SMALLWOOD FAMILY HISTORY


THE SMALLWOOD WINE MERCHANTS FROM HANDSWORTH (TREE 2)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

This substantial and early Smallwood tree stretches back to the Tudor period in the area of Handsworth and incorporates over 1000 individuals. It has been studied extensively by David Smallwood of Worcestershire, who has been researching the family since the 1980's and has been central to the one-name study of the Smallwood name. David first published an outline of the tree in 1995, with updates in 2004 and a full second edition in 2005 - copies are available direct from David or in the library of the Society of Genealogists. The core of the tree was previously published in 1908, and David's work has corroborated and expanded this tree, bringing many lines down to the present. A copy of this earlier published tree is also available at the Society of Genealogists.

The Smallwood family have had a presence in the Birmingham area since at least 1467, when a Thomas Smalwode was appointed Priest of Bermingham by Sir William de Bermingham, Knight. By 1496 there are references to a John and Alice Smalewode of Honnysworth, and scattered local references continue into the 1550's. The documented tree begins with the William Smallwood buried at Aldridge, whose will was proved in 1552.

Some researchers have attempted to draw a link between the later Smallwood family in Prince Edward Island, Canada (ancestors of the former Premier of Newfoundland, Joey Smallwood) and this tree, but the evidence is not supportive of a connection.


OUTLINE OF TREE

By the 19th century, the central members of this tree were affluent wine merchants in the Birmingham area.


SUMMARY OF RESEARCHERS

Descendant line Name of researcher Location Notes

If you are researching this branch of the Smallwoods and would like to have your name or contact details listed here, please contact Ian Hall.

 

This page was last updated 16 May 2007 Return to main page >>>