< Ray@Copson.org >
Derek Copson writes …
I see from an advert in a national paper that there is a Copson Street in Manchester (England). Could it be named after the cricketer who lived not too far away?
Re the suggestion of a Copson get-together. As I was the first to mention it I suppose that I had better do something about it. Can I propose a date of a weekend latish in September 2003 and a venue of somewhere between Leicester and Coventry, either a large hotel or a university campus. Somebody suggested something similar and I wrote to them in support but heard nothing back.
If anyone interested and with Copson connections would like to contact me direct I could get some idea of the amount of support likely. Please note that I have changed my e-mail address to
Regards to all!
From Flora Becket …
I just found your page -- can anyone tell me about my two ancestral Copsons?
One is Susannah Copson, b. about 1560 in Warwickshire and m. to Thomas Harcourt/Harcutt; the other is Elizabeth Copson b. 1572 in Fillongley, Warwickshire and m. to Thomas Edson -- I would assume they are related.
Any clues appreciated.
How many Copsons can count relations going back that far? Flora is U.S. based and can be reached at
Sue Elias wrote the following to Helen Hartley. Wonder what developed?
I was interested to see your piece on the Copson web site relating to Worcester Copsons. My maternal grandmother was ROSE COPSON, born in Astley, Worcestershire, in 1876. ROSE was the daughter of JOHN and SUSAN COPSON. John was born in Grafton, Worcestershire, in c.1833. His wife Susan was
born in Worcester in c.1836; I do not yet have Susan's maiden name. John is entered as an agricultural labourer on the 1881 Census. On the marriage certificate of his daughter Rose he is entered as a gardener (deceased).
Rose married my grandfather, GEORGE HENRY KEMP, at the Parish Church in Ross on Wye, Herefordshire, on 1st June 1903. George was born in Ryton, Warwickshire, c.1876. He is listed as an agricultural worker on the 1881 Census, and as a cooper on his marriage certificate.
My mother, Rose's daughter, LYNDA MARY KEMP, was born in Ross in 1912. I believe that Rose died when my mother was about 15 years old - I do not yet have her death certificate. My mother used to recall that Rose was quite ill through most of my mother's childhood. Rose and George had many children - I do not know how many as yet - but only three survived into adulthood, and only two reached 'senior citizen' status.
I would be interested to learn if these Worcestershire Copsons fit in with yours.
Here's Sue's email address, if anyone else can help:
S.F.Elias@bham.ac.uk
Ray Copson of New Zealand has been sleuthing again…
Was very pleased to read in the 2002 about finding J W, A Copson Hero (see next article) by Margaret Copson Baker. I was able to phone Gwenda and tell her not only who he was, but also that he was distantly related to Alan her husband. Alan and Margaret I find to my delight are missing people from my own family. Their Grand Father Horace Copson is no less than brother to my own father and indeed the only one of my father's brothers that, owing to age differential, I was priveliged to know
Many thanks for mentioning the problem I had been having with my own E mail and if any more Copsons are interested I have finally got to the end of recording Copson Birth Registrations 1837-1983 total of some3380names it enables me to continue to supply information to enquiries. Best wishes to one and all
(Microsoft Outlook Express users -- remember, your email program may try to drop that "NZ" at the end of Ray's address. Doublecheck and insert it yourself if you have to.
From Margaret Copson Baker ….
I've been chatting to my family about your Web site, and was reminded of an amazing coincidence involving
someone by the name Copson, and we wondered if we could use your facility to search for the family of a Mr. J.W. Copson. My brother Alan is married to a lady named Gwenda (maiden name Kirk). Gwenda's mother when aged 3 or 4 years old (in the year 1909) had a narrow escape from drowning. Briefly the story goes,and we have a newspaper
cutting from the Leicester (U.K.) Mercury telling this story, that she fell into flood water ar Crosby. Seemingly several children were playing at 'Patch Bridge' in Crosby when Rose Gimpson (Gwendas mother) disappeared under the water of the flooded stream. The children spotted, and shouted to a man nearby who was on his bicycle, and he came over, saw the little girl had her head caught in a culvert pipe under water, and managed with some great difficulty to pull her free. He managed to empty her stomach & lungs of water and then carried the little girl quarter of a mile to her mother's
house. This man was a Mr. J.W. Copson, a watchmaker from Sutton in the Elms. The coincidence is that little Rose Gimpsons daughter (Gwenda) should end up marrying my brother Alan Copson some 60 years later. A small world!
We are wondering if there are any relatives of this Mr. J. W. Copson from Sutton in the Elms who are receiving your news, and if so it might be interesting if they either contacted Gwenda on 01159 374274, or me at petro_baker@compuserve.com . (Note, there is an "underscore" or _ between petro and baker). We would love to hear from them, and Gwenda would love to thank them on her now deceased mothers behalf!
You asked if I would be able to assist you at this end re: reunions. I
will be pleased to help when the time comes.
Earlier, Margaret wrote about her meeting with Pam Copson.
I was passed your details by Pam Copson from Sherbourne, Warwickshire. The way we met was strange...... I am a learner bell ringer at our local church, and one practise evening a lady walked into the bell tower who was obviously well known by all the experienced bell ringers gathered. She saw my new face, came over and introduced herself as Pam Copson. My mouth dropped open as my maiden name was Copson !!! We had a chat and she passed on your web site details.
My father was Henry Leonard Joel COPSON born 1908 in Leicester, sadly he died in 2000 aged 92. His father was Horace COPSON and he lived in Wigston or Leicester . My mother Mary Copson is still alive, aged 90 years, and living in Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. My brother Alan John COPSON lives in Keyworth in Nottinghamshire, He has two daughters both now married with children but no sons. So our line of the Copson family will end on his death.
My father, H.L.J. Copson was a qualified Pharmacist and worked for Boots, the Chemist (drugstore), all his professional life, finally retiring in Melton Mowbray where my mother still lives. The only other relative that I have heard talk of was a step brother to my father apparently also named Horace (after his father) and he lived in the Leicester area. My father and his step brother didn't keep in close touch and we have lost contact with that side of the family.
I trust the above will be of interest, if I can glean any other information I will certainly pass it on to you. I have copied the information from your web site and will circulate it around the family.
My email address is petro_baker@compuserve.com
(Editor's note: a search through the Copson Chronicle and New Copson Articles turns up several occurrences of the name "Horace." Explanations welcomed. Incidentally, the editor is working on installing a search option at this website, but still has some learning to do. The editor's father fell off a raft and nearly drowned in Easthampton, Massachusetts, at about the same time as the incident Margaret describes. He was saved in similar circumstances, though not by a Copson. Bell ringing seems to fun in the family. The editor hopes this is not true of near-drowning experiences. )
John Copson (john_copson@lineone.net) writes to ask about the re-union mentioned by Margaret Copson Baker. The editor has nothing to report! English Copsons -- this one is up to you! Let's get something started, people, and the Copson diaspora will descend on the Midlands from around the world!
John also mentions the difficulty in contacting Ray Copson (South) because his email address has a ".nz" at the end that doesn't seem to be handled by Outlook Express. The editor has encountered this problem in contacting Ray many times. The solution is to avoid the "Reply" option, and type out Ray's address in full: Ray.Copson@clear.net.nz
Ray is a great authority on Copson genealogy, and readers need to be able to keep in touch with him.
Robert Copson (Robcopson@btopenworld.com) writes …
Just a note to say "hello" and fill you in on a few things that have happened since my Father wrote to you a few years back. His name was Roy Copson, from Coventry, living in Bournemouth. I'm his only son Robert, also living in Bournemouth. Roy and his wife Joan, have recently moved back to Bournemouth, after a two and a half year spell back in the Midlands, living in Tamworth.
We now have a little girl called Melissa Shelby Copson, so yet another Copson to add to the list.
I shall let my father know about your web site, so he can have a good read through next time he visits. I'm sure he'll be very interested to catch up on what he's missed over the last few years, and possibly may be able to help with a few enquiries.
This just in from Australia:
"My name is Melissa Lucashenko, and my great-grandmother was an Aboriginal lady called Christina Copson. She lived around Brisbane, Australia, dying in 1953. I am going to be talking to Nick Hollingworth to try and trace her line, if possible. Just thought you might like to know!"
The Chronicle looks forward eagerly to learning the results of the conversation Melissa (supergin27@bigpond.com.au) has with Nick, a great authority on Austrilian Copsons.
Sites found by Marjorie Copson (mcopson@hotmail.com) of Reston, Virginia. Who says Copsons don't get around?
A Copson newscaster:
http://www.wnyt.com/talent/lcbio.html
A Copson artist:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1533006589
A Copson cricket star:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1825853757
The Chronicle has received the following message, written in utmost cool:
Hi Ray, like the site! keep ya eye out for the band 'Dave Copson's Driving South' playing around the midlands. anytime you wanna do a feature let me know!.
All the best,
Dave Copson
The Chronicle imagines that readers will indeed want to hear more from Dave! The editor will encourage him to submit a feature. Meanwhile, if you would like to book a gig, contact Dave at DJCDrivngSouth@aol.com
From Sydney, AustraliaHi Ray! I wonder if anyone could provide me with information about my maternal grandfather - Thomas Walter Copson (born 1905?) of Leicester???? Not much is known of his family except that his father was Samuel Dingley Copson and his mother's name was Beatrice. 'Tom' Copson married Catherine (Kitty) Smith of Bristol and lived there until his premature death in the 1950s. Unfortunately, my grandmother was never able to give us 'youngsters' much information on his family at all......so if anyone out there might know something.......I would really appreciate it (so would my mum!!!)
Ingrid Kelly, ingridk@ozdocs.net.au The Chronicle put Ingrid in touch with Sean and Sylvia Copson, leading authorities on Leicester Copsons -- and hopes to hear the results. Ingrid writes that the Chronicle inspired her Mum, who is only in her seventies, to buy a PC to keep up with Copson research.
Hello Mr. Copson,
My name is Allison Copson, and I'm writing to you because I was interested in looking for my Family history and about my ancestors. I went onto the Web under my last name, which is Copson, and I reached your website. I live in New York City and my e-mail address is
crazally1031@aol.comI would like to hear from you, and get to know you, and see if you can help my find out about my ancestors. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time and like I said, I would greatly appreciate it if you can contact me back.
Sincerely,
Allison Copson
The Chronicle advised Allison to ask her parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents about their Copson roots. Meanwhile, perhaps some Chronicle reader can help.
My Mother's maiden name was Copson, and I am trying to trace her brother, Jeffrey Copson, date of birth October 18, 1935, last known address: 157 Coventry Road, Hinkley. Any ideas where I can find details, or which website to search? Thanks.
Sue Wollard
powak@btinternet.com
Thanks to Heather DePaolo (dpaolo@amesbury.net)of Amesbury, Massachusetts for forwarding the following. Hi Heather.... My brother, Paul Copson, of Quincy, Mass. has done much research in our branch of Copsons. Sent your E-mail address to him, so you may hear from him soon. His e-mail address is plcpsn@aol.com. Hope this helps!!
Anne (Copson) Fitzgerald AFitzg5529@aol.com
Blackstone, Mass. Paul is indeed the leading authority on Massachusetts and New England Copsons. Perhaps he will write something for the Chronicle soon.
From Ray Copson ( Ray.Copson@clear.net.nz ) of New Zealand
A letter to me (or part of)from Stephen Copson 25th June 1998: Quote"My tree goes back to Thomas and Priscilla who lived in Guilsborough in 1740 but possibly moved to the adjacent parish of Thornby
See Copson Articles page 6 29th Jan 2000 re tie up with Australia
Research into I G I Records gives for Thornby, Northamptonshire
Mary Dau of Thomas and Priscilla 17 April 1741
Henry Son 23 March 1742
Ann Dau 2 nd Nov 1744
William Son 6th Dec 1745
Thomas Son 3rd March 1746?? Suggest 1747
Catherine Dau 26th May 1748
Elizabeth Dau 23rd March 1750
Priscilla Dau 7th June 1752
A probable male descendant William
4 1881 Census for Kibworth Harcourt Leicestershire
William Head, 37, Bricklayer born Thornby Northamtonshire
Emma Wife, 36. " Hallaton "
Alfred Stephen 10 " Gumley Leicestershire. Reg atMarket Harborough 1871 June
William Henry 8 " " 1872 "
Charles Soloman 7 ' " 1873 Sept
Lydia Elizabeth Died 1875 Mar
Minnie Elizabeth 5 " " 1876June
Clara 1 " Kibworth 1879June
The location now changes again to Derbyshire where the grown up William Henry marries Hannah Stevens at the parish church of Clay Cross on the 3rd Sept 1900 his father on wedding certificate as
William (Bricklayer) William Henry/hannah's grandchildren include the other Copson HomePage contributors of Michael (the son of the well known cricketer also Wm Henry, son of Wm Henry) and Joan Mary Cosforth daughter of Gwennie May and therefore cousin to Michael
My own family research through John the 4th son of my great grand father John/Jane Williamson had also moved to this area John and his second Wife Lizzie Shortland both died in this Derbyshire area
Finally should any reader old or new have any news,comment or information on this missive or any Leicester origin Copson's I would be delighted to hear it. Particularly of James first son of John/Jane last known as a 17 year old in 1861 Census but thought to have had something to do with horses in New Jersey USA
of descendants of Henry Shortland Copson Married Derby 1897 Dec Quarter
Geoge Edward married Evelyne Temple Rotherham 1901 Dec quarter
Frederick John " Sarah Foy Hague Heely Sheffield 25July 1906
And at last my best wishes to Copson's and associates everywhere I can be contacted via Email but as some systems are ommitting to include the nz I am not receiving them and therefore you arnt getting any
answers so dont just click on return to sender. By snail mail 116 Cleveland Terrace, Nelson, New Zealand
or phone (from U K ) 0064 13 5467708