Gerald Foster set up this site. He was the second son of Marian Robley and Frederick Gilbert Foster. Gerald was born on October 2nd, 1958 in Sheffield, UK. He had his early education in Australia and Newfoundland, Canada, and had an M.Sc.(Computer Science) from the University of East Anglia.Gerald is the author of a book, "Desktop Management with Novell Zenworks" and worked for the University of Cambridge Computing Service. He has 2 children, Katie (b. 4 October, 1984) and Ian (b. 23 April, 1986). Gerald died on 2nd April 2008 after an 18 months struggle with cancer.

Aidan Foster is the first son of Marian Robley and Frederick Gilbert Foster. Aidan was born on 20 June 1957 in Sheffield, UK. Like Gerald, he had his early education in Australia and Newfoundland, Canada, and he gained a B.Sc (Chemistry) from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1979. Aidan was a scientist for the first half of his career and published over 50 articles and abstracts during this time. He now works for the University of Cambridge as a Computer Officer and is a Senior Member of Wolfson College. He is married (Teresa b. 11 February 1961) and has 2 children, Naomi (b. 7 August 1995) and Sophie (b. 31 August, 1999). Aidan now looks after the technical aspects of the website, taking over from where Gerald left off.

Marian Robley (Foster), Cambridge, 31st. July 2001.

Marian Robley was born at Midtown Farm, Cumwhitton on 19th January, 1932, the daughter of William Isaac Robley and Hannah Graham. She had her early education at Cumwhitton village school and Carlisle & County High School for Girls. She has a B.A. in History from Sheffield University, an M.Th. in Theology from Edinburgh and a Ph.D. from the University of London. Until her retirement in 1999, she was Librarian for the Cambridge Theological Federation. Marian married Gilbert Foster in 1956, and has 4 children & 6 grandchildren. The Cumwhitton, Scarrowmanwick, Woodhouse (Wreay), Burthwaite, & Wetheral Robleys are her special interests.

John Alfred Watson Robley was born on August 5th, 1933 in Beckermet, Cumberland. He married Sheila May Sweeney on May 28, 1958 in Inverness, Scotland. They have 3 children, John Martin, Alison Mary and Judith Sheila Marion. John was educated at Seascale Preparatory School (1939-1944), and took a B.Sc. in Forestry at Aberdeen University. He has worked in Ghana & South Cameroons, and in 1964 emigrated to Australia. He was awarded the Australian National Medal in 1989. John & Marian have a common ancestor in Thomas Robley of Newlands, Carlton who died in 1690 and is buried in Wetheral Churchyard. Here the line branches, as John's forefathers moved towards West Cumberland (Egremont, Skelton & St. Bees).

John Martin Robley was born on August 6th, 1959 in Berekum, Brong Ahafo, Ghana, the son of John Alfred Watson Robley and Sheila May Sweeney.He graduated in 1983, from Murdoch University, Perth, with a B.Sc. and B.V.M.S., and is a practicing veterinary surgeon. Martin Married Lynette Alyson Daniels on November 1st., 1986 and they have 2 children: Jessica Mary Robley (b. 2 December, 1989) and John Martin Robley (b. 29 April, 1993). Martin has a special interest in the US Robleys.

John Ross (descendant of Christopher Robley, who left England for Australia in 1810, with a one-way ticket courtesy of His Majesty's Government) was born in Sydney in 1949. He is married to Odette (nee Grinham); they have 2 children, Elizabeth (b.1977) and James (b. 1980). After a career as a music academic, John is semi-retired, spending his time composing and practicing the piano and organ. His special interests are the Wetheral (UK) & Australian Robleys.

Trevor Hoodless was born in Tasmania in 1935. He retired as a superintendent of the Tasmanian Police Force in 1990 after 36 years service, and preceded by 4 heart attacks. In the police he worked as OIC of the Company Fraud Squad, OIC of the States Drug Bureau and Superintendent of the State Traffic Control. He spent considerable time working and attending courses in the mainland states in particular South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Trevor is married with 4 children, 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. His main interests now include, "researching the family tree, enjoying the company of the family and ascertaining if the vintage reds are up to standard, (in moderation)". Trevor is particularly interested in the Tasmanian Robleys, and has contributed articles on John Robley (1765-1840), transported as a convict to Australia in 1789, and Elizabeth Richards/Robley.

Beverly Campbell lives in Pictou Co., Nova Scotia. She is descended from John (Jackie) Robley, who came out from Scarrowmanwick, Cumberland to Pictou Co., with his brother William, in 1822. Her mother is Mabel Robley Campbell, her grandfather was Roderick MacKenzie Robley, her great grandfather and 1st. generation Canadian, was Isaac Robley (1849-1923).Beverly is manager of a small manufacturing plant, and has 2 children, Marie and Michael. She contributes regularly to this web-site, and has a special interest in the Scarrowmanwick and Canadian Robleys.

Alma Beattie Rasheed spent many hours doing research, in Carlisle Record Office, at the beginning of this project. She is the first cousin of Marian Robley (on the Graham side). This photograph was taken at Brocklewath, where Alma & Marian's grandparents, Walter & Annie Graham, farmed at the beginning of the twentieth century. Alma is retired and lives at the Faugh, Cumbria.

Kathleen Mary Coupland was born on 16th May, 1959, the daughter of Annie Ramsey Robley (Coupland) (20-04-1924)-(6-02-1984), and William Coupland. She was born in Cotehill, Cumberland, and has 3 sisters and 1 brother: Gloria Ann (b. 7-06-1949), Gerald William (b. 7-04-1954), Jacqueline Elizabeth (b. 1-01-1957), Margaret Elaine (b.11-02-1958). Kathleen is married to Norman Sherman and has no children, but has 3 nephews, 3 nieces, 3 great-nephews and 2 great nieces. She lives in Carlisle and her special interests are the Carlisle & Wetheral Robleys.

George Leonard Curd, b. 14 March, 1949, Jandowae, Queensland, Australia. Descendant of Matthew Robley b. 1712/13, Burthwaite, m. 1737/8 Elizabeth Broomfield. Their daughter, Hannah Robley, b.16 May 1754 at Cobham, Surrey, m, Eleck Etherington. Hannah and Eleck's daughter, Lydia Broomfield Etherington, convict, came to Australia in 1821 on the Janus as Lydia Astell. She led a very "interesting" life in London and in New South Wales, Australia.

George m. Margaret in June 1968 in St. Mary's, Warwick, Queensland. They have 3 children, Suzanne, Toni and Wayne and 2 grandchildren, Isabella 1, and Gabrielle aged 9 years

Marg. is a retired nurse and baby-sitting gran and George works at the Defence Base in Oakey, Queensland.

17 March 2001 - Website created