Hi everyone.
I have been busy searching Maryland records and one record stands out in a big way. The 1790 Montgomery County Maryland census has a large population of people with known Romany surnames.
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/md/montgomery/census/1790/index.txt
I think I counted somewhere around 20 to 30 Romany surames in that one record. Of which are truly Romany I can not know, but with the surnames like Barnes, Smith, Boswell, Carter and many others, we have to look at this group with interest to see if any are Romany.
And it appears some were in Montgomery County Maryland as early as 1778.
Oaths of Fidelity 1778 Montgomery County Maryland
Surnames; Boswell, Bailey, Campbell, Carter , Henry Lock and William Jewell.
But I don't think they are exlusive to Montgomery County Maryland, as I am finding some of the very same names in Calvert County Maryland 1700's.
I am convinced there is a large Romany presence in early Maryland.
My Richard Lock of Calvert County Maryland has direct ties to a John Smith, Luke Smith, Benjamin Dixon, William Perry ( all known Romany surnames )and to the Hall family. Richard Lock's descendants in the USA have 7 confirmed Lock / Hall marriages.
If you are missing some English Roms, you might check early Maryland and Virginia records!
Does anyone know if the following surnames are known Romany surnames?
Jewell, Hite, Griffith, Ruffin
|