Genealogy search - Wells family - can you help Eileen?

Beatrice & Leonard Wells

Received this email from Eileen Bailey who is researching her family tree and has discovered that some of her ancestors settled in the Wednesbury area of the Black Country. If this rings any bells for anyone, please send me an email and I'll put you in touch with Eileen. Incidentally, one of my great-great grandfathers came from nearby Willenhall, he was a black smith named Thomas Clayton - but don't get me started on my family tree!

Here is Eileen's email:

Hi there,

I am researching my family history and have discovered that some of my ancestors settled in your area; George Wells; his wife Susan Wells nee Bowman; their 2 children Leonard Wells (possibly Leonard George Wells b Ware Herts; abt 1888; Beatrice Wells b Whittington Derbyshire abt 1892; (Could be Willindon) George Wells was an actor and musician in my great great grandfathers portable theatre but by 1901 George had moved to Wednesbury with his family and was working as a 'House Painter' according to census; I have lots of information on this family, roots and lively-hoods if anyone is interested. I also have photo's of Len and Beatrice and their mother, Susan Wells nee Bowman;

Eileen Bailey

Susan Wells

...and there's more:

Hi Pete,

I now live in East Yorkshire. However I was born in Northamptonshire living in Rushden. My Wells Ancestors hail from York in Yorkshire moving around the Yorkshire area some settling in Bradford; The theatre was supposedly one of the largest of its kind according to a report where The World Fair interviewed my grandmother in the 1950's. I have a copy of the report, both in newspaper format which is a large item for me to send but I have transcribed the wording on another document for my own use on the family tree. I would love for you to place this on your site, I have to let my cousin know as she is part of this, but I know she will agree as it all helps to get the information seen on a wider field.

It was Joseph Wells, son George who took his family to live in Wednesbury when the theatre folded. Apparently it was sold to a Harry Farris who is again supposed to have taken it to Wales but to date we can find no proof of this act. What would you like? I have photo's of Susan Wells and her two children, Beatrice and Leonard Wells but none of George sadly. You will get the description of the theatre in the World Fair document and I can send anything else you are prepared to add.

Eileen