Hi there
I'm searching for family ancestors.
My great grandfather was John Gape, born circa 1865 in the Puddletown area of Dorset. His father was Zebulon Gape (also spelt 'Sablin' and 'Yabulon' in some records!!) also of Puddletown, Dorsetshire, born 1831. He was baptised in Puddletown on 21 August 1831, son of Andrew and Elizabeth Gape. Zebulon married Amelia ? also of Puddletown, and they lived in Bere Regis, Devon before returning to Puddletown. They had five children: Goerge W(?) c1857, Bere Regis; Mary A(?) c1860, Bere Regis; Henry J(?) c1862, Morden/Puddletown; John (my great grandfather) c1865, Morden/Puddletown and Jane M(?) c1866, Buckland Filleigh, Devonshire.
John Gape travelled up the country, first to the Bromsgrove/Worcestershire area where he married Emma Smith of Upton Warren/Stoke Prior in 1897. They then travelled to Skipton, North Yorkshire where they had a daughter, Doris Gape (my grandmother), born 5 October 1898. They finally settled in Carnforth, Lancashire where John Gape was registered as a Railway Guard. They lived in Russell Road, Carnforth then Oxford Street, Carnforth, where they had a son, John, who was baptised 18 Oct 1905. Unfortunately this child died aged 14 in September 1919.
If anyone has connections with the Gape family or has any information or advice i would be pleased to hear from them. You can contact me direct: 30browfieldATblueyonderDOTcoDOTuk if you wish.
Many thanks
Martin Williamson