Re: Batham Surname

Dear George

I am convinced that all bearers of the name Batham are the same family. The name is very rare, and, as I think I mentioned on Genforum, occurs only in the London area and in the Midlands (apart from 'recent' migrations).

In fact, I think the Midlands family (from which I, and many others, descend, originates in London: 'my' family first appears in Wolverhampton in the early 1600's, with 3 families baptising children (presumably brothers who have moved into the town at the same time - there are no Bathams before this) - and a little while later is buried a Henry Batham, who I presume to be their father. Two of the families died out very quickly, but one descendant moved, a short time later, to Old Swinford, and it is from him that all Bathams in the Midlands descend (and also many in Kansas, California, Australia etc.) The Henry Batham I think may possibly be the one on the IGI who married Grace Goffe (Gough) in the 1590's in London, thus connecting the two families.

I note you are in contact with a family in Australia descended from William Batham/ Honor Skelding. (Is this Joan Batham?) - this is the same family as mine: William was born in Brierley Hill, Staffs., my ancestor was, if I remember correctly, his aunt. Incidentally, you will find no baptism record for William, but the connection is confirmed (two hundred + years later!) by information recorded by his son, or grandson (am writing from memory), James (former Mayor of Kidderminster, Worcs.) giving precise details of his ancestry back to Benjamin Batham and (I think, from memory! Jane Phibbs - another rare name: curious that it occurs in the same small town of Brierley Hill).

Steve