Created by Julie Goucher using wordclouds.com March 2020

I have talked previously about researching travellers and Gypsy research, during my Oral History Series, 

On revisiting some notes made about 10 years ago and then verifying those details, I can confirm the Drakeley family who were involved in the fairgrounds, coal merchants and canals of the Midlands, descend from Abraham Drakeley who was the brother of John. I descend from John whose Great Grand daughter, Bethsheba married John Matthews. The link is a fair way back (no pun intended!) and I so wish my Grandmother was here to tell her.

In the course of that research, I have gathered bits and pieces relating to DRAKELEY (DRAKLEY) Fairs. Whilst they did exist, the amount of material available is limited, though I have gathered material about the Fairs in general. The fairgrounds make a fascinating specialised study.

There are a number of useful research materials and sites, and exploring those can give a sense of context to our research. Today I am sharing some of those sites:

• Full catalogue at the National Fairground and Circus Archive
• History of the Fairground
• Researching Fairgrounds and Travelling showman in Surrey
• Fairground Heritage Centre
• Fairground Association of Great Britain
• Romany & Traveller Family History Society
  • Members of the Guild of One-Name Studies members can access a fascinating series of talks from the Unconventional Lives seminar that took place in Winchester in February 2020. Members need to login!
• Celtic Traveller, DNA Project
• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month 2020

Taking part in the A-Z Challenge for 2020