The parish of Isleham lies on the eastern edge of Cambridgeshire, about 13 km. (8 miles) north of Newmarket. Covering 2,116 ha. (5,230 a.) within an irregular triangle almost six miles long from north to south, it is separated from Suffolk on the north-east by the river Lark, further south towards Freckenham (Suff.), with which it formed, probably until 1837 × 1852 a peculiar of the diocese of Rochester, by the Lee brook, a tributary of that river, and ancient field boundaries.
I am Duncan Michael Rumbelow although on my Facebook profile is (Duncan Michael). I live just outside Norwich in Taverham which is only a few miles from Earlham Road and also the UEA.
I served as a Police Officer for 30 years in Essex and Norfolk and retired from the Police in 2023, I am now a professional football coach.
I have 2 children Luke and Ben Rumbelow, pictured with my father Michael Charles Rumbelow.
My grandad was William James Rumbelow (1904-1986). William worked in Cambridge as a coal merchant hence the pictures of his Coal Wagon. I couldn't believe it when Hornby produced a model of one of his coal plank wagons.
There were 2 Rumbelow families in Cambridge both coal merchants, one was Rumbelow and Sons and the other WJ Rumbelow (my grandfather) the families were related, I believe they were cousins.
My grandfather passed his coal merchant business onto his oldest son Derek William George Rumbelow, this would have been in the 1970’s I believe. Derek ran the business for a few years before retiring from the business.
My father Michael Charles Rumbelow didn’t work for the Business as he had a very successful career for Barclays Bank.
William James Rumbelow married Florence May Bishop and they had 3 children, Derek William George, Joy and Michael Charles Rumbelow (b 1941) my father.
Michael Charles Rumbelow then married Olwen Ann Tillson and they had 3 children, Duncan Michael (me), Stephen James, and Claire Louise Rumbelow.
I have established that my Grandads father was also called William James Rumbelow (1878-1962). I believe his father was James Rumbelow (1850-1909) and he was born in Isleham.
His father was John (Parson) Rumbelow (1817-1892) also born and buried in Isleham, his father was Robert Rumbelow (1779-1854), I can then see a few generations of Robert Rumbelow all linked to Isleham.
In relation to James Rumbelow (1849-1909), he did marry Harriett Witt Brittain and they had 9 children, 1 of which was William James Rumbelow (1904-1962), this was my great grandfather.
William James Rumbelow then married Florence May Bishop, I believe they had 8 children, 1 of which was William James Rumbelow (1904-1986), this was my grandfather.
I hope this gives you some more info, I'm happy for you to share anything that I send you.
Many thanks
Duncan.
William James Rumbelow and this was his coal wagon
Below is a picture of Ben, Luke and his partner Katy and me and my partner Zoe.
I have 2 children Luke and Ben Rumbelow, picture below with my father Michael Charles Rumbelow, Luke is left in the picture and Ben right.
I visited Isleham church and found a record book in the church which showed burials and baptisms going back to the 1500's.
I took pictures which I still have of most of the pages, if there are certain dates you don't have I can send you any pictures I have of the pages.
I also found a list at the church of which Rumbelows have gravestones and a map of their locations.
I got very confused when I visited Isleham Church as there were so many Rumbelows and so many with the name Robert Rumbelow.
I can be fairly certain of is my grandad William James Rumbelow married Florence May Bishop and William's Father was also William James (1878-1962).
His Father was James (1850-1909) who married Harriet Witt Brittain.
I then find records of a Parson Rumbelow (1817-1892) from the records I found at Isleham I think he was actually born John Rumbelow but as his mother was Sarah Parson (1785-1861) he took part of her name as there are records of a Parson Rumbelow.
I then find 3 generations of Robert Rumbelow's , James Rumbelow, John (Parson) Rumbelow and the 3 generations of Robert are all connected to Isleham.
I know from my previous visit to Isleham church there were paper records of burials and baptisms with a grave plan all bound in books inside the church.
I've attached the copies I've got of the Graves I found, there's a plan (Grave Plan) this shows the location of the 9 Rumbelow graves within the churchyard.
Also a Grave List that list's the grave numbers for the Rumbelow's that corresponds with the Grave Plan.
There are also pictures of graves 19, 38,39,40,41, 154,155, and 157.
Grave 156 isn't there but I think its just a broken headstone I found on the floor and you can't make any details out.
I'm happy for your to share anything I find with Matt and anyone else.
I'm more than happy to help with research if I can.
Many thanks
Duncan
John Rumbelow (r.1691-, Isleham, Cambridgeshire, England u.1745) married Sarah (u.1758). John and Sarah were parents to Samuel.
Samuel Rumbelow married Mary Macer (r.1722-, Coveney, Cambridgeshire, England m. 1755), and were parents to 4 children.
Susanna Rumbelow (r.1752-, Isleham, Cambridgeshire, England)
Samuel Rumbelow (r.1756-, Isleham, Cambridgeshire, England u.1836)
Robert Rumbelow (r.1761-, Isleham, Cambridgeshire, England)
Mary Rumbelow (r.1764-, Isleham, Cambridgeshire, England)
Susanna married John Gilby (m. 1786).
They had 4 children.
Ann Gilby (b.1781-Reed, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire, England) married Edward Moule (m. 1802)
James Gilby (b.1782-Reed, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire, England)
Edward Gilby (b.1786-Reed, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire, England)
Michael Gilby (b.1789-Reed, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire, England) married Grace Bysouth (b.Abt 1800-Reed, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire, England m. 1821). They had 7 children.
Hannah Gilby (b.Abt 1822- Reed, Hertfordshire, England d.1902) married Samuel Bysouth (b.Abt 1813-, Enfield, Middlesex, England m. 1839)
George Gilby (b.Abt 1824- Reed, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire, England d.1901) married Rebecca Fardle (b.Abt 1827-Therfield, Royston, Hertfordshire, England m. 1846 d.1897)
Ann Gilby (b.Abt 1827- Reed, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire, England) married William Fardell (b.Abt 1825 m. 1851)
Edward Gilby (b.Abt 1830- Reed, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire, England) married Ann Dellow (b.Abt 1831-Reed, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire, England m. 1851)
Mary Gilby (b.Abt 1833- Reed, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire, England)
Hester Gilby (b.Abt 1836- Reed, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire, England d.1919) married George Gilbey (b.Abt 1833- Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, England)
William Gilby (b.Abt 1839 d.Aft 1861) married Sarah Jane Elliott (b.Abt 1837-Limehouse, Bromley, London, England m. 1858 d.Aft 1861)
Elizabeth Gilby (b.1793-Reed, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire, England) married William Smith (b.Abt 1785-Reed, Nr Royston, Hertfordshire, England m. 1815)
Samuel Rumbelow (r.1756-, Isleham, Cambridgeshire, England u.1836) married Sarah Neale (r.1756-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England m. 1776 u.1829).
They had a son Robert Rumbelow (r.1776-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England d.1854).
Robert Rumbelow (r.1776-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England d.1854) married Sarah Maling (r.1777-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England m. 1797 d.1846).
They had 10 children.
Ann Rumbelow (r.1801-, Isleham, Cambridgeshire, England)
John Rumbelow (r.1802-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England d.1878) married Margaret Leonard (b.Abt 1805 m. 1821 u.1824)
John then married Anne Taylor (b.Abt 1806-West Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England m. 1824)
Mary Ann Rumbelow (r.1802-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England d.1873) married Mark Last (r.1793-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England m. 1820 u.1836)
She then married William Stockings (b.Abt 1800-, Bildeston, Suffolk, England m. 1841 d.1867)
Joseph Rumbelow (r.1807-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England d.1874) married Jane Woolley (b.1808-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England m. 1825 u.1827).
He then married Alice Taylor (b.Abt 1806 m. 1829 d.1845)
He then married Susan Slapp (b.Abt 1817-, Lyn Ford, Norfolk, England m. 1849)
Samuel Rumbelow (r.1807-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England d.Abt 1831/2) married Sarah Parsons (r.1809-, Isleham, Cambridgeshire, England m. 1828 d.1874)
Malen Rumbelow (b.1812-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England d.1889) married Alice Pitches (r.1813-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England m. 1831 d.1890)
Thomas Rumbelow (b.1812-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England d.1889) married Ann Hiner (b.Abt 1811-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England m. 1832 d.1893)
James Rumbelow (r.1814-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England)
Elizabeth Rumbelow (r.1816-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England u.1816)
Sarah Rumbelow (r.1816-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England u.1816)
Samuel Rumbelow (b.1778-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England) married Lucy Pearpoint (m. 1799). They had 4 children.
Susan Rumbelow (r.1801-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England) married John Harvey (m. 1823)
Charlotte Rumbelow (r.1804-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England)
Martha Rumbelow (r.1807-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England)
Lydia Rumbelow (r.1809-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England)
Mary Rumbelow (r.1781-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England) sp: Robert Kent (m. 1812)
Daniel Rumbelow (b.1782-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England u.1783)
Elizabeth Rumbelow (r.1784-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England)
Anne Rumbelow (r.1787-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England d.1881) married John Rolfe (b.1790 m. 1809 d.1858).
They had 8 children.
Robert Rolfe (b.1810-, West Row, Suffolk, England d.1859) married Sarah Ford (b.Abt 1807-, , London, England m. 1829)
Richard Rolfe (b.1812-, West Row, Suffolk, England)
Sarah Rolfe (b.1815-, West Row, Suffolk, England)
Naomi Rolfe (b.1819-, West Row, Suffolk, England d.1885) married Thomas Clarke Jnr (b.Abt 1819-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England m. 1841)
John Rolfe (b.1822-, West Row, Suffolk, England d.1910) married Sarah (b.Abt 1828-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England)
Lewis Rolfe (b.1824-, West Row, Suffolk, England d.1875) married Charlotte Wade (b.1816-, Lawshall, Suffolk, England m. 1843)
Ann Rolfe (b.1827-, West Row, Suffolk, England) married John Phillips (m. 1844)
Samuel Rolfe (b.1832-, West Row, Suffolk, England d.1909) married Sophia Peachey (r.1834-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England m. 1856)
John Rumbelow (r.1791-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England u.1847) married Susan Brown (b.Abt 1792-, Thetford, Norfolk, England m. 1811 u.1865).
They had 8 children,
James Rumbelow (b.Abt 1812 d.1814)
James Rumbelow (r.1817-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England)
Charlotte Rumbelow (r.1818-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England u.1871) married Joseph Parsons (r.1801-, Isleham, Cambridgeshire, England m. 1840 d.Bef 1871)
Sarah Mary Rumbelow (b.1823-West Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England) married Robert Taylor (b.1826-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England m. 1845)
Richard Rumbelow (b.Abt 1825-West Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England d.1904) married Mary Ann Reynolds (b.Abt 1828-, Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk, England m. 1847 d.1916)
Samuel Rumbelow (r.1826-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England)
Rebecca Rumbelow (b.Abt 1831-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England d.1886) married Jacob Hicks (b.Abt 1830-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England m. 1852 d.1893)
Eliza Rumbelow (b.Abt 1834-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England d.1907) married James Bowden (b.Abt 1830-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England m. 1853 d.1924)
James Rumbelow (r.1794-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England)
Susannah Rumbelow (r.1799-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England) married James Secker (m. 1816).
They had 8 children.
Henry Secker (r.1816-St Mary's, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England)
Susan Secker (b.1818 u.1829)
Phoebe Secker (r.1820-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England u.1829)
Rebecca Secker (r.1823-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England u.1829)
James Secker (r.1825-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England d.Bef 1836)
Elizabeth Secker (r.1827-, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England u.1839)
James Secker (r.1836-, Brandon, Suffolk, England)
Elvis Secker (r.1836-, Brandon, Suffolk, England)
Birth 1849 - Isleham, Cambridgeshire, England
Death October 1909 - Cambridge Cambridgeshire England
Father Parson Rumbelow / Mother Mary Ann HARVEY
Born in Isleham Cambridgeshire on 1849 to Parson Rumbelow and Mary Ann HARVEY.
James Rumblow married Harriet Witt Brittian and had 9 children.
He passed away on October 1909 in Cambridge Cambridgeshire England.
Birth 1862 - Isleham, Cambridgeshire, England
Death 1920 - CAMBRIDGE Cambridgeshire
Father Parson Rumbelow / Mother Mary Ann HARVEY
Born in Isleham, Cambridgeshire, England on 1862 to Parson Rumbelow and Mary Ann HARVEY.
William Rumbelow married Sarah Hart. William Rumbelow and Sarah Hart had 5 children.
William Hart Rumbelow 1898 - 1949
Beatrice Mary Rumbelow 1894 -
Nellie K Rumbelow 1896 - 1957
Ethel Gertrude Rumbelow 1904 -
Hilda May Rumbelow 1896 -
Thetford, the major market town of South-western Norfolk, consists of three ancient parishes. Technically St Mary's parish was largely within Suffolk and indeed the church itself, south of the river, was in Suffolk until boundary changes in 1974.
Thetford was the ancient capital of East Anglia long before the cities of Norwich and Ipswich grew to prominence, the town sits on the ancient A11 trunk route and was always a major market for the surrounding area.
10/07/1814 George RUMBELOW, Father Philip RUMBELOW, Occupation Papermaker
02/04/1816 James RUMBELOW, Father Philip RUMBELOW, Occupation Papermaker
31/08/1817 Robert RUMBELOW, Father Philip RUMBELOW, Occupation Papermaker
25/02/1821 James RUMBELOW, Father Philip RUMBELOW, Occupation Papermaker
15/06/1823 Mary Ann RUMBELOW, Father Philip RUMBELOW, Occupation Papermaker
05/09/1829 Sarah Ann RUMBELOW, Father Philip RUMBELOW, Occupation Papermaker
28/04/1839 Mary Elizabeth RUMBELOW, Father George RUMBELOW Occupation Papermaker
19/01/1845 George Booth RUMBELOW Father George RUMBELOW Occupation Papermaker
Albert Edward Rumbelow was born in 1879 in Wycombe Marsh, Buckinghamshire. One of eleven children, his parents were Suffolk-born paper maker Philip Rumbelow and his wife, Jane.