From Stanhoe Hall to Bendigo: the Wells family
An enquiry from Sue and Frederick Wells of Bendigo, Australia, shows just how far family connections can reach in space and time. Fred is a seventh-generation descendant of Samuel Wells and Mary Walker, who moved to Stanhoe after they married in 1741.
Sam and Mary met at Anmer Hall, where both were servants, and Sue Wells believes that Sam may later have worked as a servant at Stanhoe Hall. Their ten children crop up in the records at South Creake, Bircham and Bintree, and then, three generations later, in Victoria, Australia.
A long way from Stanhoe: Sue and Fred Wells
in 2007 on a gold-prospecting trip in
Tibooburra, New South Wales
Despite the Wells family’s early Australian connection, Sue and Fred Wells were both born in the UK. Fred emigrated in 1962 after serving in the RAF, while Sue fetched up in Australia after living in Rhodesia and New Zealand. “Sadly we have never been to Stanhoe or Anmer,” she says.
Sue has plenty of genealogical information on the Wells family of Stanhoe, which she would be happy to share, but is always seeking more. If you can help, feel free to .