Kent is in the south east of England and bordered by the counties of Surrey and East Sussex to the west and to the north Greater London and Essex across the Thames Estuary. To the East and south there is the sea, with the Straits of Dover and the English Channel, France is just 21 miles away.
Kent is known as “The Garden of England” as its climate supports fruit orchards and hop gardens with distinctive Oast Houses (used for drying hops) scattered around the countryside.
Traditionally the River Medway has acted as divide – born to the east, you are a Man or Maid of Kent; to the west – a Kentish Man or Maid.
Our Kent ancestors are on the maternal side with the WOOD and ROPER families, Men and Maids of Kent.
Gillard / Wood Family History 