The Ghost of Marcus Astle

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Attack of the swans

Over the past few years Dad has done some extensive genealogical research of the Astle family tree. He has traced it back to what ship the Astles arrived into NZ and then even further back to a town in Derbyshire called Draycott. Mum, Dad and Todd visited the town a few years ago and made some contacts who lent us a key to the local church, St Chad’s.

Before going in we had a feed by the nearby lake. The recent flooding in the area could be seen with water lines well back and the park benches still half under water. Make sure you check out the video of Mum being attacked by the killer swans.

The church has a scattering of Astle headstones, some hidden deep amongst trees and shrubs, others covered with giant slugs and toads (sounds like a pub).

Rumour has it that the Church is haunted by the ghost of Marcus Astle. We didn’t manage to spot him, but we did see the Astle window and the Astle pew.

Other things we saw were the baptising font in the church which is apparently the second oldest in England. And while looking through one of the rooms I spotted a small door leading to the tower, it was hidden behind a bunch of candle holders and tables. We searched the church high and low for matches to light a candle, before realizing there was a light switch (a candle would have been cooler though). We ascended the cobweb ridden tight spiral staircase to the bell tower and then shimmied up a ladder, unlatched a hatch and found ourselves out on the roof. Just as I had hopped out onto the roof my phone rang, it was rather bizarre explaining to my friend Trish from London what I was up to, it felt like something out of the Da Vinci code.

After a good look around, we had to leave surprise, surprise because of a sudden downpour.

* I forgot to mention that earlier in the day while collecting the key to the church, Dad and I were sitting in the car with the windows down when an old lady walked passed with her bike. She gasped a loud sigh, getting Dad and I’s attention and then said “F*ck me it’s hot”. Dad and I were stunned for a few seconds then cracked up laughing. I wonder if she is part of the Astle clan?

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Photos

Draycott - Swans
You can see how high the water level is here from recent flooding

Fitchett Headstone
Maybe Fitch's great great great great great great great grandfather and mine were mates

Astle Headstones
One of these is Marcus Astles who apparently haunts the church

Comments

[Nellie Astle-Hulsman]

William Astle
Wondering if your from Williams line, came over in the 1800s with the Parkhurst boys...My grandfather is Tukarawa Astle son of Thomas who is Williams son..have been trying to trace back on Williams side but have had heaps of unanswered emails. Anyway pls get back to me even if it isnt just so i know to move on lol.Thanks

[rastle]

Family tree status
Hi my Dad checked and emailed this back to me: we are not connected to them, but their William arrived in NZ in the same year as ours, and initially I thought their William had to be ours. Their William was a juvenile criminal who had committed some petty crime and his sentence was to be transported to NZ. Hope this helps and you aren't shocked to hear you have a petty criminal in the family! Cheers Ryan

[Ann Wilkinson]

Nellie!! Where are you?
Hi Nellie - my name is Ann Wilkinsona nd you studied with us in 2008. I was just wondering where you are as I have some news for you - also I was wondering about the Kohanga reo - is it still on? Please call me at VICSEG - 03 9383 2533 and let me know your new numbers or, if indeed, you are in Australia. Annie

[Antoinette Baker]

Astle connection
I was very interested to read your Astle research. I, like Nellie, am descended from Williams Astle the boy convict who came out from Parkhurst in 1840-- my great grandmother was one of his daughters, Elizabeth Mary who married Edwin Roden a horse trainer. They moved to Christchurch. I am trying to find out whether it is correct that William Astle married Rewi Maniapoto's sister Ani Maniapoto. This won't help you (unless it connects way back in England) but I would be keen to connect with Nellie.

[Hayward Astle Norman]

Thomas Astle
I'm a descendent of William Astle who married Ani Maniapoto. Their son Thomas (Tamati) married my great great grandmother Te Kono Te Aho. Her son Charles Papara Astle lived at Matakana, Warkworth. I'm keen to connect with Nellie and Antoinette. I was in England last October and managed to get to Rugby where my ancestor John Norman came from. I wonder where our William came from? Cheers.

[Matt]

Astle clan
I moved into the area of Sawley a few years ago never realising my family traced back to Wilne and Draycott so close by. My line takes in Hiram, Henry then John Astle I think. Just found it interesting that part of the Astle name moved to NZ? I’ve visited the church a few times and seen the Astle graves but don’t think they’re related to my Astles