S10EP02 - 'The Disinherited' with Simon Howard

In this 2nd episode of Season Ten, host Andrew is joined by Norfolk-based family historian, churchyard lurker, heirloom re-uniter, and TikTok video maker - Simon Howard.

THE LIFE STORY - ELEANOR THORNBERRY SMITH

Simon has chosen to tell the life story of his 3x Gt Grandmother Eleanor Thornberry Smith, who was born circa 1822 in Kings Lynn, Norfolk.

Simon discovered Eleanor was baptised by her mother Elizabeth Smith, who was unmarried. There was no mention of a father, but that middle name of Thornberry seemed unusual, and would be the clue to help him unlock the identity of his 4x Gt Grandfather.

What he found was a man called David Thornberry living a very different life than Eleanor's mother Elizabeth. He was a young engineer working on the sluices and riverways of the area.... and he was also married.

As Simon discovers, Elizabeth manages to get David to contribute to his daughter in her early years, but when he discovers that she's not mentioned in his Will, did she ever know who he was?

THE BRICK WALL - BERNARD LOWN 

Simon is looking for help to track down Bernard Lown and his family, who go missing in the Norfolk area of Clunchwarton, Terrington St. John, and Terrington St. Clements. 

He's been able to find the Lown family - Bernard, his wife Mary, their sons Richard, George, and Bernard, in the 1841 and 1851 censuses, and he's found Mary with a burial in 1867 at Clunchwarton... but that 1861 census remains a mystery. 

• What becomes of Bernard Lown? 
• Where were the Lown family in 1861?

If you think you can help, you can send him a message via his social media channels - Facebook, Instagram, or via the email he gives in the episode. Alternatively, you can send us a message and we'll pass it straight along to him.

In the meantime, Simon is curious of Andrew's offer of help, but does he have time?

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Episode Credits:

• Andrew Martin - Host and Producer
• Simon Howard - Guest
• John Spike - Sándor Petőfi

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Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:55 The Interview - Simon Howard
• 20:01 The Life Story - Eleanor Thornberry Smith
• 36:14 The Brick Wall - Bernard and Mary Lown
• 42:46 The Departure