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The Wadhams were one of the most prolific families from the Medway towns of Chatham, Rochester and Strood in Kent in the 19th century and were prominent amongst the local community of fishermen and watermen on the River Medway at that time.

The founders of this  great family tree were Richard Wadhams and Ann Polton who married at St.Nicholas', Rochester, in 1791 (see image below)  and had a total of 8 children, 36 grandchildren and 88 great-grandchildren during their own lifetime!

Below is a table in alphabetical order showing all currently-known members of the Wadhams families from about 1768 to 2007 whose ancestry can be traced back to Richard Wadhams and Ann Polton. This list is constantly revised as further  details are discovered. If you are interested in learning more about these families,  including the many descendants from the female lines, please contact me. 

I also have a comprehensive listing of GRO Index references for these Wadhams  births, marriages and deaths. If anyone wishes to obtain copies of these certificates, I will be happy to provide the requisite index references. If anyone has anything further to contribute to this website, I will always be delighted to hear from them!

HELP WANTED!

Despite my very best efforts during the past few years, I have been unable to trace our Wadhams ancestry back prior to Richard Wadhams (born abt.1764). As I have now completely exhausted the research resources available to me here in Western Australia, I am asking that any interested persons who may have access to any of the local parish records or other archival material relating to the Medway area contact me with a view to helping with this ongoing project.

FIRST FISHERWOMAN ON THE MEDWAY!

A 14-year-old girl from Kent has become the first female to be allowed to fish commercially on the River Medway.

Robyn Wadhams, from Rochester, has just started a seven year apprenticeship with the 550-year-old Rochester Oyster and Floating Fishery.

Robyn said: "This is something I have always wanted to do... it's been a family tradition as my surname has been on the river for years."
 

Ancient laws specify that only fishermen who carry out an apprenticeship with the Rochester Oyster and Floating Fishery are allowed to fish along the Medway, between Sheerness and Hawk-wood Stone near Snodland.

Please note: some entries are under the surname of "Wadham" rather than the more usual form of "Wadhams". These are not typographical errors! Certain branches of the family that moved away from the Medway area appeared to have adopted the shortened form of the name over a period of time. 

© The information displayed below in its particular format is the intellectual property of the author, and is not to be republished or otherwise used for commercial purposes without the express permission of the author.

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I am progressively incorporating the names below into one comprehensive family tree showing all the currently known Wadhams family relationships. The current results may be viewed by clicking below: