Redfairn Family History
My mother’s family name was Redfairn. This is a form of the surname Redfearn and the more ancient spelling of Redfern. The name most likely originated as a result of the ancient members of the family living in an area where Red Ferns grew. My Great Grandfather James Henry Redfairn appears to be the first in his line to use the spelling of “Redfairn”. After arriving from England, my line begins with James Redfearn, Sr who was born around 1711 most probably in Essex County, Virginia. His son Isaac Redfearn (b. 1750 Essex, VA – d. 1832 Randolph, NC) was the next in my line. Next was his son Solomon Redfearn (b. 04 May 1788 Randolph, NC – d. 20 May 1873 Vinton, OH). Solomon’s first wife was Jane Cox and they had several children including Irwin Redfearn (b. 1818 Jackson, OH – d. after 1880 Wayne, IL). Irwin Redfearn was married three times. His second wife was Nancy Galiher and their son James Henry Redfearn/Redfairn (b. 19 Nov 1853 Jackson, OH – d. 26 Feb 1929 Dunklin, MO) was my Great Grandfather. James Henry Redfairn is the older gentleman sitting down on the bottom left in the photo below. The young couple standing immediately behind him are my Grand parents Blanche Ethel (Manning) Redfairn and Charles William Redfairn.
The Redfairn Family - Gibson County, Indiana about 1909
Here is a short home movie clip taken probably in late 1960 at the home of my grand parents Charles and Blanche Redfairn in Hazelton, Gibson County, Indiana.
http://www.barryreeves.com/videos/MovieClipGerald1961/RedfairnHomeMovie1961.flv
