These pages contain details of one of the many strands of the Shead family that seems to be concentrated in the Essex area of the UK, though many families with the same (or similar) surnames can be found elsewhere in the UK, and overseas. A modern map of this area is attached (it will open in a new browser window). Most of the family record is centred around Felsted (generally called Felstead in the early records).

Unfortunately these pages have not been updated for a while, but I now have the time (commencing December 2009) to do more work, and expect to be able to provide more information over the next few months.

If you would like to be notified when the site is updated, please subscribe to the e-mail list by clicking on the button, and entering your email address and name.

Introduction to the Web Site

During my researches I have been delighted to 'rediscover' my aunt Elsie Hart (now 91) and my first cousins Graham Hart and Alan Shead. Recently through Genes Re-united I have been able to get into touch with a previously unknown second cousin Eileen van der Wilk, who has been able to help me uncover the family of a 'lost' uncle Albert, whose existence was never mentioned to me by my father (his brother)!

The early record was researched by my Cousin Graham Hart, who has kindly allowed me to use it. The record also includes the descendants of Daniel Shead (b1842) down to Charles Digby living in New Zealand and who, with his wife Margaret, have also made a considerable contribution to the information on this web site.

All the records linked below are drawn from the same database. Apart from 'Shead' other family names well represented include Green, Blandy, Layton, Livermore, Nicholls, Fuller, Corkindale, Pearson, Mobberly and Morris.

The Livermore family is connected through Emma Livermore nee Fuller (b1843) whose second marriage was to Thomas Shead (1878). Andrew Snelling has kindly provided a lot of information, and the Livermore family tree is included as a separate record.

The Livermore family is connected through Emma Livermore nee Fuller (b1843) whose second marriage was to Thomas Shead (1878). Andrew Snelling has kindly provided a lot of information, and the Livermore family tree is included as a separate record.

Sources of Information

Apart from my personal contacts noted above, the information in these records has been drawn from Ancestry, Genes Reunited and the Essex Record Office.

Please note that not all of the record has been well verified. I believe it to be accurate, but work continues on obtaining documentary evidence in some cases. Contact me if you wish for more information on individuals in the family records.

The records shown in this web site are:

• The descendants, to the current date, of John Shade born in approximately 1730 most probably in Rayne (normally spelt Raine in the early records) in Essex.
• The descendants of William Nicholls born 1719 in Sedgley, Staffordshire.
• The descendants of John Makorkendall born 1698 in Worcestershire.
• The ancestors of my grandson Jack Oliver Cross, currently the youngest member of the dynasty as far as I am aware.
• The ancestors of Billy Shead, grandson of my first cousin Alan Shead.
• The descendants of Joseph Livermore born 1807.

The complete gedcom file (right click to download) for the family database to date is included if required.

I anticipate that there will be errors in the record !. Images of the supporting information (photographs, certificates etc.) will be included eventually; where this is permitted.

If you would like to correspond about Shead family history generally, please .

Colin Shead

Updated 1st January 2010