The History of the BRODDLE  Family

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Research has shown that the family name, as we now know it, originates from BRODWELL. In 1560-70 there was a Roberti BRODWELL with a family in Barrow upon Humber, Lincolnshire. The family developed and members are found in East Halton in 1622, in Woolsthorpe in 1660 and in 1691 in Gayton le Marsh. The spelling of the name is consistent in records until 1767, when James BRODWELL, who married Eleoner had two of their children ; John and Christopher, baptised as BRODDLE. This change was not permanent for in 1780 Thomas BRODWELL and Rabakah DAWSON had children baptised in Telford as BRODDEL;  BRODEL and  BRODDELL. There are also occasions of the name being spelled as BRODLEY and BROADLEY.

Variations in the spellings of names is not unusual in times past and was occasioned by the inability of the majority of people to be able to read and write. The persons creating the records to which we now refer, were in the main , Ministers of the church entering details of baptism's , deaths and marriages. They recorded the name as it sounded and were influenced by local accents. There are many instances where a family name appears under a different spelling in the same Parish , simply because there had been a change of Minister. This does not help when  trying to link together family members. It is made even worse where, as in the case of our relatives, their occupation as agricultural  labourers, often involved their moving employment to another area on a yearly basis , resulting in all the family members being recorded in different places. Add to this the fact that many persons appear under different names - sometimes for ulterior motives - throughout their lives , and you realize how  frustrating this family research can become!. Remember too, there was no law preventing you from changing your name then or now.

It appears that Gayton le Marsh in Lincolnshire is the place to which we are able to trace the majority of our relatives. The name means ' A farmstead in the marsh where goats are kept'. Gayton stems from 'Geiton' old Scandinavian ( the language of the Vikings, a combination of old Danish and old Norse), perhaps this is where the family originates from?. The Broddle family were regular worshipers at St Georges Parish Church, Gayton le Marsh and on 23 April 1778 the Widows FROW and BRODDLE were allotted seat number 23 by Steph Fytche the then Rector.  

The American side of our family stems from two brothers. James and Luke Shaw BRODDLE, who were born in Gayton le Marsh, Lincolnshire, England. Luke Shaw  may have travelled to the USA in 1866, and returned  to marry Mary MOORE at Ludford, Lincolnshire in January 1868. They travelled to the USA on the Steamer ' City of Boston ' sailing from Liverpool to New York arriving on 26th February 1868. Also on the voyage was Mary's brother James. Their first child Ann, Elizabeth BRODDLE was born in Maywood, Illinois on 11 July 1868. Additional information about the voyage and passengers may be seen at: http://www.immigrantships.net . James BRODDLE was in DeSoto on 2nd August 1858 when he declared his intention to become a United States citizen. He must have returned to the UK to marry Fanny, Ann JACKSON in March of 1866 .Their first child Laura, Sophia BRODDLE was born in Lincolnshire on 1 February 1868. Their second known child  Thomas C. BRODDLE was born in 1875 in Illinois. The 1870 US Census revealed that their mother Sophia BRODDLE was living with James and his family in Cook County, Illinois. Thus far the details and dates that James , Fanny and Sophia travelled have not been found.