Author Archives: genealogy1066

There are likely to be as many Hamiltons in Scotland as there are Sinclairs; obviously not all deriving from the same spawning ground. ‘But who, then, was the first Hameldun or Hamelton who actually held lands and had thus settled … Continue reading →

To understand the principle of the English kinship group, as a method of protection and advancement, furthered by associations to the ‘lordship’ class, of which they were tenants, is a gateway into discerning ancestry. The notion of random marriages was … Continue reading →

1. John Fuljames, yeoman, of Weston Zoyland, Somerset (15 mls fr. Wedmore/Cheddar). Probate 11/55/485; Nov. 28, 1573. 1.1. John Fuljames, bur. May 10, 1601, in High Ham, Somerset (5 mls fr. Weston Zoyland, 10 mls. fr. Wedmore/Cheddar). The distances betw. … Continue reading →

Nothing more accurate has been said about the faintly visible characters that inhabit the distant past of Normandy than by David Bates, who commented about the mythical status of Duvelina, a supposed sister of Gunnor, and her supposed relationship with … Continue reading →

From Robert Goodricke of Nortingley, Somerset, descended: 1. Richard Goodricke, of Ribstone (1559-1601), Sheriff of York, who m. Muriel Eure, da. of William, Lord Eure. 1.1. Sir Henry Goodricke, of Ribstone (1580-1641), m. Jane Savile, da. of Sir John Savile, … Continue reading →

A fundamental difficulty in determining English ancestries in Virginia is the practice of English cousins intermarrying into the same families, so that consanguineous links were strengthened at each generation by non-consanguineous ones. This makes it difficult to identify different strands … Continue reading →

1. Torf. 1.1. Turketil (GND, viii. c. 37; OV ii. 12); died sans issue. 1.2. Turold ‘Turoldis teneri ducis pedagogus perimitur’ (Will. Gemet, VII.). 1.2.1. Hunfrid (Onfroi) de Vieilles, alias Vetulis or Vaux, lord of Vieilles; a small commune in … Continue reading →

When considering the the ancestry of William and Edward Carter of Virginia, previously of Sussex and London, England, and being perplexed as to how their family became associated with families of the Bristol basin, it is only necessary to understand … Continue reading →

Within the sheer density of kinship group intermarriages, it is possible to gain an insight into a particular family by focusing on another, so as to view through a different prism. In the case of many families of the Somerset/Gloucestershire … Continue reading →

In the following notes I have redacted  information recorded in a family bible, the first entry in which commences in 1687. The family possessing the bible have no material interest in the early entries, which, by female succession, lead to … Continue reading →

What passes as ‘factual’ in most accounts of the early lineage of the Norman Dukes is nothing more than a preference for a Norwegian or Danish origin, fiercly contested in the 19th century by nationalistic zealots. Other thorns in the … Continue reading →

1. Robert, held of William Peverel I. (who died in 1113) “in Stapleford 2 carucates”. 1.1. Geoffrey de Heriz donated to the said William Peverell’s foundation of Lenton (between 1103-1108), two-thirds of his tithes in Stapleford (Mon. Anglic. v. 111b), … Continue reading →

As some aristocratic families ‘declined. through descent to junior branches, they intersected with families who were ascending the social scale, as Poyntz to Owsley and Harris. 1. Osbert FitzPonts (perhaps). 2. Nicholas FitzPonts (perhaps). 3. Hugh Poyntz, d. 3 Henry … Continue reading →

1. Torf. According to Robert of Torigny (GND, viii. c. 37), Torf was the father of Turold and Turchetil (see also OV ii. 12). It is wrongly assumed that this Turchetil was a forefather of the Harcourts; he died childless, … Continue reading →

1. Thomas Harrys of Mells, carpenter, b. 1494. “Thomas Harrys”, a tenant of Glastonbury Abbey, who is recorded thus: Harrys v Dyar. Plaintiffs: Thomas Harrys. Defendants: Thomas Dyar, knight. Subject: Tenement in the late abbot of Glastonbury’s manor of Greinton. … Continue reading →

1. Gilbert Crispin I., held the border fortress of Tillieres as vassal of Gilbert de Brionne. He m. Gunnora d’Anet (I suggest), which would answer M. Le Prevost’s statement that there was an apparent association between the Crispin and FitzOsborn … Continue reading →

As in the colonisation of Virginia by English settlers, the colonisation of England by Norman settlers was achieved by the transplantation of kinship groups. The Norman elite’s control of England was through a ‘mesh’ of interrelated families; a form of … Continue reading →

The Harris family of Nunney, Somerset, were synonomous with their namesakes at adjoining Mells. This is evidenced by a deed of the Whitchurch family, which descibes property in Nunney being tenanted by “Harris of Mells”. (Nunney deeds, ref. DD\BR\ls/8). 1. … Continue reading →

The motivations given for people to emigrate to Virginia often include those of economic gain and escape from the stifling English class system; the latter leading to the former. A motivation of a starker kind was an escape from political … Continue reading →

1. Torf. According to Robert of Torigny (GND, viii. c. 37), Torf was the father of Turold and Turchetil (see also OV ii. 12). It is wrongly assumed that this Turchetil was a forefather of the Harcourts; he died childless, … Continue reading →