, her family and then their family' way back many years ago. Probably
the reunion will be Labour Weekend 2000, which is late October, but if anyone wishes to
attend this reunion (and we would love to see you), please let the writer know and further
details will be sent as they come to hand.
WEBSITE - Remember, the change of address as Ken has told us. If you have not visited the
website recently, please do so, as many additions have been made, there is a lot of
information there. http://www.kcomtech.com/Magson/index.html
Best wishes to all, hope to meet some of you in New Zealand, but if not, maybe in England
in 2001.
Rae Magson
41 Queens Drive
Ashburton New Zealand
raejohn@xtra.co.nz
Rae Magson
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