Most Wanted

Does anybody know how the following South African Woosters fit into the GWT?

Cecil Harold Wooster (https://woosterfamily.co.uk/TNG/getperson.php?personID=I1157&tree=MiscPublic)
Born abt. 1922, Transvaal. m. Olive Whittal (nee Humphreys, divorcee) at Johannesburg 30 Jun 1945. Olive born abt. 1924 Southern Rhodesia. Both residents of Benoni.
REFERENCE 4070/1965
PART 1
DESCRIPTION ILLIQUID CASE. PAYMENT. PRUDENTIAL BUILDING SOCIETY VERSUS CECIL HAROLD WOOSTER.
STARTING 19650000
ENDING 19650000
REFERENCE 3708/1966
PART 1
DESCRIPTION ILLIQUID CASE. PAYMENT. PRUDENTIAL BUILDING SOCIETY VERSUS CECIL HAROLD WOOSTER.
STARTING 19660000
ENDING 19660000
REFERENCE 12134/75
PART 1
DESCRIPTION WOOSTER, CECIL HAROLD.
STARTING 19750000
ENDING 19750000
REMARKS SURVIVING SPOUSE OLIVE WOOSTER.
Given that Cecil was a resident of Benoni when he married in 1945, it would seem likely that his connection to the GWT is through Albert Edward Wooster and Annie Jane Laverton. He is probably just too young to be their son, but might be just young enough to be their grandson via Albert Edward jnr. Could he be the boxing promoter or the con-man referred to by Raymond Gordon Wooster below?
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Reginald George Wooster (https://woosterfamily.co.uk/TNG/getperson.php?personID=I1335160&tree=GWTpublic)
Born 30 Dec 1929, Transvaal. m. Birkley Joyce Heard 7 Nov 1953 at Boksburg. Birkley born 26 Mar 1932, Transvaal.

From Raymond Gordon Wooster born in Boksburg/Benoni South Africa: My dad Reginald George Wooster was born December 1929 I think in South Africa but he had a bad childhood so any talk of his family was taboo. He had a half-sister Audry. I have very little family history that I know of. I understand that my father was raised by his grandmother who was of Scottish descent. In South Africa where I was born in Boksburg there were only 2 other Wooster that I know of. One was quite a famous boxing promoter apparently not directly related to us. The other was a 2nd world war vet with one leg who was apparently a con man specialising in young nurses. Selling clothing getting the cash and then moving on before delivering the goods. He apparently was related to my dad Reginald George Wooster.

Given the location and timing it is reasonable to assume that Reginald is a grandson of Albert Edward Wooster and Annie Jane Laverton (b. Edinburgh).
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Herbert Arthur Wooster (https://woosterfamily.co.uk/TNG/getperson.php?personID=I1328302&tree=GWTpublic)
The son of Herbert Bertie Wooster and Mabel Baldwin (Mabel died in South Africa in 1963). There is a Herbert A Wooster living at 133 Empire Court, North End Road, Wembley from 1947 through to 1958 with Eleanor E Wooster, presumably his wife. We haven't found a marriage record for him, so is this the same man and could Eleanor be South African? Or is this a different family? There is also a Herbert A Wooster with a Mabel Wooster at 2 Molesey Road, Esher in Surrey in 1962. This looks like it could be Herbert temporarily back in the UK with his mother. Could his father Herbert Bertie have spent some time in South Africa? Could either of them be the boxing promoter referred to by Raymond Gordon Wooster?
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Winifred May Wooster (https://woosterfamily.co.uk/TNG/getperson.php?personID=I1169&tree=MiscPublic)
Born 25 Dec 1903, Sandspurit, Transvaal and died 1 Apr 1966 in Durban. Single. Could she be a child of Albert Edward Wooster and Annie Jane Laverton?
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Irene Mabel Wooster (https://woosterfamily.co.uk/TNG/getperson.php?personID=I1273&tree=MiscPublic)
Born 1914, Transvaal. Very likely to be the daughter of Albert Edward Wooster and Annie Jane Laverton, given that she was resident in Benoni at the time of her marriage in 1935.
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Death Index
Full Names Surname Date of Birth Spouse
HERBERT ARTHUR WOOSTER 19180625
REGINALD GEORGE WOOSTER 19291230 BIRKLEY JOYCE
BIRKLEY JOYCE WOOSTER 19320326 REGINAL GEORGE
STEPHEN WOOSTER 19451115
EARL WOOSTER 19470611
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Arthur J Worcester
The AngloBoerWar website gives two records, both in Kitchener's Fighting Scouts.
1. A J Worcester no. 26936: Demise: Died of disease - enteric fever 15 Apr 1901 Place: Klipkraal Source: In Memoriam by S Watt
2. Arthur John Worcester no. 844: Served in 1st KFS. Joined Cape Town 14 Jan 01 died of wounds 15 Apr 01 Graaff Reinet Source: Nominal roll in WO127.
It seems inconceivable that these two people are not the same person.
The only UK record which appears to match is a baptism record for an Arthur Worcester, baptised 25 Jul 1881 at St Giles, Camberwell. Born in the workhouse to mother Maria Worcester.

The birth certificate of George Alfred Lane has his mother down as Mary Ann Wooster. The name of the father isn't recorded. The birth took place on 9 Nov 1864 at 89 Adam Street, Rotherhithe, a street which no longer exists. This address is given as Mary's abode. Whilst there are some potential candidates for Mary on the trees, none are obvious. Do you have any information about Mary and what happened to her and/or George?

Unknown Mapleton Woosters? These two unmarked photos were found stored with photos of the Wooster family from Mapleton, Iowa. If they are Woosters they will be descendants of the Reverend John Wooster and Fanny Reed Stebbins. Their two sons, Quincy Adams Wooster and Theodore Frelinghuysen Wooster both moved to Mapleton. The photos are believed to have been taken around 1901.

RYDER, Thora Jeannie (nee Wooster). Passed away 20 August 2020, aged 83. Much loved wife of the late Wattie. Loved mum of Brent, Wade, Julie and Shalley. Proud nana of Jarrod, Ashleigh, Johnny, Lauren, Emma, Diana, Georgia and Jasper.
New Zealand Herald, 22 Aug 2020.
Any ideas who this lady is and how she connects to the GWT?
DOB: 14 Nov 1936 (NZ Online BMD)

A Walter Worster born in Borough, Surrey was jailed in 1879 for theft. The case was heard at the Old Bailey. His age was given as 20, but the closest matches we have on our trees are Walter Worster born in 1855 and Walter John Wooster born 1854, both in St George, Southwark. Both appear a few years too old, although the geography matches. Is the jailed Walter one of these two or is he someone else?

One of our members found the following information. This leads us to believe that Terry is most likely a son of Robert Higham Wooster and hence a great grandson of Joseph Wooster and Margaret Carroll. Of course other explanations are possible. If you can confirm or refute these links then please do get in touch.

ANDERSON, Ruth 11-Jul-2020 ANDERSON (WOOSTER) Ruth On July 11 2020 peacefully at Ballarat. Aged 83 years and in the care of her daughter. Adored wife and soul mate of George (dec Jan 29 2020). Beloved mother of Kathryn and Jim, David and Carina; loving and much loved Grandma of Eliza; James and Jake. Loving sister, sister-in-law, cousin and auntie. Dear friend, confidante and second mother to many. Promoted to Glory Private funeral Date listed: 16/7/2020 Publication: Herald Sun
Anyone know how she fits into the GWT?
Given the location, could she be a descendant of Benjamin Wooster (1840-1895)?

Husband Graeme Wooster, address given as Fenchs Forest New South Wales. Does anyone know how they fit into the GWT? https://memories.net/timeline/victoriaheatherakavicky-wooster-32474

Departed for Cape Town in 1922
Age: 38
Birth Date: abt 1884
Departure Date: 28 Jul 1922
Port of Departure: Southampton, England
Destination Port: Cape Town, South Africa
Ship Name: Edinburgh Castle
Shipping Line: Union-Castle Mail S S Co Ltd
Official Number: 139088
Master: J W R N R Haque

He gave his last permanent residence as somewhere in "British Possession" and his future intended residence as South Africa

Any ideas how he fits in?

Benjamin Wooster arrived in Southampton from Cape Town:
Port of Departure: Cape Town, South Africa
Arrival Date: 15 Aug 1948
Port of Arrival: Southampton, England
Ports of Voyage: Cape Town and Las Palmas
Ship Name: Carnarvon Castle
Shipping Line: Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company Ltd
Official Number: 148766

He was listed under the heading "Distressed British Seamen" and his last country of permanent residence given as "Ireland", future intended residence Northern Ireland. Address:25 Grafton St Londonderry.
Any ideas as to how he connects to us?

Avis Wooster was a radiographer, born in 1935, most likely in Southern Rhodesia. She arrived in the UK on 10th August 1956 and stayed until 10th February 1960 when she returned to Rhodesia. She appeared on the 1960 Electoral Rolls in the German Hospital in Hackney, where presumably she was working. Does anybody know how she fits in with any of our trees?

We have in January 1853 a 35 year old George Wooster arriving Melbourne ex London, therefore his DOB would be circa 1818, Ship Countess of Eglin. Also on the same voyage is Ann Wooster aged 20 (born ca. 1833).
The most likely candidate on the GWT would be George, the son of James Wooster and Ann White. He survived to adulthood, appearing on the 1841 census living in Bradenham with his parents, but there is no sign of a marriage.
George died in 1861 and is buried in Bradenham. His death certificate gives the informant as Ann Wooster, but no relationship is given. Is this the same George Wooster? Did he and Ann emigrate to Australia and then return?

Max Rayner Wooster was in the Murgon Town Brass Band in 1921 and is named on a poor newspaper photo. A much better photo of the band is shown, taken in 1922, but with no names. Is Max on this photo?

George James Worcester is the great grandfather of one of our members. Can you help him get any further back?

Is Joseph connected to the GWT?

A Thomas Worcester (b. ca. 1806) was transported after being convicted of theft in 1826. He arrived in Tasmania on board the Governor Ready. According to the records on the Tasmanian Names Index, it appears he was from "City Road" and possibly married a Charlotte (Worcester) in Bishopsgate Street, or was Charlotte his mother? At the time of his first conviction for theft in 1822, the transcript of the trial suggests he was living in Bishopsgate with his mother. A departure record on the Tasmanian Names Index suggests he left Tasmania, bound for Port Philip in Melbourne in 1841, after which we can see no trace of him. Do you know which Worcester family he is related to? Transcripts of Convictions

A court case (adjourned) where John Woster claims to be owed money for lodgings by Thomas Carroll. Who is this John Woster? Could he be the same one who was assaulted (see below)?

Newspaper report from Adelaide about the conviction of two men who assaulted John Woster, ship's cook and steward. Any ideas who this John Woster could be?

Richard Wall was accused in 1821 of assaulting a James Wooster, who was described as a "tythingman" of Chepping Wycombe.

Was this the same James Wooster who had two pigs stolen from his custody in 1817? He appears to have had some official status.

Also was he the same James Wooster who was involved in the conviction of a John Wooster who stole two ducks in 1829?

Is there a possibility that he could have been the James Wooster - constable of Bradley (or Bradenham?) in the story below?

James Wooster described as the Constable of Bradley in the Windsor and Eton Journal.

He was involved in a case with a stolen bill hook. The case centres around West Wycombe so where is Bradley and have they mistaken it for Bradenham?

Also who is this James Wooster? There are several candidates on the tree.

Could he be the James Wooster - Tythingman in the story above?

Could this be John Bailey Wooster. There is no age given, but it looks like his accomplice was 15, the same age as John Bailey Wooster would have been in 1829.

Marjorie seems to have made multiple journeys from England to North America, appearing on several incoming and outgoing passenger lists between 1923 and 1927. Summary of Journeys.
From the immigration documents it would seem that her DOB is around November 1902, and she was born at Capel in Surrey.
She sometimes travelled under her maiden name Marjorie Slade, and sometimes as Marjorie Wooster, which we believe to be her married name, sometimes saying she was single, sometimes married. Her residence, or intended future residence varied between England and the USA.
She usually travelled first class and never stated an occupation, other than housewife a couple of times.
We believe she was married to a Wooster in the USA since there are no Wooster-Slade marriages at the appropriate time in the UK.
On 19 Feb 1927 she married Dayton Trubee in Manhatton, New York. She married under the name Wooster and was divorced.
Do you know which Wooster she married and therefore how she links to the GWT?

Does anybody recognise this Wooster family?

New Arrival Newspaper Article Victor Harbour Times (SA : 1932 - 1986) Wed 6 May 1981 Mrs. Peter Ballard (nee Wooster), of Goolwa, with daughter Kelly Rebecca born at the South Coast District Hospital on 22nd April and weighing 3.23kg.

These are relatives of the New Zealand branch of the Wooster Family Group at St Lawrence in West Wycombe on a visit to the UK. They discovered the grave of a Henry Wooster. There are three possibilities, but it would seem the most likely one is the infant son of John Wooster and Elizabeth Hawes.
Is this a family grave, on which the other inscriptions are no longer visible? If not, why such a large grave for an infant? Or is it a different Henry Wooster?

From Judy Loukides.

I found your website with the Great Wooster Tree, but couldn't find my ancestor on it. David is my 4th great-grandfather, and I've been searching for his lineage for 3 years. Ancestry.com has nothing about him. The Vinalhaven, Maine and North Haven, Maine historical societies have nothing except a photo of his grave and some census records that only list his name and the number of people in his household.

I have fairly reliable information that he was born at Cheddington (possibly as early as 1732), and baptized in 1735 at High Wycombe. The story I found said his parents died when he was a boy and he emigrated to America with an uncle in 1744, settling first in Massachusetts, then Maine. He married, at Falmouth, Maine around 1758, Lucy Crockett, with whom he had 7 children. I don't know when they came to North Haven, Maine. David's gravestone in North Haven states that he was born 22 February 1732 in Chester, Cheshire, England. But another descendant hired a researcher in the UK who was not able to find a record anywhere in Cheshire for anyone named Wooster (alternate spellings also checked) born any time near 1732. He did find a record at High Wycombe with the information above, and there was only one David. But we still can't prove that he's "our" David until we find more information.

If you know anything about him, or if you know of some more resources I could check, would you please let me know? I'm at a complete impasse, and any new information would be greatly appreciated.

David's tree can now be found here

Judy Loukides (judyloukides@gmail.com)

Could this be the Amelia Worster on our tree? It seems unlikely as she would have been only seven at the time.
But if not, then who is she?

Susan Wooster was born in 1622 in Stoke Goldington in Buckinghamshire. Christened on 3rd March 1622.
Her tree is on the Some Fabulous Pedigrees website. However, the link to Robert Wooster and Katherine Harris would appear to be incorrect. That family were from High Wycombe and their daughter Susan was born in 1623.
Does anybody know how the Stoke Goldington family connect with the GWT?

Old Bailey Proceedings, 25th October 1827.

2006. MARY HAROLD was indicted for breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Thomas Wooster , on the 2d of October , and stealing 1 bonnet, value 5s., and 1 shawl, value 3s., the goods of Martha Wainwright.
MARTHA WAINWRIGHT. I am single, and live at Thomas Wooster's, in Warwick Place, White-cross-street, St. Lukes; he is a costermonger. On the 2d of October I went with him and his wife to Croydon fair - I saw him fasten the door; he put his hand through the window, and fastened the bolt; any body outside could push it back - I left my bonnet and shawl in a box under the bed; we lived in an adjoining room; we returned from the fair together on the Friday following - I found the door had been unfastened, but fastened again; it was bolted as we had left it, but must have been opened, as the bonnet and shawl were gone; the prisoner lived in the same court - I have since seen my bonnet in Cochran's possession (looking at it); this is it - I bought it last Whitsuntide, but had only worn it half a dozen times; the ribbon which is now on it is not mine; this strange bonnet was left in the room.
ELIZABETH WOOSTER . I am the wife of Thomas Wooster; we went to the fair with Wainwright - I saw my husband fasten the door; when we returned it appeared the same as we had left it, but the bonnet and shawl were gone.
MARGARET COCHRAN. I am married, and live in Brackley-street. On the 2d of October, I met the prisoner; she said she was locked out, and asked where she could leave this bonnet to pay for her lodging till the next morning - I gave the bonnet to Mrs. Collet for a lodging for her.
SUSANNAH COLLET. Cochran delivered me this bonnet, on the 2d of October. I kept it in my possession till Bridges, the officer, came, and then gave it to him.
SAMUEL BRIDGES. I received the bonnet from Collet.
The prisoner put in a written defence, stating that the prosecutrix had lent her a bonnet, which being very old, she had exchanged this one for, and that Cochran had persuaded her to borrow 1s. upon it, and she intended to return it. She received a very good character.
NOT GUILTY.

Full Article

Does anybody have any idea who this Thomas Wooster is? There would appear to be a number of candidates.

City of London Coroners: Coroners' Inquests into Suspicious Deaths.
Can anyone fully decipher this? For full article see: LondonLives
It appears that George Worster was a child who died in suspicious circumstances, possibly falling out of a window.
And can anybody fit him into any of our trees?

George Williams was convicted of theft of a paletot in Aylesbury in 1850. Thomas Wooster was a witness. Do we know who this Thomas Wooster is?

Sergeant George Wooster presenting evidence at the Central Criminal Court in an attempted murder trial.

Who is he? There is a Geo. Wooster on the 1851 census (Registration district: West London, Sub-registration district: West London South, ED: 7c, Household schedule number: 113, Piece: 1527, Folio: 364, Page 34) who would fit, and he was born ca. 1821 in Bucks, but no further detail.

Who is the Joseph Wooster convicted of stealing coal in 1848 and given six weeks hard labour?

On the same day, James Wooster of Chepping Wycombe was convicted of assault.

Arthur Wooster of Putney fined for a breach of the lighting regulations.

Do we know which Arthur this is?

Thomas Worster was named in the will of Sibell Brudenell in Stoke Mandeville: Will

Likewise, Goodman and Robert Woster were named in the will of William Mortimer: Will

None of these people are known to us. Can you help?

Photograph taken in Cairo during WW1. There is no AIF or NZEF connection so we think he may be British, and we now believe there is a strong possibility he is Sergeant George Alfred Wooster of the Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He is the right sort of age, but there is some doubt about whether or not the Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry operated in Egypt.

Photo found on the Nelson Museum website. We believe this man is related to "Miss Wooster" photographed in the same collection (Tyree Studio) and could possibly be her father Joseph (1857-1934), or maybe one of her older brothers Joseph Arthur Wooster or John Francis Wooster. Do you know who this is?

Photo found on Nelson Museum website titled "Miss Wooster" with no other information given. We think the photo was most likely taken in the 1910's and is very likely to be from the south island. The most likely candidate would therefore be Ada Mary Wooster (1893-1975). Her younger sister Edith Pestell Wooster (1897-1957) cannot be discounted though. Their niece says the photo reminds her of Ada. Can anyone confirm that this is Ada (or Edith) or is it someone completely different. We think the man in the same museum collection "Mr Wooster" is also related (possibly an older brother or father). Both photos were taken at the Tyree Studio in Nelson

Probably a Wooster wedding taken in Harrow, UK. ca. 1898. The gentleman second from right at the back is Harold Wooster (1877-1955) and the groom has a strong family resemblance. Can anybody name any of the other people on the photo?

William and Elizabeth and their family. William is seated at the centre, and Elizabeth is standing behind him and to his right as we look. Next to her (right as we look) is Bess Monro and at the end on the right is Herbert Leopold Wooster. Second from the left is Francis Edward Wooster and third left, his wife Kate Augusta Eaton. The other men are likely to be the sons and sons-in-law of William and Elizabeth. Comparison with other photos suggests that the man on the far left and second right as we look are likely to be Albert Augustus and Horace Theodore, and the man laying on the floor at the front looks most like Frederick William. We think the lady next to Elizabeth on the left as we look is probably Alice Kate Snook (Frederick William's wife). The other ladies are almost certainly unidentified daughters-in-law and Beatrice Ann Wooster, William and Elizabeth's only surviving daughter. Photo from the State Library of Queensland

We believe Herbert Leopold Wooster and his family owned Wooster's Cafe in nearby Murgon, but did they own the one in Kilkivan too? Or was this one owned/run by one of his siblings?

Unidentified photos from Mary's album. Are they Mary's family? Could some of them be Woosters? The two families were quite close. Written on the back of the one of the man at the gate is 'For (?) Frank wishing you a happy xmas and a bright & prosperous new year '

Photos of unknown people believed to be Woosters or closely connected. Photo 1 appears to be taken in Sydney between 1883 and 1891 (when William Nutting Tuttle had a studio there).

This photo was found in the Nabiac Wooster collection in New South Wales, Australia. She must be connected to the family of Henry Featherstonhaugh Wooster and Henrietta Rose Brandon for the photo to end up there. The photography studio in Peckham was in existence from 1884 to 1901 and so she must be part of the family who stayed behind in the UK. The most likely candidates are Eliza Babbs, wife of Samuel Wooster or her daughter-in-law Amelia Rose Pickard.

This photo was found in the Nabiac Wooster collection in New South Wales, Australia. As with the previous photo, he must be connected to Henry Featherstonhaugh Wooster and Henrietta Rose Brandon. In this case the studio name isn't legible but the address was a private address from 1892 onwards. As such it would seem likely that the young man in question is Henry Samuel Thomas Wooster.

Some of these are thought to be the sons of Peter Wooster (b. 1854) and Emily Payne.

Can anybody identify any of them?

Henry Worster by and published by John Smith, after Thomas Murray mezzotint, 1690.

National Portrait Gallery

What we know:

1695 Henry Worster, buried at St Faith's, 24 May 1694-5, from St Matthew Friday St. His father: Hy. Worster, mercer, p. St. Fayth, Ldn - 1656 marr Elizabeth Webb at South Mimms, Herts; 1673 Henry listed as citizen + draper - a master. Abode (?) 7 stars Paternoster Row, Spread Eagle; Com Gen Index IV 246 wife Elizabeth; Orphans 8; Died 1682 Buried at S Faiths; Will 1692 Pcc 18 Coker of widow Elizabeth; Children - Henry, Thomas, Anna. Burials at S. Faiths: 1682 Henry (senior); 1695 Henry; 1697 Thomas.

Probably the son of Henry Worster (born Dinton, Bucks; marr Eizabeth Webb of South Mimms), lived in London.

This is the wedding photo of Frederick Arthur Wooster (1888-1971) and Amy Maria Hewett (1889-1973) on 09 Nov 1914 at the parish church, Hoddesdon, UK. Frederick's parents (Aaron Wooster & Emily Alice Wheeler) are sitting second and third right from Frederick as we look. Do you recognise anybody else on the photo? The man at the back is thought to be John Wigginton Wooster. The lady sitting next to the groom is his sister Ada (b. 1892).

The lady in the photo is unknown and the man is thought to be Frank Wooster (b. 1883).

The wedding took place on Christmas day 1935 in Alperton, near Wembley and many of the people on there are unknown. Can you help?

An unknown Wooster family, possibly from the Hoddesdon area

An unknown Wooster Wedding

Believed to be a Wooster family from Colne, Lancashire. Can anybody recognise them?

Believed to be taken in Nelson/Colne, Lancashire. We think the man at the back on the right is Greaves Shaw (husband of Bertha Wooster). The others are thought to be Wooster siblings/spouses. Any ideas?