The Patterson family have lived in Ealing since at least 1878 when Robert William Patterson (see photo - the oldest we have!) married Elizabeth Jane Ilett in St John's Church, Ealing Dean. Before this Robert William's parents William Patterson and Louisa Catherine Davies were married in St George's Hanover Square, Westminster in 1844; Robert William being born in Compton Street, St Pancras in 1845. We have not been able to trace the family back any further than 1844 as we are unable to locate them in the 1851 census. We do know however, according to his marriage certificate, that William Patterson's father was one John Patterson; his profession being a farmer. Where did he live I wonder? Does anyone know?
However we have been able to trace some of the other branches of Keith's Ancestors back to the 1700s, particularly the Comptons, Iletts and Willetts and another branch, the Wingroves, back to the late 1500s. Click on the link if you wish to view these.
There are a number of interesting stories and other information about the Patterson family. If you wish to view these please click on the links below.
The Ilett Reunion. Read the account of how Elizabeth Jane Patterson (nee Ilett) and her brother Edward Ilett were reunited after approximately 50 years.
William Patterson killed in the Great War - a remembrance. Also includes a short history of the Machine Gun Corps.
41 Williams Road - the ancestral home in West Ealing.
An Arranged Marriage - the story of the marriage of George Patterson and Caroline Compton in India in 1913.
By the way does anyone know what the chain and medals are around Robert William's neck? There is a family story that mentions the word "buffs". Was that some club or association, maybe with military connotations, and was this the chain of office or was it his medals worn around his neck or maybe a combination of both?