FT 251 Notes

A rare example of a family originating in a part of England not normally associated with this family.  It is possible that the original name was not Scammel but has migrated to that form.

Originally identified in the 1881 Census but they could not be traced on the 1901 index under the same surname.  They were however found under the spelling 'Diamond' the actual copy of the schedule however shows the name Scammel.  Though searches have been undertaken in the 1851 to 1871 Censures, the earliest reference to this family is a birth registered in 1880.

The head of the family Richard Beauchamp Scammell (c 1843 – 1919) is stated, from the 1881 Census onwards as being born in March Cambridgeshire which is in the Registration District of Witchford, no member of the Scammell Family (or its variants) birth is recorded in this district in the 1840s.

Richard’s eldest son, also Richard, birth was registered in 1880 and overtime the middle name Beauchamp was been used in some records as a middle name for a number of sons and in one occasion a daughter.

It has been proposed by a descendent that the family is not genetically a Scammell family but one that adopted the name Scammell and a highly probable case can be made for this assumption.

Prior to the 1870s, there was no legal requirement to register a birth that could explain the lack of registration yet searches undertaken in the 1851 to 1871 Censures for an individual named ‘Richard’ born circa 1844 in March Cambridgeshire did find one person that match that criteria, a Richard Beecham born circa 1843 March.

A Richard Beecham’s birth was registered in the December quarter 1845 in the Witchford Registration District.

By 1871 Richard was married, his wife was Mary Ann born in Warminster, and her maiden name was ‘Scammell’.  She died in 1871 and it is proposed that Richard added her maiden name to his and assume the name Richard Beauchamp Scammell.

In 1871 Richard and Mary had no children, which might have provided a bridge between the two names.

Beecham/Beauchamp is not dissimilar when spoken but obvious as a written word but the spelling of Beauchamp, a more fashionable name, could have been adopted simply for that reason.

Sources - Supplied on request

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