The world’s leading publication for one-namers Vol 8 Issue 5 January–March 2004 R e p o r t s

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CHAIRMAN Box G, 14 Charterhouse Buildings Ken Toll Goswell Road, London EC1M 7BA 20 North Road E-mail: [email protected] Three Bridges Website: www.one-name.org W Sussex RH10 1JX Registered as a charity in England 01293 404986 and Wales No. 802048 [email protected] Guild information

Sales VICE-CHAIRMAN Paul Millington AS well as Guild publications, the 58 Belmont St Sales Manager has a supply of Jour- Worcester nal folders, ties, lapel badges and President Worcestershire back issues of the Journal. The Derek A Palgrave MA FRHistS FSG WR3 8NN address is: 01905 745217 Vice-Presidents [email protected] Howard Benbrook Peter Goodall 7 Amber Hill Ernest Hamley SECRETARY Camberley John Hebden Jim Isard Surrey Peter Towey 74 Thornton Place GU15 1EB Horley England Surrey RH6 8RN E-mail enquiries to: Guild Committee 01293 411136 [email protected] The Committee consists of the [email protected] Officers, plus the following: Forum Rob Alexander REGISTRAR THIS online discussion forum is Jeanne Bunting FSG Roger Goacher open to any member with access to John Hanson Springwood e-mail. You can join the list by Barbara Harvey Furzefield Road sending a message with your mem- Roy Rayment East Grinstead bership number to: Geoff Riggs W Sussex RH19 2EF [email protected] Peter Walker 01342 326663 [email protected] To e-mail a message to the forum, send it to: Librarian [email protected] Vacant TREASURER Sandra Turner Regional Reps Co-ordinator Regional Representatives Barbara Harvey 2 St Annes Close Bookstall & Sales Manager Winchester A LIST of Regional Representatives of the Guild in a number of UK Howard Benbrook Hants SO22 4LQ 01962 840388 counties and overseas can be found Forum Manager [email protected] on the inside back cover of this Peter Walker Journal. If you are interested in Website Manager EDITOR becoming a Regional Rep, please Paul Millington Roy Stockdill contact the Regional Representa- Publicity Manager 6 First Avenue tives Coordinator, Barbara Harvey Roy Rayment Garston, Watford (address and phone number on the Data Processing Manager Herts WD25 9PZ inside back cover). John Hanson 01923 893735/6 [email protected] The Journal of One-Name Studies is SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMEN published quarterly by the Guild of Executive Ken Toll One-Name Studies. Publications Roy Stockdill ISSN 0262-4842 Seminars Roy Rayment © Journal of One-Name Studies MAIN ARTICLES

6 Many surname variants are really misspelt deviants – COVER STORY DEREK PALGRAVE on difficulties associated with the multiplicity of surname spellings 10 Make the most out of online search engines to aid your one-name research ROB ALEXANDER with the first of a two-part series about online essentials 12 Business card that travelled across three continents and 100 years VALDA SHRIMPTON tells a fascinating tale of a tiny artefact from her one-name study 14 Impressive directories collection could do with a better search engine – COVER STORY In our regular webwatch feature, HOWARD BENBROOK looks at the University of Leicester’s Digital Library of Historical Records GUILD REPORTS • NEWS • EVENTS 17 Something for everyone at Halsted Trust Seminar on Introducing the Guild 18 A day at the races (or the Internet Seminar at Epsom) 19 Put dates in your diary for Newspapers and DNA Seminars 21 Have your one-name gathering poster at the FRC 22 Guild’s 2004 Conference covers topics you have asked for 23 Family reunions – Glenister gathering report • Dates for Jackett and P*rr*tt events One-Name Publications Award 24 Scottish Association of Family History Societies • President’s appeal for armorial bearings wins some support • New Committee member REGULARS 4 Chairman’s Notes KEN TOLL 5 Just My Opinion ROY STOCKDILL 20 A View From The Bookstall HOWARD BENBROOK 21 Registrar’s Notes ROGER GOACHER 25 Reviews of new genealogy books and CDs 26 Letters to The Journal – Your views on issues in the one-name world

ARTICLES, letters and other contributions are welcomed from members, especially accompanied by illustrations, and should be sent to the Editor. Publication dates will normally be the first day of January, April, July and October. Copyright of material is to the Editor and Publishers of the Journal of One- Name Studies and the author. No material may be reproduced in part or in whole without the prior permission of the publishers. The views expressed in the Journal are those of individual contributors and are not necessarily those of the Committee of the Guild of One-Name Studies.

3 Sometimes sorry can be the hardest word... his edition is some- give a full account of the size address labels were packed what embarrassing for of the problem and its resolu- into some envelopes. The result me, as I have to apol- tion in the April Journal. has been that at least 34 UK ogise in these Notes to members failed to get their a number of members for sev- Oops – an upside Journal and the situation for eral things that are, to a large overseas members may be degree, outside my direct down view from worse. control. the Members’ Again, I apologise to those affected. If you still have not 1881 census maps Handbook! received your October Journal, and discs project then please get in touch with Firstly, I apologise to the Now to the second problem me, and I’ll arrange for one to small, but significant, number that beset us. Thanks to Roger be sent. of members who are still wait- Goacher, Janet Heskins and We have, of course, learnt ing for their 1881 census maps others, we now have a Mem- from these problems and will or discs that they paid for. bers’ Handbook, which was endeavour to avoid them in Many of you are aware that delivered to existing members future. this project, which was with the October Journal. launched several years ago, has Unfortunately, a few of the Change of Sales been beset with problems. 2,000 or so handbooks were Manager Your Committee and I have printed with pages 9 and 16 At last I can move on to been working with the Project rotated! I have been in contact some brighter news. In order Manager, trying to bring this with the printer and they have to centralise sales activities project to a successful conclu- apologised profusely. I shall be within the Guild, we have sion for far longer than we meeting them in early 2004 to appointed Howard Benbrook would have wished. discuss this and other issues. as Sales Manager. We thought that, despite While only about 14 copies He will now use the book- the delays, everything had now have been identified so far, I stall stock to increase items been delivered. It was not until appreciate how irritating it will available for mail order, so that it was discussed on the Guild be the members concerned. I those unable to attend Guild Forum in November that it apologise if your copy is events can buy from the Book- became clear that there were affected. Please contact me stall by post. still a few problems. and I will arrange for a replace- Howard takes over from Ron ment to be sent to you. Duckett, who has given many Contact outstanding years of service to If any member believes they Journal mailing the Guild. Ron will continue to are still owed goods or services The final problem was hold his current stock and will they have paid for, will they caused by a sub-contractor of fulfil orders passed to him from please contact me direct at our printer, who now does the Howard. [email protected], or to enveloping and packaging of Ron, a long-standing mem- my address in the front of the the Journal and the various ber, has initiated and partici- Journal, with information on other items that go out to pated in many Guild projects what they ordered and when, members with it. This had over the years and we are dee- and I will endeavour to resolve worked reasonably well until ply indebted to him. the problems. the October mailing. I would like to add my per- At the time of writing I am advised that this is an sonal thanks to Ron for all he (November 23 2003) 21 Forum automated process but, unfor- has done – and continues to do subscribers were affected. I will tunately, two name and – for the Guild. ❍

4 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 The pleasures and the pain of deciding between variants and deviants! S our Guild President, cry! However, all my researches in in believing them not to be genu- Derek Palgrave, points sources like the IGI, census ine variants but errors of spelling out in his fascinating returns and parish registers, etc., and/or transcription or, as Derek and comprehensive arti- tend to show that easily the calls them, deviants. cle over the ensuing four pages largest number of instances of And then, of course, we enter of this Journal, many of what we variants of STOCKDALE are for still murkier waters when we get believe to be genuine variants of STOCKDILL and STOGDALE. names that are similar to, or our registered surname are Indeed, these are the only three share an element with, our regis- actually nothing of the sort. names that appear in Reaney and tered surname. I am sure most of They are very often simple Wilson’s A Dictionary of English you will know what I mean. spelling mistakes – mishearings Surnames. I am often sent by well-mean- deriving from the efforts of a I believe I can even suggest a ing people examples of STOCK- confused cleric or clerk to under- possible cause as to how it arose WELL, STOCKHILL, STOCKILL and stand a mumbling parishioner, a in its principal home, the county even STOCKDEN and STOGDEN. I strange accent or an unfamiliar of Yorkshire. A cousin of mine do not accept any of these, since I name; a difference of opinion was in the North York Moors believe them to be from quite between two or more scribes in national park a few years ago, different roots to STOCKDALE. the days when spelling was far seeking what we regard as our Indeed, there is a fellow Guild from standardised; a mistranscrip- possible “spiritual home” and member who has registered tion when original handwriting, source of the name, Stockdale STOCKELL and STOCKHILL and we often near illegible, was being Moor. He consulted a local far- have discussed our mutual inter- transferred to the printed mer, who looked puzzled for a ests in the past. However, I volume; and numerous other moment and then light dawned. cannot put my hand on my heart opportunities for confusion and “Ah,“ he said in a broad dialect, – and nor can she, I expect – and misreporting. “you mean “Stockdle?” He pro- swear that none of my Stockdills Derek has coined the term nounced it with a short final are misspelt or mistranscribed “deviants” to describe these sur- syllable, omitting the long “a” Stockhills! name errors. It is perhaps not sound in “dale”. Discussing it And then there is the small quite in the strictest dictionary later, my cousin and I agreed it matter of the alias, a pet theme definition of the word, but I can was but a very short step from of my favourite Yorkshire sur- think of none better. “Stockdle” to STOCKDILL. also names expert, George Redmonds. In his fascinating article – pronounced with a short second In his book Surnames and which I commend you all to read syllable. Genealogy: a New Approach, he and digest thoroughly – Derek Interestingly, the STOGDALE mentions a “Robert Stockdale says he has come across more version, which all the surname alias Stockton” in 1651. Now, than 100 versions of his own dictionaries give as a genuine STOCKTON is not a name I would name, Palgrave, but very few that variant, is not regarded by the accept at all in my one-name he would regard as true variants. LDS as such, but, rather, they study. But, as Dr. Redmonds says: I cannot claim to have treat it as a separate surname “An unaccented suffix was par- uncovered anything like an equal altogether. If I want to find the ticularly susceptible to change, number of versions of my name – STOGDALEs on the IGI in Fami- and could be confused with the root surname of which is lySearch, then I have to enter it almost any other frequent suf- undoubtedly STOCKDALE – but separately. However, I feel pretty fix.” I am quite sure all of you will there have certainly been some sure they are wrong. have had similar experiences with that have given me cause for What, however, am I to make your own Guild-registered sur- much thought as to whether or of supposed variants that appear name. What can we do about it? not to accept them. in the 1881 census, like STOCH- Not a lot, I suggest, except I do accept as a genuine vari- DALE, STACKDALE, STROCKDALE, examine each contentious exam- ant, and not a deviant, my own STOCKDALS and STOCKADALE? ple on its merits and offer our surname, STOCKDILL. “Well, he With names like these, I am best judgement on the facts as would, wouldn’t he?” I hear you wholly in Derek Palgrave’s camp we see them. ❍

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 5 Many surname variants are really misspelt deviants

ll of us who specialise in a the former was in Norfolk and the single surname are familiar latter in Suffolk with several versions of our References to people bearing both name. We tend to refer to versions, in records prior to the 16th these different versions as “variants” century, were listed and the places when, in fact, this may not be the case. where the references were found were In general, many of the versions are plotted. Two distinct distributions mistakes which have come about when emerged, centred on PAGRAVE and the writer has written down what he PALGRAVE respectively. To complicate thought he heard. If the speaker had a matters, the descendants of the broad dialect or a speech impediment PAGRAVES standardised the spelling of and the writer was hard of hearing, the name to PALGRAVE after about By Derek then the potential for deviation was 1600. considerable. When records are trans- In Lincolnshire there are many refer- Palgrave cribed from original documents written ences to POLGRAVE and in parish in an unfamiliar hand, or from micro- registers in that county PALGRAVE is film of such documents, there is scope slightly less common. In Surrey the ALMOST 20 years for further distortion. Anyone who has version PALSGRAVE predominates, so I ago the Guild’s used the International Genealogical take it to be a genuine variant. President DEREK Index will recognise this problem. Whether it is an anglicised version of A PALGRAVE PFALTZGRAF, a German name, seems wrote an article Few genuine most unlikely. However, I am fairly sure for the Journal1 I have come across over 100 versions that it has nothing to do with the Elec- describing some of of the surname PALGRAVE, but only a tor Palatine, known as the Palsgrave, the difficulties few of which I would regard as genu- who married Elizabeth, the daughter associated with ine variants. As the surname appears to of James I. the multiplicity of be locative in origin I checked on the Having accepted, say, two or three as surname spellings. place(s) concerned. genuine variants, one needs to consider Re-reading At the time of the Domesday Survey the status of the many other versions. some past issues, there were two villages in East Rather than list them all, I have we found the Anglia with similar spellings which expressed them in a two dimensional article so useful were likely candidates. One was array (see Figure 1 below). and interesting – PAGRAVA and the other PALEGRAVA; If all the options represented within and still valid today – that we invited Derek to OPTIONAL SPELLINGS OF PALGRAVE update it for the newer generation of one-namers. U In the article, O E M Derek makes the I LE I M point that what E LL SE GG O U A we believe to be P A (L) (S) G R A V (E) (S) AR LD Z GGEG AU F T variants of our AU D X KE AY FF registered name AW IE W may, in fact, be AY simply deviant EA misspellings. OW 1 11 6 5 4 1 7 7 4 2

Figure One – this table illustrates the many permutations possible for the surname PALGRAVE. They total more than half a million!

6 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 the tabulation actually occurred, they would point is OSWELL and OZWELL, which are both amount to 517,440, a figure obtained by multiplying versions of OSWALD. Similarly, one can find NEX and together the totals in each column! NECKS, and EUSTICE and EUSTIS. This is clearly absurd, but it is a useful exercise for The foregoing examples illustrate just a small anyone starting a one-name study. By assessing the proportion of the possibilities which arise from a likely distortion of vowel and consonant sounds consideration of the phonetics. The multiplicity has before searching, one can carry out a more thor- come about because there were no standardised ough scrutiny. For instance, I missed some spellings and no reference works in which a writer Lincolnshire entries in the GRO Indexes by not could check on the “preferred” version. looking up POLGRAVE. Yet more variations arise when records are trans- Several members of the Guild have handed me cribed from early manuscript sources. Even the lists of the many versions of their surnames for my experienced palaeographer can make mistakes. I am index of variants and deviants and I have analysed sure that the version of my surname, PAKEGRAVE, several of them using the above format. Some came about because of a confusion between “L” interesting generalisations have emerged. For and “K” in the Placita Coram Rege of 1283. instance, vowels lead to more variations than conso- In early records the distinction between the nants and the letter “E” can occur almost anywhere. letters “V” and “U” is very blurred, so I have seen many instances of PALGRAUE. Of course, a small “u” Long and the short is not unlike a small “n”, so this has given rise to Long and short “O” sounds give rise to several POLGRANE. It seems likely that, by analogy, options. In the surname HOLBROOK one can find PAGRAME and PALGRAW resulted from misinter- the first element Hal-, Hool-, Houl-, Howl-, and in preting the letters “U” or “V”, especially as the the second element -brook, -brock or -bruck. In quality of handwritten letters towards the end of a GOULTY and GOLDRING the “O” sound can be oa, word tends to degenerate anyway. ou or ow, as well as a few more not common to Early handwriting gave the letter “X” a tail, thus both. making it remarkably similar to a “Y”, and I assume The “U” sound in the surname EUSTACE appears that this brought about the transformation of in at least 14 different ways: U, Eu, Eue, Ewa, Ew, PAYGRAVE to PAXGRAVE in the transcript of the Ewe, You, Yow, Yew, Eau, Ui, Yoi, Yu and Yui. Red Register of Kings Lynn, 1372/3. The letters “I”and “Y” are interchangeable when Perhaps the long “s” is the most common source they occur in the middle of a name, so SPILLING can of transcription error, as it looks very similar to an be SPYLLING, SPYLLYNG or SPILLYNG. The letter “Y” “f”, and quite a lot of printed matter perpetuates at.the end of a name like ALLMEY can have a this. I suspect that the long “s” may also be trans- profound influence on the options one may find, cribed as an “l”, in which case this might explain the including -ye, -oy, -ay, -e, -ee(?), -ie(?). In the sur- occurrence of PASGRAVE in Coppinger’s Suffolk name POLYBLANK at least eight options have been Manors. recorded for the middle syllable: -a-, -i-, -e-, -ay-, -ei-, -er-, -ey- and -o-. Secondary sources Here are some other factors encountered... One is bound to conclude that the use of secon- • Final syllables usually receive less emphasis dary sources, although helpful and time-saving, when spoken, so in a surname like DORRELL the should be followed up by reference to the original endings -rail, -roll and -rill have been found. manuscript source. This should allow the elimination • The doubling up of consonants is widespread, of spurious variations. I believe there is much to be as in WOODYER and WOODDYER, both versions of gained from a comprehensive study of variants and the surname WOODGER, and STOT or STOTT. Some deviants. consonant sounds are so similar as to lead to confu- An understanding of the many possibilities needs sion, so a variation on HODSDON is HODGHTON. to be grasped by the one-name specialist fairly early • The “B” and “P” sounds may substitute for in his or her research programme. one another, as in POLLEBLANK and POLLEPLANK, I am also sure that there is considerable merit in both versions of POLYBLANK. putting one’s collected data on a statistical basis. In • The letter “H” may be added to, or dropped other words, how many examples of each version of from, the beginning of some names, as in HEASEY your surname have you found? A survey of fre- and EASEY. The adding or dropping of a final “S” is quency may assist in distinguishing the genuine also common: ALLBROOKS is an example of losing variants from those fleeting versions arising from an “H” and gaining an “S” in a version of quite simple errors. HOLBROOK. The availability of the 1881 Census Data on CD- Where different combinations of consonants lead ROM2 and the Surname Atlas CD3 has given us to the same sound, more variations result. A case in convenient access to statistical data from which we “An understanding of the many possibilities needs to be grasped by the one-name specialist fairly early in his or her research programme.”

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 7 Figure Two – the relative frequency of the surname PALGRAVE and variants, or deviants, in the 1881 British Census can determine the frequencies and distribution of adopted which also suppresses the vowels but codes specified versions. The accompanying histogram the following consonant sounds: B X S K J T F H L M (Figure Two, above) illustrates that there are really N P R TH W Y. G is coded as K and V as F, so PAL- only two main variants, PALGRAVE and PEDGRIFT, GRAVE becomes PLKRF. Analysing a large list4 although PELGRAVE and POLGRAVE, resulting from containing 90 million surname entries reveals only quite minor vowel distortion, account for a signifi- cant 17 per cent of the entries. Incidentally, since the late 19th century, when SOUNDEX CODING bearers of the PELGRAVE variant landed in Aus- tralia, that version has ramified considerably, so there are now over 140 PELGRAVEs qualified to vote b, f, p, v 1 there. PEDGRIFT seems to have emerged in the Waveney Valley, Suffolk, around 1800 and is c, g, j, k, q, s, x, z 2 enshrined in several parish registers with entries which include the phrase “Pedgrift alias Palgrave”. d, t 3 Prediction Several attempts have been made to develop l 4 models enabling the prediction of likely variants for any given surname. One of the earliest seems to have been Soundex, which depended on a coding m, n 5 system which neglected all the vowel sounds but was based on the initial letter of the surname and r 6 up to three consonants, excluding y, w and h, which could be represented numerically (Figure Three in the adjacent column). Selecting the initial letter “P” Figure Three – the Soundex table and coding the next three consonants, the surname PALGRAVE transforms to P426. Unfortunately, 23 possibilities. There are some obvious misfits, names like Pilgrim, Paliser, Pilchard, etc., have the including PALAEOGRAPHIA and PALOKORVA, but same code, so there were matches with well over most are very plausible. 1,000 possibilities. Other contemporary developments in this field More recently, the Metaphone model has been include the NameX model devised by John Challis. It

8 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 is essentially a Thesaurus, containing a very large mation, much of which appeared in the published number of variants covering over two million dis- work in 1988. A unique feature of the new publi- tinct surnames, and organised in name pairs with cation was the inclusion of a separate alphabetical weightings. list of variants, linking them to the preferred ver- Every one of the 26 letters of the alphabet and sions listed in the main part of the dictionary. This the apostrophe are admissible when using NameX, seems to have been the first real attempt to gener- but accented characters are converted to their ate a comprehensive collection of surname variants, nearest matching letter. In addition, phonetically presaging the current project to establish a compre- encoded versions are generated to yield further hensive Thesaurus of British Surnames8. comparisons in order to produce match scores. I believe it might help this project if members of Applying Soundex and Metaphone codings provides the Guild were to consider generating further supplementary evidence to refine the number of statistical information based on their own options. researches. Quantitative data showing the relative By the NameX procedure, one finds that there are frequency of variants derived from any convenient 41 variants for PALGRAVE with a series of scores accumulation, such as census returns, GRO entries, ranging between 99 and 75. Those over 95 relate to telephone books, etc., would be of considerable the most frequent variants encountered in archives: interest. those with a score below, say, 85 are rare or very In this context, I would strongly advocate the use rare. Very much the same pattern seems to apply to of Steve Archer's program3 (a full review of which the NameX listing for my wife's registered surname, appeared in the Journal, Vol 8 (4), SPILLING and I have no doubt other Guild members October–December 2003) to examine the statistics of will find a similar situation. the frequency and geographical distribution of Although these methods are remarkably effective variants which occur in the 1881 census. predictors, they do have their limitations. For This program provides a facility to generate four instance, the PEDGRIFT variant, mentioned above, is maps simultaneously and so make rapid comparisons not listed as a potential variant of PALGRAVE, of the ramification of the different versions. It also neither is PALGRAVE listed as a variant for PEDGRIFT. offers a very easy way of checking on the incidence Nevertheless, the latter version accounts for over of any potential variants or deviants. 20% of the current PALGRAVE variants. I would welcome correspondence from members Such comparisons between the variants and who might be prepared to assist. Please send e- variant distributions of different surnames may well mails to [email protected], rather than the lead to the definition of some general principles 5“ x 3” slips I requested before. ❍ which will be beneficial to us all and add new components to the study of history. References

Variants index 1 Derek A Palgrave, Journal of One-Name Studies, It was with this in mind that in October 1980 I Vol 1 (12) [Autumn 1984] started an index of variants and deviants to which 2 1881 British Census and National Index, CD-ROM several members of the Guild made contributions. version, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day This was publicised in the Guild Newsletter5 when I Saints, 1998 invited members to send in 5“ x 3” slips, one slip per 3 Steve Archer, The British 19th Century Surname version of the surname, also giving in parentheses Atlas, CD-ROM, Archer Software 2003 the preferred version. The source of the variant/ 4 Surname Thesaurus, www.imagepartners.co.uk/ deviant was to be indicated on each slip. Thesaurus/Search.aspx In 1983 my request was repeated in this Journal6, 5 Derek A. Palgrave, Guild of One-Name Studies in which I suggested that some indication of fre- Newsletter Vol 1 (4), p 47 [Oct 1980] quency and dispersion would be helpful. In fact, if 6 Derek A. Palgrave, Journal of One-Name Studies, anyone had accumulated data in the form of histo- Vol 1 (6), p 93 [Spring 1983] grams, maps, retrographs, etc., then information in 7 Patrick Hanks and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of these formats was particularly valuable. I am pleased Surnames, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1988 to say that a few members were kind enough to 8 Thesaurus of British Surnames, www.tobs.org.uk provide further information. However, that same year the Guild invited Patrick DEREK A PALGRAVE MA FRHistS FSG Hanks and Flavia Hodges, who were then in the President, the Guild of One-Name Studies process of compiling their Dictionary of Surnames7, Member 103 to address its Annual Conference at Leicester. The Crossfield House upshot of this was a remarkable opportunity for Dale Road members of the Guild to provide information based Stanton on their own research into variants, etc., for inclu- Bury St Edmunds sion in that dictionary. Suffolk IP31 2DY I believe around 300 members submitted infor- [email protected]

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 9 Make the most out of online search engines to aid your genealogy and one-name research here are many ways to explore what is available on the Internet, but it wouldn’t be the same experience without the search engines. We use them so often in such haste to get to the information we need that we often fail to explore the wider services that are often provided by the search engines themselves. If you are researching a surname which is unusual and infrequent, a basic search may well be good enough to provide a useful list of those sites where the surname appears, and which you can then explore. That’s true for me, but what about sur- names which are not so rare? Almost every search engine has additional fea- number of websites with the word Melton in them, tures or services that can make them more useful then.. than the basic search • (A) AND (B) will show facility. One useful fea- you all the websites with ture frequently found is both Melton and Mow- Boolean searches. bray in them. Boolean logic: Many • (A) or (B) will give people remember these you all the websites words from O-level • (A) NOT (B) will just maths and are put off by give you the websites them, but the concept is with the word Mowbray easy enough. Boolean in them, and omit any logic should make your sites which contain the searches more efficient word Melton. and effective. It enables you to “home in” on the How sites implement Boolean operators: The sites you are more likely to be interested in. most popular search engines use Boolean logic For example, if you have (A) a number of slightly differently. The table below lists the most websites with the word Mowbray in them, and (B) a common ones:

Site Boolean operators Example florida and golf andnot "Arnold www.alltheweb.com And Palmer"rank LPGA Or [Results will include "florida" Andnot and "golf" without the phrase Rank (1) "Arnold Palmer", preferably including the phrase "LPGA"]

www.altavista.com AND OR NOT AND NOT NEAR (2)

+ [Sites listed MUST contain www.google.com the word following] + MOWBRAY - MELTON would OR show all sites with the word - [Sites which contain the MOWBRAY in, but omit any word following will be with the word MELTON in omitted]

(1) Causes those sites which also contain another specified word to be listed nearer the top of the search results – check online help (2) Specifies that both specified words must be within 10 words of each other – could be useful for searching for people with an unknown middle name or initial

10 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 You are the expert on your surname, but here are Database searches some examples where Boolean searches can make Unlike text pages or multimedia files, a database life easier for one-namers: is structured, a file of information whose records • If you are looking for a specific surname/fore- may be searched by defined fields. That means it is name combination, you can often enclose the names often possible to search, for example, for a surname. in parentheses and search for that, e.g. “John A phone directory is an example of a database. Ebenezer Smith” They are useful for targeted searching. A regular • If the majority of your one-name study group search engine will not search the contents of a came from a specific town or county, use the AND database. The following sites enable searches on a operator to look for the surname in pages which wide variety of databases: also contain references to that location, e.g. Smith AND “Bethnal Green” Complete Planet • If you were researching the surname Schwar- http://www.completeplanet.com/ zenegger and wanted to avoid the many sites Invisible Web http://www.invisible-web.net/ concerning a certain film star, then you would Profusion http://www.profusion.com/ search for Schwarzenegger NOT Arnold. Search.com http://www.search.com/ • If you are looking solely for sites about family history, try a search for Jones AND (“family tree” OR Genealogy-specific Search Engines “family history” OR genealogy). It would be wrong not to mention search engines Search engines such as HotBot and sites that provide access to data specifically (www.hotbot.com) and Lycos (www.lycos.com) related to family history. These include: provide forms to fill in which are almost as flexible as Boolean searches, while Ask Jeeves Surname Supersearch (www.ask.com) allows for natural language http://surnamesupersearch.com/ searches. All are worth a try, but it is perhaps best to Genealogy Links select one which you like and stick with that. http://genealogylinks.net/

Meta Search Engines Do you have your own website? A meta search engine searches several other If you have a website of your own, you can search engines at one time. Meta search engines submit your details to the search engines, usually also offer Boolean logic. Such sites include: free of charge, and wait for your web counter to start going up. Dogpile www.dogpile.com Try these URL’s to submit your site: Fossick Meta Search www.fossick.com Mamma www.mamma.com Google Metor www.metor.com http://www.google.com/addurl.html MetaCrawler www.metacrawler.com AllTheWeb: Vivisimo www.vivisimo.com http://www.alltheweb.com/add_url.php AltaVista: Google alerts http://addurl.altavista.com/addurl/new Once you have your expression worked out for Google to search, you don’t have to wade through Google offers the facility to see which other web everything again every few months – sign up with sites include hyperlinks to yours. See: www.GoogleAlert.com and this company (not www.google.com/help/features.html#link owned by or otherwise connected to, but an I apologise if I have not listed your favourite admirer of Google) will notify you of any new sites search engine or site here. My objective has been to that come online. give a brief introduction to what is out there and how best to use the services in a one-name study. Multimedia Search Engines Using these facilities, it should be possible to locate Don’t forget to search out any images and sounds just about anything! ❍ that relate to your one-name study. The following websites may help in this quest: ROB ALEXANDER AltaVista Image Search Member 2819 http://uk.altavista.com/image 38 Meadside Park Drive Ditto www.ditto.com Woking FAST Multimedia Search Surrey GU22 7NQ http://multimedia.alltheweb.com [email protected] FindSounds.com www.findsounds.com Google Images www.google.com/imghp • Part Two of this series, with information about Lycos Pictures & Sounds online auctions and book sales, will be in the next http://multimedia.lycos.com/ issue of the Journal, April–June 2004.

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 11 Business card that travelled across three continents and 100 years By Valda Shrimpton his is the story of one small cream the company at the head office in London England. coloured card, a mere 79 millimetres long Mr Shrimpton has also been appointed a director of by 39 millimetres wide. This business card, the Manitoba Land Company limited, and secretary sent to me from Canada, came into my of the Kootenay Valleys Company Limited, and is possession in 1991. Since then, I have intermittently engaged in other Canadian financial business at 46 puzzled over the identity of R. J. Shrimpton, who he Queen Victoria Street, London E.C.” was and how this small, insignificant card had Robert J. Shrimpton had “returned” to England. survived, travelling across three continents in the The only possible candidate with a death registra- process. tion in this country was Robert John James Around 1860, George Shrimpton, a young Lon- Shrimpton who was born in Peckham, Surrey in don man of 19 years of age, travelled to New York 1863. On the 1881 and 1891 censuses, this Robert, a and later moved to Winnipeg, Canada, as a partner clerk to a public company, was staying with his in a general store. It was presumed that some time parents in Croydon, Surrey. He was far too young to during his stay in Winnipeg he acquired the card have met George Shrimpton in Winnipeg between from R. J. Shrimpton, a man he met far from home, 1860 and 1870, but then, the earliest known record who though unrelated, shared his name. of Robert J. in the city was 1887. George returned to England around 1870, where In 1903, Robert John James married Marian it is believed he remained until he and his family Sampson on September 10 at Barnard Castle, County emigrated to Australia in 1894. In 1959, on the Durham. At the time of his marriage, he was a death of one of George’s financial agent from sons, the card was found Addiscombe, Croydon. among his papers. At a Robert and Marian had time when most families four known children. The tended to throw out two eldest, born in 1904 unnecessary clutter, the and 1906, did not have card survived, returning births registered in Eng- once more to Canada land. The two youngest when George’s grandson were born in 1910 and emigrated there. Finally, 1912 at Walton on the card was posted back Thames, Surrey. Robert to England and came James John died on 30th into the possession of a March 1917 of chronic third but unconnected The card that inspired Valda Shrimpton’s intestinal nephritis and Shrimpton. lengthy detective hunt for its owner oedema of the larynx. His Moving from the card to its owner and from 1991 administration gave his address as Crosswyn, Walton to the present day, I am at last in a position to reveal on Thames and 46, Queen Victoria Street, London. the identity of R. J. Shrimpton. Henderson’s Mani- I had been misled for so long because I had toba and Northwest Territories Gazetteer and naturally assumed the card must have been Directory for 1897 records R. J. Shrimpton as: exchanged in Winnipeg with George during his stay “mgr Man. Mortg & Ins. Co., 228 Portage ave, h there in the 1860s. In fact, there is now every reason 354 Donald” to believe the exchange took place in London in the The 1908 edition of the directory gives the added early 1890s and perhaps not even with George, but bonus of: through his son Walter Ernest. “Shrimpton Robert J. real est h 310 Anderson” The mysterious Manitoban Robert turned over- The March 31 1901 census was checked, but night into a very English Shrimpton with a lineage Robert was not resident at either address. From that could be traced back through Hampshire into April 1887 to August 1908, Robert was mentioned Dorset and the late 17th century. His father William no fewer than 65 times in the Manitoba Morning Shrimpton (1812–1895) was born in Guildford, Free Press – nearly always for his cricketing prowess. Surrey, though he was not baptised until 1816 at St. The last entry in the newspaper announced his time Mary’s, Marylebone, Middlesex. He was a farmer on in the city was finally drawing to a close. his first marriage when at St. Giles, Camberwell, in “R. J. Shrimpton, formerly manager of the Mani- 1840, he married Julia Jane née Eaton (circa toba Mortgage and Investment Company limited in 1820–1854). Their six children were baptised in Winnipeg, has been appointed managing director of Camberwell, Marylebone and Lambeth, but by 1853

12 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 the family had moved to Warden Court, East age, only a daughter and Robert were to marry. Church, Isle of Sheppey, Kent. There on March 9 Before his death, William may well have provided 1854 Julia died of liver disease, leaving four surviv- for all of them. In his will, he left everything to his ing motherless children. daughter “Eliza Jane Shrimpton or Eaton my young- Julia’s younger unmarried sister, Sarah Ann (circa est daughter by my second wife the sister of my first 1823–1914), took over the running of the wife.” His executors were named as “Edward Henry household. William’s gratitude turned to attraction William Shrimpton or Eaton, and Robert John James and on September 3 1856, a daughter, who lived for Shrimpton or Eaton my two surviving sons”. William, only a short time, was born. The couple wrestled Sarah Ann, and four of their children were buried in with their consciences and their passion for a further the family grave in Nunhead Cemetery Southwark. year. Under both canon and English civil law, when a The last to die was Eliza Jane in 1953 buried in a man and woman married the two “became one” separate grave nearby. Nunhead Cemetery has for and a husband’s affilial relationships became those the most part returned to woodland after years of of his wife. Such relationships continued even after neglect and is now a conservation area. Finding the the death of one party. Any marriage to Sarah Ann family gravestones even with a plot reference has would be deemed incestuous. proved an almost impossible task. Only in 1907 did Parliament finally pass the Robert John James Shrimpton had three sons: one Deceased Wife’s Sister’s Marriage Act after over half an accountant, one a captain in the navy and the a century of sometimes acrimonious debate. In 1921, youngest, who lost his life at Singapore in 1942, the Act was modified to allow marriage with a aged only 30. deceased brother’s widow. The Church of England For over a century, across thousands of miles, came into line with the civil law in 1940. But in 1857 two unrelated families have cared for one small, at St. Giles-in-the-Fields, Middlesex, using the insignificant, and long-forgotten business card. anonymity afforded them by London, William and Though seemingly worthless, the artefact’s longev- Sarah Ann married. They returned to Sheppey, ity and power to intrigue has finally instigated the where three more children were born and baptised. writing of this account. ❍ Three further children followed after the couple moved to Croydon, Surrey. VALDA SHRIMPTON The legality of William’s second marriage and the Member 1533 status of his wife and the four children who survived 143A Grosvenor Road him obviously worried William. His only son William Langley Vale (1846–1880) from his first marriage, had prede- Epsom Downs ceased him, leaving no children, but his three Surrey KT18 6JF daughters had all married. From his second marri- [email protected] Evidence for and against Robert John James Shrimpton of Croydon, Surrey, and Robert J. Shrimpton of Winnipeg Manitoba being one and the same man

George Shrimpton lived in Winnipeg between 1860 and 1870. Robert John James was only born in 1863 in Peckham, Surrey. Robert J. Shrimpton’s business card clearly states Winnipeg Robert J. Shrimpton was mentioned in the Manitoba Morning Free Press 65 times between 1887 and 1908 The Manitoba Directories for 1897 and 1908 gave Robert J. Shrimpton was not at either address in the business addresses for Robert J. Shrimpton in Winnipeg Manitoba census of March 31 1901 Robert John James was present in Croydon on the Robert J. Shrimpton was not mentioned in the 1881 and 1891 censuses (but not census night March Manitoba Morning Free Press in the years 1891 and 31 1901) 1901 through to 1904. Robert John James married in 1903 in County Robert John James’ first two sons, born 1904 and Durham when of Addiscombe, Croydon 1906, did not have birth registrations in Britain Robert J Shrimpton left Winnipeg in 1908 (Manitoba Free Press). His next two children, born 1910 and 1912, had their births registered in Surrey The Manitoba Free Press in 1908 gave Robert J’s future business address in London as 46 Queen Victoria St. Robert John James’s administration in 1917 gave the same business address

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 13 t was getting late and maybe I’d had one chosen word; this is the Results Page. glass of red wine too many, maybe it was the As soon as you’ve selected the directory you want euphoria following the successful Halsted to look at, you are taken to the navigation page Seminar, or maybe there was something in the featuring the directory page that contains the first olives at the Spaghetti House, but the Editor, Roy “hit”, nicely highlighted in yellow. From this point, Stockdill, did it to me again: “How about doing a Digital Library of Historical Directories you can go forward and back through the pages by review of that Historical Directories website for the using the page arrows, or you can jump to the next, next Journal?”, he said. “Oh, yes, of course, I can do or previous, hit. You can use wildcards in the Simple that,” I said with gay abandon. Ha! Remind me to This impressive collection of directories Search: use the character “?” for single character drink less red wine! substitution and “*” for zero or more characters. So, anyway, here we are. So, what are we talking You can also use several words in the Simple about? Well, to get things right, the URL is... could do with a better search engine Search. This is treated as a phrase and the directories http://www.historicaldirectories.org in only three directories. Also, although this is a site Spring 2004. But more of this as we go along. Let’s listed are those containing that phrase. I tried and it’s a website created by the University of dedicated to directories in England and Wales, there imagine you’re entering the site for the first time “parish church” and, predictably, there were 11,720 Leicester to house a collection of trade directories. is very little that I could find for Wales. Leicester- and you want to find more of those surnames that hits in 211 directories. And very impressive it is, shire is well represented – is are registered to you. But I then tried “church parish” and to my sur- mostly (see later). this a surprise? – and, of Once you’ve entered the site (See Trade directories are course, there’s nothing on Figure One, below left, for the home- much under-utilised in my Scotland or Ireland. page), you are confronted with a rather view – probably because But now a shot of reality: plain page with the six date ranges that I they don’t contain obvious this is a site under develop- mentioned earlier. This is the Catalogue family relationships; maybe, ment. Although impressed Page. Clicking on any one of the date too, because they are not by the breadth of the data, ranges takes you to the Contents Page, centrally located. But that’s exactly what this site I’m somewhat underwhelmed by the search capabili- which reveals the true extent of the direc- sets out to address. In our modern world of global- ties and the interface. To be fair, though, they do tories held in that date range. ised corporations, it’s difficult to appreciate that, refer to the site as a “prototype version” and say Each of the directories is listed, and if way back then, there were no corporations with that they are expecting to make improvements in you click on one of these you are taken to thousands of employees. Most of the population a navigation page, worked for a very small enterprise or – and here’s which allows you to the point – worked for themselves. Even those who navigate through a did have a regular employer were often listed in single directory. trade directories with their "other" job. Oddly, the title bar disappears and you’re Valuable resource confronted with a These documents are a valuable resource to rather different inter- family history and here I draw a distinction with face – there is no way genealogy – to find that your man was not just a to get back to the carpenter, but that he’s also listed as a french Catalogue Page from polisher gives you more understanding of the here, for instance. circumstances of that family, I feel. So, what’s on this site? Well, the collection is Searching impressive. I did an analysis of the scope of the But it’s much more likely that Figure Two – the results page directories included so far and the years covered are you will want to get straight as follows: down to searching for your prise there were 544 hits in 104 directories. Not all • 1750–1850: 30 directories chosen surname. There are two of these could be explained by phrases like • 1850–1860: 42 directories levels of search facility: Simple “Christchurch parish”, surely? And when I took a • 1860–1890: 45 directories and Advanced. From the naviga- look at one of the pages, all was revealed. The word • 1890–1900: 41 directories tion page, you can get to the “church” was found in a description of a village in • 1900–1910: 19 directories Simple Search page by clicking Somerset, Chew Magna, but the text spilled over • 1910–1920: 52 directories on the word Search at the left of two columns and the word “parish” was on the That’s a total of no fewer than 229 separate trade the screen. You can also click on same line as “church”, but in an adjacent column! directories. And I had to adjust my figures because Search on the main title bar in (To understand what I mean, see Figure Three on they even added another seven directories while I the Catalogue and Contents the next page). was writing this article! The earliest source is a 1906 Pages. It’s my impression that each directory has been reprint of an original directory of 1766, The Liver- As you might expect, for the scanned as a single searchable unit and the words pool Directory. This is, in itself, a fascinating study simple search just type the word contained within it have been identified indepen- that begins with 25 pages that are a survey of a set that you’re looking for. You are dently of the structure of the book. Common words of Liverpool directories, 1766–1907 – magic, and presented with a list of the such as “the”, “but”, “of”, etc have been excluded worth reading all on its own! directories similar to the Con- but the search engine just treats each directory as a All counties are represented; even tiny Rutland tents Page but now restricted to huge string of words, line by line, with no account features in 23 directories, although Westmorland is Figure One – the homepage of the Digital Library of Historical Directories the directories that contain your taken of the columns or any other grouping. So,

14 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 15 the occurrences of the phrase “church parish”. The Advanced Search takes a little getting used to. You can use a single word, or a word combination, as with the Simple Search, but the way in which these are used is affected by your selection in the “Look for” field. This has four settings: standard search, all words, any of the words, and exact phrase. I could find no difference between the standard search and the exact phrase, and I’m wary of the term “exact”. Using “pig whistle” that way gave me plenty of pubs called Pig and Whistle, for instance. However, using several words and selecting “all words” finds those directories containing all the search words, and selecting any of the words brings back a longer set of directories, each of which has at least one occurrence of one of the search words. The Advanced Search page also gives Figure Three – searching on the words “church” and “parish” you some control over the Results Page, finds them as a phrase in adjacent columns listing anything up to 100 directories and when you search, it’s probably best if you imagine ranking the results in a number of different ways. that you are searching several gigantic strings of But now for some confusion – you have a choice of words. This principle also applies to the use of settings of 0 to four for something called “Fuzzy wildcard characters, leading to unexpected results matching”; but in all my experiments, I could find where the original text has concatenated words – no discernible difference when I varied these for example, a search of mine using B*br*k* settings. I don’t think it works. included hits like “Biddenden, Cranbrook”, where It’s not mentioned anywhere, but I discovered the software had not recognised the comma as a that you can use the standard logical (Boolean) separator between two words. operators in the search criteria. So you can enter, I’ve used the word “hit” a few times already, but I say, “Benbrook or Bambrook” into the Simple think its use on this site could do with a little Search field and return a list of all those directories explanation. A “hit” is the occurrence of a search that contain either the word “Benbrook” or the word, even where several words are used in the word “Bambrook”. So searching the site using a search criteria. So, in my example of “church string of all of your favourites variants separated by parish”, above, the 544 hits mean that there were the word “or” will give you a list of directories, each 544 occurrences of either “church” or ‘parish’, not of which will have at least one occurrence of one of those variants. This will achieve the same result as listing all the variants in the Advanced Search and using a search type of “Any of the words”. I’d start that way. This site is clearly destined for more changes. I noticed that some of the calling scripts contained parameters that were intended for a username and a password. I suspect that one future extension of this facility is to register users in some way. It’s a prodigious resource and not one to be ignored. The interface is unconven- tional and should improve, but with a little patience you will get some really valuable results. ❍

HOWARD BENBROOK Member 3112 7 Amber Hill, Camberley Surrey GU15 1EB Figure Four – the Advanced Search page [email protected]

16 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 Something for everyone at Halsted Trust Seminar on Introducing the Guild By Carol Page “Sources for One-Namers” gave the title exactly as stated! Jean- us a comprehensive and detailed ne’s concern was that we consider here were you on list. These included civil registra- how we organise our information November 8 2003? tion, censuses, FamilySearch, and how we plan for what will Had you promised to parish registers and wills. A final happen to it eventually. take the family to category of “Others” considered Her experience came from try- see the Lord Mayor’s Show? websites such as English Origins, ing to organise and sort out Partly excused. Holidaying in the historical databases, mailing lists, information left to the Guild by a Seychelles? Enough said. But for The National Archives, the British member. We were shown photos those of you who just spent the Library and the Newspaper of filing cabinets, piles of loose day doing little at home, one has Library at Colindale. papers, booklets, files, etc., that to ask: where were you? Me – I I had attended the seminar at Jeanne had to try and organise, was at the Halsted Trust Seminar Epsom a couple of weeks earlier and she described the labelling at the Swedenborg Society prem- and some of the lecture covered and sorting undertaken. ises in Central London. some of the same ground. Per- Make sure references are writ- The seminar was entitled sonally, to hear the same infor- ten on documents, she begged. I “Introducing the Guild” and so mation a couple of times does immediately felt guilty! A second was, presumably, intended pri- not concern me, since it reminds guideline was: do not collect marily for newcomers to the me of what was said earlier and more information until previous Guild and others who may not reinforces the information. Also, information has been processed. already belong. A show of hands there seemed to be more time This second exhortation, by con- indicated that about a third of this time for people to discuss the trast, made me feel less guilty the 60 or so people there were sites under discussion and to offer that I had not done as much as I not members. Some, I am glad to their own suggestions and ideas. should have done, as now I can say, joined during the day, hope- The afternoon session began always say that I have been sort- fully having been sufficiently with a lecture by Paul Millington, ing out what I already have! impressed by the presentations, carefully constructed and pre- Further guidelines on what information and ideas given. sented as usual. Although sources we are expected to If you thought you knew it all stressing that each person knew search, how we should label and and had nothing to learn, I am best his/her own one-name study organise our information, how sure you were mistaken. With and how the information could we should clearly document and such a range of topics and the best be presented, Paul’s list of validate the information, etc., discussions that followed, there requirements – record informa- could well, I suggest, be put in a was something for everyone. tion, add to it, modify, search, paper for circulation to members, Janet Heskins began the morn- extend, exchange, cross refer- or be put on the website. ing session with: ”What is a One- ence, create trees, and annotate – Jeanne’s conclusions: Name Study?”. Examples of the and his assessment of the various • Mark everything. documents she had gathered in possible techniques that could be • List what is there and its ref- her research showed how widely used (paper, word processors, erence and list what is not there. one could range with enquiries, spread sheets, etc.) left me with • List sources and the date and also how one could work an awful lot of thinking and ranges covered. together with others undertaking deciding to be done! • Make sure sources are cited work on the same name. Paul finished with an outline for every relationship claimed. Janet was followed by Roger of his project for members to put • Make sure the media used Goacher, who gave us a logical, their information on the Internet for records will endure (acid-free structured presentation entitled: and the program he is devising. folders – no sellotape, paper clips “What does the Guild Do?”, out- In the final lecture, Jeanne or staples). lining the history of the Guild Bunting asked: “What happens What did I get out of the day? and the benefits of membership. when you die?” and then began Three things, I would say: meet- John Hanson’s lecture on by telling us she did not mean ing other researchers and

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 17 reinforcing contacts previously made; adding to my knowledge A day at the races (or the of where to search, and learning about sources that I had not thought of; and adding to Internet Seminar at Epsom) knowledge of how to put the By Colin Ulph information together, and how better to use my computer to he presence nearby of a Internet sources for one-namers. formalise the information I famous racecourse must Fortunately, he had printed a list already have have compelled the for us to use when we got home, If I have any criticism of the organisers to keep the so we were able to concentrate seminar, it would be that there Epsom Internet Seminar gallop- on the examples he put on the was perhaps too much stress on ing along at a fast pace. They screen. John’s progress was internet sources. Maybe we could packed a lot of good stuff into halted a few times by novices have done with more discussion the day and several times had to wanting technical jargon of non-computer sources. We all, crack the whip to ensure all of us explained – URL, browsers, search I imagine, know about the GRO made it to the finish in time! engines, etc – and I detected Indexes at the Family Records The venue was Rosebery signs of panic as John saw his Centre, but discussion of other School, which had kindly made allocated time slipping away. resources available there would computers available for us, so we However, it was an extremely be informative to some people. could gain hands-on experience. useful introduction that stood us Telephone directories were men- Being a girls’ grammar school, in good stead later on. tioned for information on those there were other bonuses, includ- The organisers had asked us in living, but no mention was made ing a staff room for refreshment advance to define our level of of the Infodisc (based on elec- breaks, a cavernous hall with experience. Only four came into toral rolls), a copy of which is on walls inscribed with hundreds of the expert category and they the first floor of the FRC. names of head girls and univers- denied it as the day went on. For ity scholars – a one-namer’s the next three sessions the field Probate records delight – and a toilet with 10 split into three, so that all could There was also no mention of cubicles for us gents to use, which get individual help. First Avenue House, Holborn, must be a first for any seminar! Jeanne first took my third into where probate records from 1858 It was a cold day, but the wel- a computer room to try out some are held. I found these quicker to come was warm from those of the websites for real. She search than the BMD records, and hosting the event. Jeanne Bunt- quickly got us to find our way the information given (the actual ing got about 40 of us under from the Homepage (which, date of death and address where starter’s orders, mentioning first appropriately, depicted a mon- the deceased was living, as well her disappointment that there key) to various Internet sites, and as the name(s) and sometimes was not a bigger field, especially used the session to demonstrate relationships – e,g, “widow” – of as the previous year at Ash dele- some of the pitfalls she had dis- the person(s) to whom the will gates had been very keen on the covered in her own research. Did was probated) interesting and idea. Maybe the date was incon- you know, for example, that the useful. Information as to the con- venient, maybe the venue was reason some of us may not find tents of the volumes and how not ideal, or could it have been an individual on the 1901 census these records add to basic infor- that the other 2,000 GOONS is because he might have had mation might have helped members think they don’t need “Junior” added to his surname, others. an Internet seminar? or that the Ontario cemetery In addition, information on the Personally, I’m always anxious index includes people who are NHS database mentioned by to grab opportunities to learn still alive because they’ve indexed Janet Heskins and how to appro- from people more experienced every name on the gravestones ach that for information would than me and, let’s face it, when it and not just the deceased? have been interesting, and I am comes to the Internet, that’s just Over lunch, we were invited to sure there are other non-compu- about everybody. Oh yes, I have a browse Howard Benbrook’s excel- ter resources also. Maybe this computer, I have Custodian and lent bookstall, where the recently could be a subject for the next (as Pedigree databases, and I send published Surname Atlas was I hope and assume there will be) and receive loads of e-mails. But selling well, and Jenifer Edmonds’ Halsted Trust Seminar? If there is when it comes to the Internet, collection of indexes on CD. Both another, just make sure you other demands on my time get in deserved a longer inspection than come, too! ❍ the way of finding out what’s out we were able to give. there, let alone surfing it. After lunch, Chris Broomfield, CAROL PAGE John Hanson got us off to a webmaster of the Society of Member 3961 sprint with his quick-fire guide to Genealogists, gave a quick guide

18 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 to setting up one’s own website. He warned it could be time-con- suming and costly and then SEMINARS UPDATE... outlined some points to ponder during the planning stage, one of the most valuable to potential Newspapers and DNA seminars users being “keep it simple”. It must be very rewarding to get should be dates for your diary your own site on the web, but the work doesn’t end there By Jeanne Bunting because it needs maintaining. ome along to our next Day the Wind Blew – the 1987 Practical seminar and learn how Gale. His lecture, “The Spirit of Then came another action- newspapers can add Invicta”, traces the 20th century packed practical session with interest as well as infor- history of Kent. Jeanne, with the chance to mation to your one-name study. If you have any interesting browse some informative sites. Genealogical “trainspotting” newspaper cuttings, please bring Among others, we looked at of names, dates and places is a them along for display. Full poverty lists, workhouses, worthwhile pastime, but “putting details of the programme are on churches and maps, and dis- the meat on the bones” can be the Guild website. covered how to order BMD even more rewarding. Newspa- certificates online. I also man- pers and periodicals often do this aged to find my own house on an is a way no other source can. In Oxford DNA aerial photograph and unearthed fact, if it were not for an article some namesakes on the Ellis in a periodical, I would never Seminar in May Island immigration records. have got into family history at all. RECENTLY there has been a great The whole field came down deal of interest, genealogically the final straight together, as we Picturesque speaking, in DNA. A number of heard Paul Millington, the Guild’s The seminar will be held on one-name societies have had tests webmaster, explain his proposal Saturday, February 21, at Otford done to prove whether or not for making our one-name birth, Village Memorial Hall in the pic- members are all related. Because marriage and death extracts turesque village of Otford, near of this interest, and also that available on the Guild website. Sevenoaks, just a few miles from shown at a previous seminar, we Having already decided that an the M25. The Memorial Hall is a are devoting a whole seminar to ULPH website is not on, at this bright modern hall with a large the subject. stage anyway, I could see the car park and has a pub right The seminar will take place on merits of Paul’s plan, and I shall opposite. See picture at... May 29 at the Headley Lecture look forward to hearing more. http://www.otford.info/ovmh/ Theatre, the Ashmolean Museum, We headed towards the finish images/Dscf0130.jpg Beaumont Street, Oxford. line with the usual general ques- It is half a mile from a mainline tion and answer session. The fact railway station. DNA authority that our tutors and helpers stood Speakers will include the well- The main speaker will be Chris at the front to field our questions known genealogist Dr Colin Pomery, an authority on DNA. seemed appropriate in a day that Chapman, who will be speaking You can read all about DNA, and was hardly relaxing, but was full about the Newspaper Library at more besides, on Chris’s website... of new information and practical Colindale; Journal Editor Roy http://freepages.genealogy. tips. I was left a little breathless Stockdill telling of his experiences rootsweb.com/~allpoms/ when it was all over, but I had as a journalist; and Jeanne Bunt- genetics.html enjoyed my day at the Epsom ing on “Reading Between the Full details will be on the Guild races. I learned a lot and was Lines” – finding family history in website as soon as the pro- encouraged to try some of the newspapers”. How many of you gramme has been finalised and sites in the more relaxed sur- can claim they know that their the flyer for the seminar will be roundings of my own den. 2x-great-grandfather had a dog in the next journal. I am certainly Speakers and content were and can even tell you it’s name? looking forward to this seminar, good, the organisation smooth The fourth speaker will be a as it promises to be a very inter- and the mix of lectures and prac- local man, Bob Ogley, Editor of esting one. tical workshops just about right. the Courier Group’s Sevenoaks If a similar seminar is organised Chronicle who also worked on JEANNE BUNTING in future, be there! ❍ the Tonbridge Free Press. He is Acting Chairman COLIN ULPH now an author of popular histori- Seminar Sub-Committee Member 501 cal books, which began with The

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 19 of Benbrooks in the East End, to be part of these Guild events, then you’ll need a season ticket as it seems to make the day more at the London Metropolitan valuable to those attending. Archives! My attention was drawn via an e-mail from Jeanne Where we’re going... Bunting to a new CD, Atlas & The family history fair season is Guide to London 1908. It sells at well under way. We’ll try and get £11.00 but is £10 to Guild mem- to the best ones and we plan to bers from the Bookstall (see a be at the following events... review of the CD on page 25). • Bracknell FH Fair, Bracknell, Where we’ve been... Berks, Sun, January 25 You meet a variety of people • Sussex & South London FH Fair, Goodbye to behind the bookstall and I’m Crawley, Sun, February 8 often intrigued by how some • Guild Newspaper Seminar folks get a genealogical bee in Otford, Kent, Sat, February 21 the big blue their bonnet and won’t let go, • Bath FH Fair, Bath, Wiltshire despite all the evidence – like the Sun, February 22 boxes man who insisted that PIPER must • West Midlands FH Fair, have Scottish origins (it’s a dis- Wolverhampton, Staffs, O YOU remember my tinctly Southern name, mostly Sun, February 29 telling you about the Sussex). The other week, I was • Essex & East London FH Fair, big blue boxes? They’ve doing my Surname Atlas demo on Brentwood, Essex, been everywhere with the bookstall and this chap asked Sun, March 7 me. They’ve travelled thousands if I could find the name STYRING. • Oxfordshire & Bucks FH Fair of miles and carried hundreds of He reckoned the only possible Kidlington, Sun, March 28 books. Well, they’re not so big explanation was an immigrant • Guild AGM/Conference any more. One of them was from Styria in Austria. Wyboston, Beds, April 2–4 showing the strain and I decided I’d never heard of significant it was more flexible to switch to immigration from Austria, but I It’s a real treat when a Guild smaller boxes. They fit better in plonked the name in, as usual. member turns up and says hello. my car and I’m less likely to The surname had an obvious Do please drop by if you’re at any develop a hernia this way. Pam’s concentration around Sheffield in of these events. My only regret is relieved. But, true to Guild Yorkshire. He seemed genuinely that we’re so busy we can’t spend colours, they’re still blue. disappointed that the origin of much time for a prolonged chat. his name might be so prosaic. I Of course, if you’re willing to put What’s new didn’t sell him anything, more’s in a couple of hours selling and Two new books from FFHS the pity! contributing to Guild funds, then Publications have attracted atten- There’s quite an itinerary to know you would be welcome! tion: Alan Bardsley’s First Name report this time around. It’s inter- Variants, now in its third edition, esting to note the subtle differ- You’re needed and a book by Susan T. Moore, ences, from others, at three open We’re now using three tables Family Feuds – An Introduction to days we attended run by the fam- consistently at each fair and I Chancery Proceedings, which ily history societies of Oxford- really need three people behind looks at the fascinating world of shire, Hampshire and West Surrey the stall. Don’t be shy – it’s very claim and counter-claim in at, respectively, Kidlington, Hor- simple, and my tutorial on the Chancery. ndean and Woking. They had a credit card machine is a Of course, some of the bigger different atmosphere to the nor- revelation! books were snapped up by peo- mal family history fair, with fewer My thanks this time are due to ple for Christmas – Ancestral complete beginners for a start. Ken Toll, Barbara Harvey, David Trails by Mark Herber, for This probably accounts for more Cuffley, Kirsty Maunder, and instance, and Phillimore’s Atlas & commercial success – the people Sandra Turner, each of whom Index of Parish Registers, now in attending are ready to spend gave up their valuable time to its third edition. more on their hobby. help me. Ladies and gentlemen, However, my best new find But the other fairs were suc- you are stars! recently is for those of you with cessful, too: at Eastleigh, Norwich If you’d like to contact Howard London connections. Most people and Wimborne. We also took the about any of the items he holds seem to have at least one branch bookstall to the two Guild events, on the bookstall, you can write to of their surname camped out in the Internet Seminar at Epsom him at guild.bookstall@one- London at one time or another. If and the introductory Halsted name.org, or 7 Amber Hill, Cam- you’re like me, with generations Trust Seminar in London. It’s good berley, Surrey, GU15 1EB, UK. ❍

20 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 Handling membership renewals is a small cottage industry! and receipt of these members who have paid twice – has to be checked yes it does happen. I then have to against the Guild bank make up payment batches of statements, entered cheques to take to the bank, gain into a payments data- authorisation for credit card pay- roblems make my work base, and any queries or omis- ments and schedule all payments harder! Although I have sions resolved. for the Treasurer to record in the registered a number of Over 50 members have signed Guild’s accounts. We also have to new members during RTA forms to pay their subscrip- send off your orders for the last few months, my main tions by credit card. I need to magazines, action any changes to task has been handling the gain telephone authorisation for members’ details, e-mail or write annual renewals. each payment. Unfortunately, the to resolve any queries and send I am grateful to those mem- credit card authorisation com- out reminder letters and e-mails bers who sent their renewals pany has now moved its opera- to those who haven’t responded. promptly. However, many of you tions to India and only five Yes it is all a lot of work, but it couldn’t do so because of the payments can be authorised at a is rewarding to know we are October mailing despatch prob- time. So, much phoning – doing it to ensure the Guild has lems, which are detailed else- especially when I have written the funds to continue. We are where in this Journal. out one of the credit card num- particularly grateful to all those Unfortunately. these problems bers with a wrong digit! members who have generously resulted in much extra work for This leaves over 800 possible added a donation to their mem- me. As the keeper of the renewals by post. We have a little bership renewal payment. This “spares”, I was lumbered with cottage industry going here in helps to stave off the need to sending out all the replacement West Sussex. My wife opens the raise the membership fee. packs. At the time of writing – envelopes each day, checks the I am often heartened, too, by late November – my wife and I value of the cheque sent against the e-mails and letters you send have made up and sent out over the member’s instructions, identi- me indicating your appreciation 70 replacement packs. If you still fies any errors, writes the mem- of the work Committee members haven’t received your October ber’s number on the back of the do on your behalf. Where appro- Journal, please let me know and I cheque and pins the cheque to priate, I pass such comments on. will arrange a replacement as the renewal form. That way we We are all unpaid volunteers, quickly as I can. don’t lose any cheques. working extremely hard to pro- So what does the annual rene- I then record the details of vide the services and facilities wals exercise involve? Well, 975 each payment against the mem- you gain from your membership. members have standing orders bers’ database. This identifies any Thank you, all. ❍

to advertise your one-name ment, but will let you know if Have your one- gathering, then send it to me at there is a problem with the latter. name gathering [email protected] and I I do not open dubious e-mails, will be responsible for putting it so please make sure that the poster at the FRC up for you. covering message leaves me in no The poster must have a small doubt as to the content. ARE you arranging a one-name Guild logo on it and also your If you have a deadline date for gathering? Then why not put up membership number, otherwise booking a place at your gather- a poster at the Family Records the FRC is likely to remove it from ing, please let me know, so that I Centre at Islington? the board. This is to prevent can take down your poster when The Guild now has its own anyone else from encroaching on the time has expired and use the notice board, where the list of all our space. space for someone else. There is the names being researched by The poster will be laminated no point in advertising something members is displayed on three A3 by me and should be pinned onto which is already too late! sheets. There is space for some A4 the board within 10 days of my posters as well. receiving it. I can accept them by BARBARA HARVEY If you would like to design one snail mail, or in an e-mail attach- Committee Member

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 21 Guild’s 2004 Conference covers topics you have asked for By Lynda Goacher

ITH this issue of the • What’s the residential accom- from 3.0 p.m. on Friday, April 2. Journal you will find modation like? However, should you arrive early, a full booking form The bedrooms are in two conference organisers will be for the Guild’s 25th blocks – one directly connected to around. For those attending from Anniversary Conference. This will the reception area and another Saturday morning, the Guild be held from April 2–4 at the just 40 yards away. Each block is AGM will start at 9.0 a.m. and the Wyboston Lakes Conference Cen- two storeys high with a lift first talk at 10.45 a.m., following tre in Bedfordshire. between floors. Each bedroom coffee. The Conference is sched- A big thank you to those mem- has a double or twin beds with uled to finish about 3.30 p.m. on bers who have booked early. A an en-suite bathroom. Each room Sunday, April 4. number of you have raised ques- has a colour television, tea and Those travelling a long dis- tions other members contemplat- coffee making facilities and a hair tance may like to consider ing coming to the Conference dryer. A number of bedrooms spending an extra night before or might also like answered. have been specially adapted for after the Conference at • What’s the programme? those with disabilities. Wyboston. Rooms are available This Conference is very much • Do I get a reduction for shar- and can be booked direct with FOR members BY members, ing a double room? the conference centre. covering topics members have No. We have negotiated a very • What else is going on? requested. All the speakers are special rate for the Conference On Friday afternoon at 5.0 “home grown” – Guild members with Wyboston Lakes – less than p.m. there is a meeting for with experience in a particular half the normal cost. Because the Regional Reps, a chance to meet area. Details of speakers and centre is often under-booked at members of the Committee and topics are on the booking form. weekends and the accommoda- discuss areas of concern and For many of the sessions, there tion empty, the additional costs interest. On Friday evening there will be two speakers presenting to Wyboston will largely be for will be entertainment in the bar, alternative or complementary labour and food. They are not following dinner. The Rev David views, followed by general discus- willing to give us any further Gynes will lead an Ecumenical sion. For example, many members reduction for double occupancy Service on Sunday morning at 8.0 expressed interest in a talk on of a room. We shall, therefore, a.m. for those not wishing to miss designing a website. Penny allocate a double room to each Sunday morning worship. Denby, a professional website person paying the Conference designer, will talk on the princi- fee. You are, of course, welcome Social ples of good design. Judy Elking- to share a room with your part- The principal social gathering ton has recently created a one- ner if you wish, but the cost is the will be the reception and dinner name study website and will talk same for both attendees. on the Saturday evening. After- about her experiences of the pro- If you have any special physical wards there will be live music in cess, and the decisions she made or dietary requirements, please the bar, which will remain open about material to include. Mem- detail them on the booking form, until midnight. We are also plan- bers will then have a chance to and we will do our best to make ning a number of, hopefully ask questions and give others the appropriate arrangements. pleasant, surprises for the Confer- benefit of their own experience. • How easy is it to get to ence, but to find out what they • What’s Wyboston Lakes like? Wyboston Lakes? are you will need to be there! Wyboston is a modern, The Centre is just off the A1 in If you haven’t already reserved purpose-built training and con- Bedfordshire near St Neots. your place, please send back your ference centre. All the facilities Access by road is relatively easy booking form quickly. This Con- are very close together and on from all directions. St Neots sta- ference is sure to be popular. If the level. They are of a high tion is situated on the West you have any queries, please e- standard and are being con- Anglia Great Northern line, and mail [email protected] stantly up-dated. Over the last 12 the station is under 10 minutes or write to me: months that we have been plan- taxi ride away from the centre. A ning the 2004 Conference, the detailed map will be sent to all LYNDA GOACHER bar, restaurant and coffee lounge conference delegates in advance. Member 4100 areas have all been rebuilt or • What are the start and end Springwood refurbished, even though we times of the Conference? Furzefield Road thought they were pretty swish If you are attending the whole East Grinstead before they started! Conference, registration starts West Sussex RH19 2EF

22 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 Family reunions Jackett gathering THE 2nd UK Jackett Family Gather- ing will be held at Truro, Corn- Glenister gathering in Bucks wall, from May 1–9 2004. Full THE first worldwide gathering of Oswego, New York, and Bronwen details from: John & Marjorie Jack- the Glenister family drew over Thomas of South Victoria, Aus- ett, 4, Rose Meadows, Goonhav- 160 members to High Wycombe, tralia. Ruth told how her great ern, Truro TR4 9LB, tel: 01872 Buckinghamshire, on June 28 grandfather Joseph Absalom Gle- 572449; e-mail: jackett@one- 2003 for a programme of talks, nister (1846–1939) emigrated name.org. Closing date for book- displays and social events. from Aylesbury, Bucks, to the USA ings, March 1, 2004. Organisers Andy Glenister of in 1868 and of the subsequent And P*rr*tts Winchester, Hampshire (Member spread of the family across THE P*rr*tt Society is 20 years old 1822), and Francis Glenister of St. America. Bronwen told of her this year and will be holding its Albans, Hertfordshire had spent quest to trace the descendants of AGM in Bath, where the inaugural two years preparing the event. her great-great-grandfather John meeting took place. Started for For many of those attending – Putnam Glenister (1792–1867) the surname PERRETT, the society including 24 from the USA and 16 who emigrated from Chelten- now covers 25 alternative spell- from Australia – this was their ham, Gloucs, to Australia in 1853. ings. Location and date: Abbey first meeting with distant cousins Displays included material Church House, Westgate Buildings, or with people only known from from family members and local Bath, Saturday, May 1. Contact: long-term correspondence. organisations with an interest in Miss Terry Perrett, 4 St James Among those present were the family. Malcolm and Leslie Square, Bath, Avon BA1 2TR John Glenister, a retired account- Glenister, descendants of William ant from Chelmsford, Essex, in his Montague Glenister (1828–1894), eightieth year, and Benjamin Gle- founder of both the Hastings One-Name nister, just 14 days old, the son of Police Force and the Hastings Fire Gordon and Jessica Glenister of Brigade, displayed many of Wil- Publications Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire. liam’s personal possessions. WITH this Journal you will A group of family historians A display from the Wycombe find an entry form for the told of their work to find the Chair Museum included a chair Guild Award for One-Name origins of the surname, locate all from the Royal Albert Hall, made Publications 2003. The the members of the family and in High Wycombe by the Thomas Award was instituted in track the spread of the family Glenister Company, founded by 1999 to encourage mem- throughout the world. This work Daniel Glenister (1811–1891). bers to produce regular has identified over 50 separate Glenisters who died in two world newsletters and journals. lines, covering the Glenisters and wars were commemorated in a However, in the last couple variant spellings of Glanister, display listing all their names, of years the number of Glennister, Glennerster, and Glin- with photographs of the soldiers, entries has been disap- ister. Families with the surname their graves and war memorials pointing and unless there is are known to be in the UK, USA, recording their sacrifice. an improvement the Com- Canada, South Africa, Australia, Following the gathering, there mittee may have to con- New Zealand and Samoa. was a coach trip to nearby sider the Award’s future. The earliest known reference Woburn, the birthplace of John Once again there will be to the surname is one William Putnam Glenister in 1792. Visitors two classes: for Category A Glenester, whose name is listed to the United Reformed Chapel members and for Cate- on a prayer roll dating from were shown original church bap- gories B & C combined. The between 1282 and 1349, which tism records from the late 1700s. winners will be announced forms part of the records of The day finished with an evening at the Guild’s 2004 Confer- Corpus Christi College, Cam- dinner and a final opportunity to ence at Wyboston Lakes bridge. By the time of the 1881 swap telephone numbers and from April 2–4. To qualify census the surname was concen- addresses. The whole event was you must send three copies trated in the counties of Hert- captured on camera, with the aim of your publication to the fordshire, Buckinghamshire and of publishing a video and a DVD. address given on the form. Bedfordshire. Today the surname For further details of the Please note that they MUST is relatively infrequent – there are gathering and the Glenister One- be copies of the same issue, only around 1,050 people with Name Study, contact Andy Glenis- not different ones, and they the surname in England and ter, Borrowdale, Barton Stacey, MUST have been published Wales, making it about the Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3RH, during the year 2003. Jour- 5,000th most common in the UK. tel: 01962 761444, email: nals from years other than The spread of the name was [email protected], or visit the 2003 will be disqualified. ❍ described by Dr. Ruth Glenister of website www.glenister.org

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 23 Report from Scottish 1901 censuses. Some sections will term people from long-term be refilmed and all entries double researchers who have different Association of Family keyed and subjected to quality needs. They are reviewing open- HisSupportt for armorialo bearings ry Societies control procedures, including ing hours and slightly longer using indexes produced by family hours might be implemented THE GUILD, as a member of the history societies. soon. The trial of opening one Scottish Association of Family A discussion document is to evening a week appears a success History Societies, is represented come out soon about the regis- (I understand the Guild chairman at council meetings every six tration system in Scotland but it was the first person to make use months and has a stand at its will not be proposing the 100- of the evening opening!). annual conference. year restrictions as in England The SAFHS 15th Annual Con- At the October 2003 meeting, and Wales. All public documents ference will be hosted by Central Robert Orr Blair, Lord Lyon King can be consulted at the offices in Scotland FHS at The Albert Halls, of Arms, Patron of SAFHS, Edinburgh because GROS have a Stirling, on Saturday, April 24. attended his first meeting. Martin duty to make public information Entitled In Loving Memory: A Tyson, Departmental Record Offi- available to callers. There is no Celebration of Graveyards, the cer, General Register Office for duty to make it available via the theme of the conference will be Scotland, gave an update of what Internet and it is unlikely that graveyards and their importance is happening. GROS are to pro- restrictions on more recent infor- to family, local and social vide slim indexes (surname, mation being available on the historians. Full details are avail- forename, age and sex) for the Internet will be changed. able from www.csfhs.org.uk or e- 1841 to 1871 censuses which will There is to be a reorganisation mail: [email protected], or be available on the website. They of the National Archive and the by sending an A5 SAE to the Con- will be employing contractors aim is to have it completed by ference Co-ordinator at Central and the work is to be completed 2006. All family history services Library, Corn Exchange Road, by end of March 2004 to the will be provided in one area and Stirling FK8 2HX. same standards as the 1891 and it is planned to separate short- GRAHAM TULEY

months, it will not be possible for President’s appeal for arms the Guild to receive its grant dur- ing its 25th Anniversary year. on our 25th anniversary DEREK A PALGRAVE President finds some support Guild of One-Name Studies I HAVE received just over 100 lege of Arms for the Guild to be [email protected] responses to my appeal that granted Armorial Bearings in its went out as a flyer with the last 25th anniversary year. issue of the Journal. The results are as follows: Kirsty joins the There is little doubt that a Those in favour represent majority of those who replied are approximately 75%, made up of Committee in favour of a petition to the Col- 43% prepared to give £10, 22% prepared to give £15 and 10% prepared to give more than £15. Those against repre- sent approximately 25% Slow The rate of response is quite slow – it has take well over a month for us to AT a recent meeting of the Guild hear from 100 mem- Committee, Kirsty Maunder was bers. co-opted onto the Committee. Unless we hear Kirsty, member 4014, lives in from the rest of the Reading, Berkshire. Her regis- membership over the tered one-name study is of the next three or four surname SILLIFANT.

24 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 Meredith book is heavy and pricey but worth it SEEKING MEREDITH ANCESTRY WORLDWIDE, Editor: Keith E. G. Meredith. Published by Meredith ing mention of a few websites, teries for others. Inevitably, the Miscellany, Hillside View, The Hol- including the Guild’s. section closes with a number of lies, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire Part II is the work of the edi- family trees. GL6 0AW, ISBN 0 945 3739 0 1. tor’s wife Mary. This section could The book is beautifully pro- Price £40 (minimum) + p&p. be a model for the presentation duced on high quality paper, of a family history, with many which enhances the numerous MY first reaction when Roy Stock- photographs of documentary diagrams and photographs scat- dill asked me to review this book, sources, individuals and artefacts. tered throughout the 529 pages. as I was waiting to give my talk at Included in this section is the The dust cover bears the Guild the Halsted Seminar, was that it autobiography of Alfred James badge, but what is missing is the looked rather daunting and Meredith, printed using a type- price. A phone call to Keith estab- heavy. I was wrong on the first face that mimics handwriting. lished that the production cost count but checked the second, Part III, Coal Miner to Chemist, was £80 per copy but the books the result being 1.335kg. was provided by Haydn Meredith can be purchased from the above My thoughts were tempered as a tribute to his father, Evan C. address for a minimum of £40 considerably when I found the Meredith. Haydn Meredith and plus postage and packing. It is author lived in Nailsworth, well the editor had played together as thoroughly worth the price. known to me through my own little boys. Evan Meredith was JANET HESKINS researches. The foreword by held in high regard in Abertillery, Derek Palgrave, who spoke of where life expectancy was short ATLAS & GUIDE TO LONDON Keith Meredith as a fellow scient- for miners and steel workers, as Circa 1908. CD-ROM. Published by ist and one-time member of the one who had achieved success in Cyrene Publications, 17 Lane End, Guild Executive, further warmed London. Evan’s memoirs are pub- Knaphill, Woking, Surrey GU21 me to the task. Still having reser- lished with very little editing. 2QQ. Price £11 (but see A View vations about the content, being Towards the end of the account From the Bookstall on page 21). entirely lacking in Welsh ancestry he mentions his nephew Keith, and Meredith ancestry in particu- who he describes as, “one of THIS is a delightful rendition of a lar, I dipped in. nature’s products, wild and small book that must have been a The book is divided into four uncontrollable” but later adds: “I tourist guide in its day, compris- parts, written by three authors: have reason to be proud of him.” ing 24 detailed maps of Central • Part I – Traps to avoid in This section can be read as a London and 20 of its environs, Welsh genealogy. social commentary on the life of which reach out over 25 miles. • Part II – A study of the history one who lived from 1895 to 1973, Each page has been scanned of the author’s family, starting in a world where, and converted to Adobe Acrobat • Part III – Memoirs of a coal “Contact beyond these [South format (pdf), so each map is very miner turned chemist. Wales] hills was practically nil,“ to clear. The entries for over 7,000 • Part IV – Memoirs of a the recipient of a Fellowship of streets in the index have been metallurgist. the Pharmaceutical Society of directly linked to the maps, so The first part by Keith Mere- Great Britain in 1969 – truly a that if you click on a street name dith deals with family history remarkable story. like, say, Downing Street, the research in general and problems The editor continues with the appropriate map is displayed concerning Welsh research in theme of autobiography in Part with Downing Street in the cen- particular. An example is the use IV, pulling no punches. He does tre. Additionally, the Acrobat of patronymics until well into the not minimise difficulties, whilst document has been bookmarked, 18th century. If this naming giving an insight into the many so you can select the correct system was still in use, the author successes in his life, including the index page before you search for would be known as Keith ap award of a PhD for work in your ancestor’s street. You can George ap George ap James ap metallurgy, with special reference export the maps to other pro- John. The Meredith name is cen- to nuclear fuels, in 1968. Follow- grams. tred either side of the Welsh ing retirement, and in need of a I recommend this CD, Marches, radiating out from this new interest in Mary’s estimation, especially as it’s a convenient fit focus, as illustrated by the 1881 family history took over. The edi- with any London research you do distribution map. Suggestions are tor’s complex family life as a small with the 1901 census. ❍ made for further reading, includ- child may help to unravel mys- HOWARD BENBROOK

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 25 Privacy arguments and those members who support Heraldic insignia continued access to GRO records I FEEL very strongly against the were anecdotal every success. President’s proposal that the Guild membership consider I READ David Weston’s letter on Prof John Coldwell the subject of privacy with inter- obtaining the above, as I have Member 2073 advised him by e-mail. In his leaf- est but found his statements Granary House anecdotal, with little fact or let, he suggests that it would cost Hampsthwaite of the order of a year’s subscrip- cogent argument to support his Harrogate HG3 2 HA case. I strongly encourage the tion from each member. at a rough guess, taking 2,000 mem- retention of the current UK open How many variants? availability of BMD information. bers and £10 donations, ths gives My reasons for this are: I’D like some clarification on the a cost of £20,000. 1) I have seen no evidence that issue of the number of surname In my opinion, there is genealogy research has been variants permitted for registra- something of far greater impor- used for any illegal or unethical tion on the GOONs list. When I tance to almost every member on purposes. registered my Hempsall interest which half that sum could use- 2) Family history research is last year, I confined my variants fully be spent: an electronic now one of the most popular to the maximum of five, as speci- archive of members’ work. Over hobbies and it would be wrong fied on the form. Thus, for my and over again, the topic pops up to allow a vociferous minority to £12 fee, I have Hempsall, plus – what happens to me work limit the enjoyment of the Hempsell, Hempshall, Hemshell, when I die? majority. and Hemsell. By so doing, I have Could I make a counter pro- 3) The question of individuals missed out on possible fruitful posal? Let the guild purchase two wishing to trace their true par- contacts with Hemsalls, Hem- computers to be located at two ents is one for individuals to shalls, Hempshills, Hemsills, different locations to hold dupli- decide and is no part of general Hempsolls, Hempswells, Hems- cate identical records, run by family history research. wells and Hempseeds volunteer active archivists in their 4) We must recognise the However, I now find, on con- own homes. They accept and rapidly changing world culture of sulting my 2003 Guild Register, store members’ records in elec- sharing and collaboration cata- that some are more equal than tronic format only, upgrading as lysed by the Internet. I am always others in this respect. and when needed to the latest amazed to find the vast amount For example , we have study economical storage format. Cur- of information freely available on 2619: Floid, Flood, Floode, Floody, rently, I would suggest records a massive range of subjects orig- Floud, Floyd, Floydd, Floyde, being sent in by members on inating from many countries. I Flude and Fluden, which I make home-burnt CD-ROMs and amal- have no doubt that the world will 10 variants. There are other gamated for storage on data CDs become a better place for this. similar cases in the list, e.g. Glib- as well as on the Guild compu- 5) There is a wide range of bely – 8 variants. Has this member ters. Thus, there would be four information available on paid £12 or £24? copies of the records at any one individuals, such as electoral If space is an issue, could I sug- time. records and credit worthiness, gest that we might adopt a This is far from ideal but it and this seems reasonable to me bracketing system? Thus, my would be a lot better than because individuals who wish to study could be abbreviated as : anything there is at present, and I enjoy the benefits of being part Hem(p)s(h)(w)e/a/i/oll am sure it would be used by a of the community should also be or perhaps with superscripts: large proportion of the p h/w e/i/o prepared to justify their rights to Hem s a ll membership. these privileges. The adverse con- sequence of allowing secrecy is Steve Tanner John Colloff that people hiding behind Member 4001 Member 2922 anonymity abuse their privileges Beili-glas 3 Milford Gardens which can lead to fraud and Rhydargaeau Appleton other anti-social behaviour. Carmarthen SA32 7HY Warrington WA4 5EF I wish the Editor Roy Stockdill [email protected] [email protected]

26 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2004 Regional Representatives as at December 1 2003 E-mail contact To contact a Regional Representative by e-mail, use the alias in the following format:- [email protected], with the name of the region replacing “scotland-north” as appropriate (put “-” instead of a space). Where there is no e-mail contact, the message will go to [email protected]

ENGLAND NORFOLK IRELAND COORDINATOR BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Mrs. Mary Griffiths Mick Merrigan See Hertfordshire See Oxfordshire 20 Knyvett Green 11 Desmond Avenue Ashwellthorpe Dún Laoghaire WE have vacancies for DERBYSHIRE Norwich NR16 1HA Co. Dublin Regional Representatives in Ron Duckett Tel: (353.1) 284-2711 the following areas: Outwood Hills Farm NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Lower Outwoods Road Dominic Johnson NEW ZEALAND BEDFORDSHIRE Burton on Trent DE13 0QX 33 Redhill Lodge Drive Mrs. Lily Baker BERKSHIRE Tel: 01283 561557 Red Hill 905 Wall Road CAMBRIDGESHIRE Nottingham NG5 8JH Hastings CHESHIRE DEVON CORNWALL Elizabeth Holliday OXFORDSHIRE SCOTLAND CUMBERLAND Caradon Dr. Wendy Archer ABERDEEN HAMPSHIRE Jubilee Road The Old Nursery Peter Bellarby LANCASHIRE Totnes Pump Lane North 13 Westfield Road LEICESTERSHIRE Devon TQ9 5BW Marlow Stonehaven LONDON Buckinghamshire SL7 3RD Kincardineshire NORTHAMPTONSHIRE DORSET Tel: 01628 485013 AB39 2EE SHROPSHIRE Phil Sherwood SUFFOLK Rock House SOMERSET SCOTLAND NORTH SUSSEX 20 Belfield Park Avenue Ken Dilkes Graham Tuley WARWICKSHIRE Weymouth DT4 9RE Clematis Cottage 26 Crown Drive YORKSHIRE NORTH Tel: 01305 770820 Whitstone Hill Inverness IV2 3NL. AUSTRALIA Pilton BA4 4DX Tel: 01463 230 446 CANADA WEST DURHAM Fax: 01463 230 446 CANADA EAST Dr David Higgitt STAFFORDSHIRE USA CENTRAL 36 Hill Meadows See Derbyshire SCOTLAND SOUTH USA NORTH EAST High Shincliffe Dr. James Floyd USA NORTH WEST Durham DH1 2PE SURREY 84 Pentland Terrace Tel: 0191 384 3979 Martin Gegg Edinburgh EH10 6HF WHY not devote just a little 4 Little Orchard Tel: 0131 445 3906 of your spare time to the ESSEX Woodham Guild by becoming a Jess Jephcott Addlestone KT15 3ED SOUTH AFRICA Regional Rep? Contact the 73 All Saints Avenue Brian Spurr Coordinator. Colchester CO3 4PA WILTSHIRE 32 Newport Avenue Richard Moore Glenashley GLOUCESTERSHIRE 1 Cambridge Close KwaZulu Natal 4051. Ken Grubb Swindon SN3 1JG. 5 Victoria Mansions UNITED STATES Malvern Road WORCESTERSHIRE USA SOUTH EAST Cheltenham Derek Gallimore Dr. John Cookson Gloucestershire GL50 2JH The Grange 13203 W. Heritage Woods Pl. 30 Pinewoods Avenue Midlothian VA 23112 HEREFORDSHIRE Hagley, Stourbridge Polly Rubery West Midlands DY9 0JF USA SOUTH WEST Medwam Tel: 01562 883908 Bill Bunning Edwyn Ralph Fax: 01562 885101 PO Box 5632, Irvine Bromyard HR7 4LY CA 92616-5632 Tel: 01885 483318 YORKSHIRE EAST Mobile: 07774 245436 Frank Hakney WALES 19 Church Street WALES NORTH & MID HERTFORDSHIRE Elloughton See WALES SOUTH & WEST Barbara Harvey East Yorkshire HU15 1HT. 15 Park Avenue Tel: 01482 668340 WALES SOUTH & WEST St. Albans AL1 4PB Geoff Riggs Tel: 01727 865631 YORKSHIRE WEST Peacehaven See Yorkshire East Badgers Meadow KENT Pwllmeyric David Cufley Chepstow 55 Broomhill Road Gwent NP6 6UE. Dartford DA1 3HT Tel: 01291 626417 Tel: 01322 223292 £ I G Q J J S a o 2 u S u n u . N i a 0 u l r d r 0

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Vol 8 Issue 5 January–March 2004