Genealogy

From where does the name Wassell originate?

There is no exact information as to where the name Wassell originates. It is believed that the name WASSELL is of Scandinavian origin, and was derived from 'wassailing' (as in, 'here we come a wassailing') or Was-Sails (not sure of correct spelling) the names of the sails on the viking ships. They landed in the north of England and have over time moved southwards.



How am I related to Dr Corydon M Wassell?

John Wassell (born 1681) who married Elizabeth Russen in 1704 had a younger brother, Joseph Wassell (born 1683) who married Eleanor Scriven in 1710. It is from this line that Dr Wassell is descended.

• Motor Cycles were made in Birmingham. Click here
• A Wassell was a coalman in Great Bridge
• A Wassell owned a plastics business in Brierly Hill which my Dad visited when he was very young. He was given an egg cup in the shape of a teddy bear as a present.
• A Wassell road exists in Halesowen.
• Private Samuel Wassall won the Victoria Cross at the battle of Isandlwana during the Zulu wars when he saved another man's life. Click here for information
• Dr Corydon Wassell served as a Naval physician during the second World War based in Java and rescued the lives of twelve wounded men. Click here for information
• On the Stott side of the family, the Rushton's moved to Canada and my Dad remembers getting a letter/postcard informing them that while shooting one day one of their children was accidentally shot when mistaken for a rabbit.
• George Thomas Wassell owned a radio/electrical shop in Dudley Road, West Bromwich.
• There was a man known as Uncle Bob who served in the Navy during the First World War, his ship/submarine was torpedoed or attacked resulting in the sinking of the ship. The weird coincidence was that he was personally rescued by his own brother who was in service on another ship. He gave the greeting 'Hello our kid' (or something similar). This story got into the newspapers with the headline, 'Brother rescues brother'. (Uncle Bob doesn't appear to be a relation, although he features as a friend of the family I believe.)