Category Archives: Uncategorized

Genealogical interconnections always went back deeper in time – a countless succession of intermarriages between the same families over centuries. This was the general pattern. All that is left to do is the discernment of threads within. 1. William Johnson, … Continue reading →

I ponder this – If a statue of WILLIAM WEST THE REBEL had have been raised, would it now be torn down? 1. Robert Bennett, m. a dau. of Richarde Edneye, of Wivelscombe, Som., Vintner. 1.1. Thomas Bennett. 1.1.1. Richard … Continue reading →

HOLLAND 1. William Holland, of Conway.1.1. Thomas Holland (fl.1477). 1.1.1. William Holland.1.1.1.1. Humphrey Holland (fl. 1527), m. Grace, dau. of John Conwey, of Bodrhyddan.1.1.1.1.1. Hugh Holland, m. Ellen, dau. of Jenkin, son of Sir Richard Bulkeley.*1.1.1.1.1.1. Hugh Gwyn Holland ‘of … Continue reading →

It is a relatively simple matter to outline the ancestry of Colonel Richard Lee, of Virginia, as much has been previously researched. It is only a matter of suggesting extra detail. Such detail gives an insight into the extreme complexity … Continue reading →

“The consolidation of the states into one vast empire, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of ruin which has overwhelmed all that preceded it”. (Robert E. Lee). To recognise the very probable … Continue reading →

One thing most evident in constructions of genealogies of English settlers in Virginia is that their base almost invariably derives from ‘Burke’s Landed Gentry’, or suchlike, and because of that are almost invariably without any foundation. This is an easily … Continue reading →

The surest way of determining lines of ancestry within the same family is to trace successive relationships to another family which are specific to them. As I once wrote: ‘The Norman elite can be identified when the method by which … Continue reading →

Time moves on, but it seems as if yesterday I was contacted by a member of ‘Harris Group 4’ regarding ongoing research about the origins of Harris families of Virginia. A concensus at this time was that one such family … Continue reading →

As with any group of males who share close DNA matches, it is the case that they had a ‘recent’ ancestor in common. In regards to those claiming descent from Major William Harris the most recent common ancestor probably lived … Continue reading →

The reality of life in 17th century England was one of living within a closely-meshed kinship system, under the umbrella of its dominant families, to which all others aimed to be closer through the strategy of intermarriage. At first, to … Continue reading →

Any theory as to the English ancestry of Virginia settlers cannot be based of a single coincidence. The proposition that Major William Harris was the son of John Harris of Ludlow is based on multiple coincidences: 1. His land was … Continue reading →

Geneological enquiry of ancient English families necessarily requires consideration of related families, as the invariable mode of survival was through a safety net of kinship, with its obligations of mutual support. The level of enquiry has to be at least … Continue reading →

The usual result of a family dividing into ‘branches’ in medieval and post-medieval England was that they maintained close contact despite their geographical divide. In the case of the Holland family of Shropshire, their associations there to families of Cocke … Continue reading →

Most associations in early Virginia of English settlers were of an ancient nature, whether known or not, reaching back to early medieval times, when land was held of the Crown in exchange for military service, and the vassals of the … Continue reading →

HARRIS 1. … 1.1. Rowland Harris, of Ludlow, b. ca. 1560, d. 1605, m. (Sept. 14, 1595), Jane Langford, bapt. Oct. 10, 1567. She m. 2. Edward Lewis, who by a first wife was the father of Thomas Lewis, (aged … Continue reading →

It is not the case that all 18th century people in Virginia were descended from colonists of old, for, English settlers followed in the footsteps of earlier family members, in a process of continuous settlement. An ingrained habit of enquirers … Continue reading →

1. John Brantley, bur. Oct. 5, 1592, m. a sister of Thomas Haye, June 26, 1563, in Bengeworth, Worcestershire. The Haye family were frequently Godparents of Brantley children. 1.1. John Brantley, bapt. Oct. 1, 1566. 1.1.1. Robert Brantley,* m. Joan … Continue reading →

Just as important as genealogical tables would be those showing connections between various families which provided the ‘passageways’ by which people from various English areas came together (for mutual advantage) and intermarried. The connections between the Bourne family of Somerset … Continue reading →

In notes to myself, I have explored the possibility of the Heriz family of Notts. and Derbys. being antecedant to th Harris family ‘of Radford’, so called, and they to a Harris family of Somerset; and they to one of … Continue reading →

Some final medieval notes. “But who, then, was the first Hameldun or Hamelton who actually held lands and had thus settled in Scotland anterior to Walter FitzGilbert de Hameldun”? (John Riddell, Comments in refutation, p. 259, 1860). This was to … Continue reading →