FOSTER-L Archives

From: B & E Bardes <>
Subject: FOSTER/FORSTER; England>Mass.
Date: Sun, 18 Jan 1998 10:46:23 -0500

Hello, Rooters --
I am searching for ancestors of Reginald FOSTER, who emigrated from
England to Ipswich, Massachusetts, in about 1638. According to a book
by F. C. Pierce, "Foster Genealogy," published by the author (in USA) in
1899, Reginald was born about 1595 in Brunton (which I understand to be
near Wooler, in Northumberland), and came to Massachusetts with his wife
Judith and seven children. According to Pierce, his parents were Thomas
Forster and Elizabeth Carr. Both families were Northumberland families
for many generations, and lots of information about their ancestors is
available.
However, other sources indicate that Reginald may have been born in
Essex, or Suffolk or Devon. The available information is confusing, at
best. For example, his wife's surname is given as Wignall, Wignol,
Wignal and Wygnol. Their marriage supposedly occurred in Theydon
Garnon, Essex, England, on 28 Sep 1619. According to the different
sources, Reginald may have been born in Exeter (Devonshire), Ipswich
(Suffolk) or somewhere in Essex. A couple of folks even give his
birthplace as Ipswich, Massachusetts, which hadn't been settled in 1595
(Reginald's approximate birth date), and wouldn't be settled for more
thanr 30 years. I've also seen information to the effect that Thomas
Forster and Elizabeth Carr were born, married and died in Gisburn,
Yorkshire. The pieces just don't fit together.
My questions are:
(1) Where was Reginald FOSTER the immigrant born?
(2) What is your source for such information?
(3) Is there any indication that a Reginald Forster of about this age
may have been born in Northumberland?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Bruce Bardes
Montgomery, Ohio USA
[Newcomer to both listservs]

This thread:

• FOSTER/FORSTER; England>Mass. by B & E Bardes <>