The search for details of this line of Applebys began in Canada, with a request from Heather who was trying to discover more about her grandfather Frederick Appleby. All she knew was that he was born in London and that his mother was Harriet Pace and his father's surname was Appleby.

Frederick was put on a ship at a very young age where he worked until he was about 17. He jumped ship in Canada and did not tell anyone his name for a few years, as he was scared they would make him go back on the ship. Frederick married Ellen Walton, who was sent over to Canada when she was about 6 years old after her mother died and her father and brother could no longer care for her (probably under the 'Home Children' scheme?). All Heather knew was that her family was descended from two people who had a hard start in life!

We have since made quite a few discoveries ... the biggest of which was that Frederick's father (George) Frederick Appleby (born in 1862 in St Pancras) was actually christened with the surname Jerkins in St Pancras Workhouse. However, it looks pretty likely that his father was in fact George Frederick Appleby, musician, because not only were he and his mother Emily Ann Jerkins living with George Frederick in the 1871 census, but in 1874 she died with the surname Appleby and in the 1881 census Fred was living with G F Appleby as his son.

This line probably originates in Somerset, as George the musician's grandfather - John Appleby - gave his birthplace as Yeovil or Yatton in Somerset in the 1851 census.