Comments on: Family Ties

By: A Jackson

A Jackson — Sun, 22 May 2011 10:28:05 +0000

My daughter is currently in America, and is going to Niagara Falls at some point in the next couple of weeks, to see, amongst other things the monument left to Capt Mathew Webb. He is a relative of the Jackson family that came to New Zealand – I will try and find out how he is related. As those of you may have read of his feats, these were passed down through our family through parent to children. He was the first to swim the English Channel as recorded, but used breast-stroke, which had been determined to be less strenuous. I believe he was also the first to go over the Niagara Falls in a barrel, and did not die in that event as suggested above, but returned to try and swim the Niagara rapids, a feat believed by many to be impossible.

It is reported that he did manage to get through the rapids but was not able to survive the second stage of the rapids, and met his fate there. I wonder if there is any way for this to be verified, and will ask my daughter to check?

By: kelly marie astle-webb

kelly marie astle-webb — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:59:07 +0000

yeah captain matthew webb was my dads great great great grandfather on my fathers side,he actually was a great risk taker and died whilst going over the niagara falls in a barrel a stunt that resulted in his death

By: Clifford Webb

Clifford Webb — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 10:35:02 +0000

Dear all, i have reason to believe that he was a Family member of mine as well.
As my Great, great grandfather was William Henry Webb. My grandfather left England to immagrate to South Africa. Please contact me, Thanking you Clifford Webb.

By: Kim Laban

Kim Laban — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 11:50:56 +0000

I have been told that Captain Webb was a relative of my grandmother on her side. She was Florence Murray but I haven’t found the connection quite yet.

By: Barbara Carter

Barbara Carter — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:08:45 +0000

Captain Webb was my Great Great Great Grandfather’s Cousin on my mother’s side. A bit distant, but hey, we’re all related….

By: Eddie Caldwell

Eddie Caldwell — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:38:04 +0000

My grandfather (Edwin J Caldwell) lived at Frodsham (1881 & 1891 census) and listed in the household is Harry Webb aged 4, grandson.

Family story was that Matthew Webb was related by marriage and Harry and his mother were part of the Captain Webb family.

There is an association with nearby Runcorn and the Captain Webb bridge.

I realise this is a bit of a long shot but would appreciate any further information.

By: Helen Briggs

Helen Briggs — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 15:34:23 +0000

We’re not related but one of our family stories is that my grandfather Albert Gadsby of Iron Bridge would swim with Capt Webb in The Severn. They once left their clothes on the bridge and someone took them so the two men ran through the town naked.

good luck in your reseach

Helen

By: kelly marie astle-webb

kelly marie astle-webb — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 22:17:13 +0000

yeah my great great grandfather as well

By: marie airey

marie airey — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:00:26 +0000

Captain Matthew Webb was my great great great grandfather on my mothers side. Ive known of our connection since i was a small child. My sister has visited his grave. My mum is researching her family tree it would be nice to know of any relatives we havnt yet learned of.

many thanks

marie airey

By: Katie O'Shaughnessy

Katie O'Shaughnessy — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:53:12 +0000

Hi,

I am also lead to believe he is a great great grand father of mine, i’m not 100% sure how many greats, it’s a grey area, i have just started to look into my family tree and my mother told me this snippet of info. I just hope that this snippet is true because it would be lovely to have a story such as this connected with my family.

Thanks for sharing