We have traced our branch of the ALDAM family back to John ALDAM born ca 1749. He lived in Belton in the Isle of Axholme on the Lincolnshire/Yorkshire border (map and description by IAFHS). He and several of his descendants were Wrights / Ship Carpenters. Our line is descended from John ALDAM (a roper) and Sarah nee GRAY who moved (via Selby and Louth) to London ca 1860's where they settled at Rotherhithe in Southwark. John and Sarah had 10 children including our ancestor Albert Victor. We are particularly keen to trace all other relatives of this family, including female (non-ALDAM) descendants. An outline of our ALDAM family tree is available here.

Reviewing the early distribution of the surname, it occurs in three very distinct clusters: the ALDUMs of Bisley (Gloucs), the ALDHAMs of Suffolk/Essex and the ALDAMs formerly ALDHAMs of Doncaster/Axholme (Yorks/Lincs/Notts border). It seems likely that the Suffolk/Essex surname is derived from the villages of Aldham in Suffolk and/or Aldham in Essex. However, the surname has been present in the Doncaster area since at least the 14th Century so it seems probable that it has arisen here independently, and careful study of the area just north of Rotherham may well reveal the presence of some place of this name in earlier times.

We are interested in all occurrences of this name, and have built up a great deal of information about other ALDAM/ALDHAMs in the Isle of Axholme and surrounding area, which we are happy to share with other researchers.

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updated: 1 August 2004