Genealogy Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Boards

Quick Search

Single word search

Tools

Findmypast DNA Banner

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

Smuggling in Dorset

Login to Add Reply Watch This
ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

McDitzy

McDitzy Report 12 Apr 2005 22:16

I have an ancestor who I very much suspect was a smuggler. They lived in Portland, Dorset in the early/mid 1700s. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on trying to find out more about them? I've read that he might have gone back and forth from Dorset to Guernsey..... what was so special about Guernsey? Chloe

Joe ex Bexleyheath

Joe ex Bexleyheath Report 13 Apr 2005 00:21

I think I would be surprised if any town/village along the south coast was not involved in smuggling. Guernsey being French/British/French/British ........ until the 20th century would be an island producing their own wines, spirits etc., OR being a black market trading post between France and England. You must remember how close the island is to France and when the Normans invaded the Channel Islands were part of the route used to England from Normandy area.

McDitzy

McDitzy Report 13 Apr 2005 21:50

Thanks Joseph.

McDitzy

McDitzy Report 14 Apr 2005 16:44

Thanks Joy. Will have a look around for it.