News of Guild Seminars, Annual Conference and Other Events GUILD OFFICERS

Vol 9 Issue 1 January–March 2006

Mapping stability and change in surname distribution

Was your ancestor a bellow farmer, baven maker or a harlot (no, not THAT kind!) The world’s leading publication for one-namers News of Guild seminars, Annual Conference and other events GUILD OFFICERS

CHAIRMAN Box G, 14 Charterhouse Buildings Peter Walker Goswell Road, London EC1M 7BA 24 Bacons Drive Tel: 0800 011 2182 Cuffley E-mail: [email protected] Hertfordshire Website: www.one-name.org EN6 4DU Registered as a charity in England 01707 873778 Guild information and Wales No. 802048 [email protected] Sales VICE-CHAIRMAN Paul Millington AS well as Guild publications, the President 58 Belmont Street Sales Manager has a supply of Jour- Derek A Palgrave MA FRHistS FSG Worcester nal folders, ties, lapel badges and Worcestershire back issues of the Journal. The Vice-Presidents WR3 8NN address is: Peter Goodall 01905 745217 Ernest Hamley [email protected] Howard Benbrook John Hebden 7 Amber Hill Peter Towey SECRETARY Camberley Kirsty Gray Surrey 11 Brendon Close GU15 1EB Tilehurst, Reading England Berkshire RG30 6EA E-mail enquiries to: Guild Committee 0118 941 4833 [email protected] The Committee consists of the [email protected] Officers, plus the following: Forum REGISTRAR Howard Benbrook Roger Goacher THIS online discussion forum is Rod Clayburn Springwood open to any member with access to Peter Copsey Furzefield Road e-mail. You can join the list by Barbara Harvey East Grinstead sending a message with your mem- Roy Rayment W Sussex RH19 2EF bership number to: [email protected] Ken Toll 01342 326663 Sandra Turner [email protected] To e-mail a message to the forum, send it to: TREASURER [email protected] Bookstall & Sales Manager Cliff Kemball Howard Benbrook 168 Green Lane Regional Representatives Forum Manager Chislehurst A LIST of Regional Representatives Sharon Symons Kent BR7 6AY of the Guild in a number of UK Regional Reps Co-ordinator 0208 467 8865 counties and overseas can be found Sandra Turner [email protected] on the inside back cover of this Website Manager Journal. If you are interested in Paul Millington EDITOR becoming a Regional Rep, please Roy Stockdill contact the Regional Representa- 6 First Avenue tives Co-ordinator, Sandra Turner SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Garston, Watford (address and phone number on the Executive Peter Walker Herts WD25 9PZ inside back cover). Marketing Kirsty Gray 01923 893735 Seminar Vacant [email protected] The Journal of One-Name Studies is published quarterly by the Guild of One-Name Studies and printed by Flexpress Ltd, 5 Saxby St, Leicester ISSN 0262-4842 © Journal of One-Name Studies Vol 9 Issue 1 January–March 2006

MAIN ARTICLES 6 How a DNA Project has produced discoveries in the Meates One-Name Study not possible with paper records alone – COVER STORY SUSAN MEATES relates the story of her DNA Project spanning several continents 11 Looking at ancient occupations – was your ancestor a bellow farmer, baven maker or a harlot (no, not THAT kind!) – COVER STORY JOHN HANSON finds some interesting occupations on websites and in census returns 14 Mapping stability and change in surname distribution – COVER STORY HOWARD MATHIESON looks at surname patterns of his Gloucestershire ancestors 17 How my Bradleys inter-married with Bulls, Boars, Birds, Butchers, Bakers, Berrys, Bodys and Broads JOHN BRADLEY indulges himself in a totally frivolous exercise GUILD REPORTS • NEWS • EVENTS 18 Wide variety of interesting talks at Lesser-Known Sources Seminar in Plymouth 19 Introduction to One-Name Studies Seminar at Bransgore 20 Seminars update • Gearing up for the Guild Annual Conference 21 How about becoming a Regional Rep • Guild One-Name Publications Award • Forthcoming Scottish conferences 23 Marriage Challenge update REGULARS 4 From the Chairman’s keyboard PETER WALKER 22 A View From The Bookstall HOWARD BENBROOK 24 Registrar’s Notes ROGER GOACHER 25 Reviews of new genealogy books and CDs 26 One-name mail – Your letters 26 The Last Word ROY STOCKDILL

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. The distribution list for this Journal, and the information in the Register Update, is based on the information held in the Guild database on the first of the month preceding the issue date.

3 Charity Commission’s greater scrutiny, so... Be sure to use your vote on Guild’s new Constitution

N LAST quarter‘s Journal I explained about the proposed Trustees face, we also intend to changes to the Guild’s Constitution. With this issue you should seek agreement to the provision receive a supplement with the proposed new Constitution and of Trustee Indemnity Insurance, an explanation of the changes we are making. In essence, the which is allowed by the Charity reasons we are revising the Constitution can be divided into internal Commission, but with strict limi- and external drivers. tations. For reasons explained in From the Guild‘s own internal Much has been written about the supplement, this has to be focus, we wish to change some “corporate governance” in the the subject of a separate vote. aspects of the way the Commit- commercial world, which has in The ballot process will be tee, the Executive and the various recent years been wracked by undertaken by Electoral Reform subcommittees work in order to scandals. Charities, too, face the Services (ERS) and papers will be improve our management of same challenge of demonstrating sent out separately to all eligible Guild activities, as well as updat- that they are properly run. members. ing some finance, membership Yet our current Constitution Votes need to be returned to and registration procedures to doesn‘t even mention that all the ERS by February 28. To be reflect current practice. Guild Committee members are approved, each resolution Externally, all charities now Trustees and legally liable for the requires a two-thirds majority of face the prospect of greater scru- operation of the Guild. So we are those voting — so please do use tiny by the Charity Commission. also making a number of changes your vote! In the meantime, if They need to demonstrate that to reflect the “best practice” for there are any changes that you they are genuinely charitable in charities as suggested by the don‘t understand or you would character and are run in a discip- Charity Commission itself. like further clarification, please lined, transparent way. Given the legal liability that don‘t hesitate to contact me. ❍ Digitising everything in the Guild Library

OLLOWING the review necessarily sent to us with the We feel sure you all now use of our library material objective of our making them word processors or desktop pub- and a trial with three available to others — for one lishing programs to produce your different scanning com- thing, we don‘t hold the newsletter and we would be panies, we have decided to copyright. Therefore, we would pleased to receive them in Word, proceed with the digitisation of make three pleas to all of you RTF or PDF formats. all our library collection. who have sent, or are still send- Thirdly, if you have past copies This will make it easier to dis- ing, your newsletters to us. in electronic format, we would be tribute material and, we hope, Firstly, can you please let us pleased to receive these, too. will make our archived studies know if you are happy for us to As regards depositing new and other documents more distribute your donated newslet- one-name material with the accessible than ever before. ters in digitised format to other library, we would now much pre- However, much of the material members on request? fer that this is donated on CD- we have comprises one-name Secondly, if you are still regu- ROM and Roger Goacher‘s newsletters that have been sent larly sending your newsletters to previous guidance on how to do to us over the years by individuals us, can you now please cease this has now been placed on the and one-name societies. In this sending a physical copy and send Guild website in the Members‘ case, the magazines were not us an electronic version instead? Room. ❍

4 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 Why not try receiving the Chairman’s e-mail Newsflash with an RSS reader?

AS THOSE of you with e-mail will messages via an RSS reader. RSS dom about doing a one-name know, I try to keep you updated stands for Really Simple Syndi- study. In a future Journal, I hope with news in between Journals cation and is a way of reading to describe how all these new via the Chairman‘s Newsflash. messages and news of your web technologies, such as RSS, When I sent out Newsflash 10 in choice from a multiplicity of “blogs” and Wikis can help you October, a number of Forum newsfeeds, mailing lists and with your one-name studies. members said they hadn‘t “blogs” all in one place. It‘s like received it and I went to a lot of having a daily newspaper where Free publicity trouble to re-transmit the News- you decide which columns are They say all publicity is good flash again, using a slightly going to appear in your personal- publicity and free publicity is different method. ised version. For those Forum even better. Indeed, editorial This is not a practical move for members who prefer the digest copy will bring far more exposure the future and we have to accept version, this is an alternative way than paid advertising. It was, that e-mail is never a guaranteed to read the list and avoids the therefore, particularly welcome delivery service. I sent out to many problems that have when Roy Stockdill, our Editor, 1,572 members and only a dozen recently plagued the digests. managed to get a slot in Practical of you reported that you hadn‘t Additionally, I‘ve been experi- Family History for the Guild to received it. Frankly, this is well menting with the concept of explain what one-name studies within the industry average reli- providing an RSS feed of Guild are about. ability for e-mail delivery. news to supplement the Journal, Given PFH is aimed at relative the Forum and Newsflashes. novices in genealogy, the article Bounced Many organisations have now was not touting for new mem- Therefore in future, I will send switched from e-mail communi- bers, but rather explaining why out Newsflashes in the normal cations to RSS because of the Guild members might be able to way once only, and inform the unreliability of e-mail and the help readers with their own fam- Forum when each one has been common problem of mass e-mails ily history research. For those transmitted. Of course, some being classified as spam. who would like to read my arti- Newsflash messages get bounced cle, it was published in the back to me. Initiative December 2005 issue (No 96). Despite our constant pleas to Although RSS requires you to you to keep us informed of any take the initiative to read your Ancestry 1851 index change of your e-mail address, daily RSS feed material, in every THE FLOOD of new data sources about a dozen or more don‘t get other respect this is, like e-mail, a for us to capture for our one- delivered because we don‘t have “push” technology where news is name studies continues. Ancestry your correct address. This also fed to you, rather than you hav- has now released the indexed means your mail via your Guild ing to go look for it. 1851 census, one of the most alias ([email protected]) But there are several other important sources to link your won‘t be getting through, either. ways of using the web which are families back to the 18th century. Please remember to tell us of any gaining in popularity. For my own Additionally, hardly a week changes, either via the form in personal one-name study, I’ve goes by without some new online the Members‘ Room or by send- started keeping a “blog”, the source being mentioned on the ing an e-mail to changes@one- web equivalent of a diary. I may Forum. I had the pleasure of name.org. not be Pepys, but it’s a fun way of speaking on the topic of sources Talking of the Forum, some of recording all the different at our recent seminar at Brans- you don‘t like to subscribe to it enquiries you get and new infor- gore, but I found it hard to fit in because of the volume of mail it mation that comes to light. very many in a relatively short brings. Even if you don‘t sub- Then there are Wikis. A Wiki is talk. scribe, don‘t forget that you can a cooperative project to create Perhaps I can end this column read the Forum via the message web-based information in an easy by repeating my plea from last archive on the web. But did you way – somewhat similar to the summer. Don‘t let these new know the following? If you go to way many of you have created streams of data deflect you from the bottom of the Rootsweb Guild Profiles. By the time you your goal of publishing archive page, you will now see an read this, I hope to have something on your one-name orange button marked RSS. This announced a trial of a Guild Wiki, study. I‘m sure the Editor would allows you to read the Forum where you can all add your wis- be pleased to see your article! ❍

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 5 How a DNA Project has produced discoveries in the Meates One- Name Study not possible with paper records alone By Susan C. Meates

ORE AND more one-namers are fas- an immigrant from Ireland and the Australian cinated by the “new genealogy” of Meates descend from an immigrant from London. DNA testing and introducing it into After years of research, I have determined that their one-name studies in an there were five Meates lines whose most distant attempt to establish whether different families ancestor resided in Ireland, one Meates line whose with the same surname can be connected most distant ancestor resided in Worcestershire and together. In this special two-part feature, one then London, and one Meates line in Wales. Are all of the Guild’s American members, SUSAN these Meates related? MEATES, relates her extensive work on a DNA Project as part of the Meates One-Name Study. Starting the DNA Project THE MEATES DNA PROJECT now has over 200 In 2000 I had my first Meates visitor, who was participants in 15 countries. Using DNA testing, I then living in London and whose family tree went have made many discoveries which would not have back to Ireland. It was a shock to discover that we been possible with just the paper records. both had the same eyes and we wondered if we These include: were related. Since there were DNA tests for • Determining who is related and who is not. paternity, we wondered if there were DNA tests that • Which surnames are variants. would tell us if we were related. • Discovering a previously unknown variant. I started hunting on the Internet and found the • Which surnames have evolved from a different research by Professor Brian Sykes, utilising DNA origin. testing of the Y chromosome for men with the • Identifying errors in the connections in family surname Sykes, and a small company in Houston, trees. Texas, called Family Tree DNA. My impression from • Finding the ancestral homeland for one sur- the websites was that DNA testing was very compli- name. cated, so I just bookmarked the two sites and the • Getting a much clearer understanding of the priority of DNA testing dropped to the bottom of evolution of the surnames and the number of points my list. of origin. In December, 2001, tragedy struck. My brother The project has been very exciting and interest- was killed in an automobile accident just six weeks ing. The DNA Project has been of tremendous value after my mother died. My brother was the last to my Meates One-Name Study. known male in my family tree back to 1790. As I drove around aimlessly trying to cope with the Background events, I remembered that I had wanted to start a My one-name study evolved from my genealogy DNA Project. If I didn’t get a sample from my research. When I began my family history research, brother, I could never find out about my family tree. all I had to work with was my father’s name and his Frantic, I raced back to my computer, to find the father’s name, and no idea where my grandfather bookmarks for DNA testing. Struggling to make had come from or how or when he travelled to the sense of the information and choose a vendor, I USA. It took a lot of effort, and some luck, to dis- remembered Chris Pomery’s portal and turned to cover the family had gone from Ireland to Canada, the website for help. I also sent an e-mail to Family and then my grandfather emigrated to the US. Tree DNA, since they were the closest vendor and Meates is a very rare surname. With the advent of had the most surname projects listed at Chris’s the Internet and online phone books, I discovered in portal. In less than 20 minutes, even though it was a 1996 that the only households in the US were those Saturday night just before midnight, I got a of myself, my mother, and brother. I searched the response from Family Tree DNA and then a phone Internet for six months, and didn’t find a single call. They would air out a test kit to the medical Meates. As the popularity of the Internet grew, I examiner in Maryland. eventually found a few Meates. They were located At that point in time, in December, 2001, there in Ireland, England, Wales, Australia and New were two different tests of the Y chromosome Zealand. The New Zealand Meates all descend from available from Family Tree DNA. One test was for 12

6 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 markers, and the other test was for 21 markers. tree had three sons and a daughter. The progeni- Since I could upgrade the 12 markers to 21 markers tor’s Y chromosome is represented by the solid black at a later date, it didn’t really matter which I square. The daughter would not inherit the Y selected. Family Tree DNA stored the DNA samples chromosome. for 25 years, so I would have my brother Richard’s The first son of the progenitor had only daugh- sample on file if any additional tests were develo- ters, so the Y chromosome was not passed down in ped in the future. I decided to select 12 markers. this branch after the son. The second and third son Today, Family Tree DNA offers a 12 marker, 25 had sons, who had sons, so today there are five marker and 37 marker test. The standard for my surviving males in this tree. For this example family DNA Project is now 37 markers. tree, the ideal situation would be to test a descen- dent of the second and third son. Most family trees Sample After getting a sample from my brother, the next step would typically be to validate the result for the family tree by testing a distant relative in the family tree. Since there were no other known males in my tree back to 1790, I had to skip this step. The value of the test Figure 1 – a small section of the Y chromosome is passed from comes from comparing father to son, virtually unchanged. The solid squares above results of different men. A illustrate the path of this section of the Y chromosome string of 12 or 25 numbers by itself doesn’t have much value. Therefore, I had have more generations and breadth. Therefore, in to find some other Meates to take the test. My first those cases, the two most distant males are tested objective was to test descendants from the other for each family tree. The reason to test two males is Meates lines, before I looked at variants such as to validate the result for the tree. In addition, the Mate, Mates and Meats. I decided to start with result for the progenitor of the family tree would be approaching the Meates men who had shown determined. interest in DNA testing back in 2000. I sent off my first e-mail asking a Meates male to Brick wall participate. In less than a day, I had my first partici- For Ireland, the five Meates family trees had all pant, who was representing an Ireland Meates line. hit a brick wall in the genealogy research in either In early 2001 I received the result for my brother, the early 1800s or late 1700s, due to the lack of which is shown below: paper records. A primary relevant parish register was destroyed in the fire at the Four Courts Building 12 marker result for Richard K. Meates in 1922. In addition, except for a few fragments, no 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 census records exist for Ireland prior to 1901. Documentary evidence will probably never be found Table 1 – 12 marker result for Richard K. Meates for these lines to determine whether any of the lines The result provided from a Y DNA test is a count connect. DNA testing was the only hope for us to of short repeats of DNA found at specific locations determine if any Meates of Ireland were related. on the Y chromosome. These locations are called In the early days of the DNA Project, when the markers. The Y chromosome is found only in men. vendor upgraded their 21 marker test to a 25 Men have an X and a Y chromosome, and females marker test, a decision was made to set the standard have two X chromosomes. Scientists have discovered for my project as 25 markers. The additional cost for that a small portion of the Y chromosome is passed the participants was small compared to the addi- from father to son, typically unchanged. By testing tional information available from the test. this small portion you can compare the results of It was an exciting day when the second result two men and determine if they had a common came back from the lab. My brother and another ancestor and approximately when the common Ireland Meates line were an exact match at 25 ancestor occurred. markers, as shown in Table 2 below. This type of Figure 1 shows the Y chromosome being passed match is also called a 25/25 match, or a genetic from father to The first two results son in each gen- Richard Meates 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 eration. The pro- Greg Meates 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 genitor in the example family Table 2 – the first results for two male Meates

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 7 distance of 0. This DNA evidence showed that we manager. This type of analysis is also helpful in shared a common ancestor, which the scientist call identifying mistaken connections in family trees. the Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA). Though After receiving the first two results, it became the DNA does not identify the common ancestor, it easier to recruit participants. Over several months, does provide a time frame for this person. The time results came back for all five lines of Meates with frame is expressed as a probability for different time the progenitor in Ireland. These results are shown in frames (Table 3, below). Table 4 (opposite page). The two num- Time to the Most Recent Common Ancestor bers highlighted 25/25 Exact match in blue are called Time Frame 100 years 200 years 300 years 400 years 500 years 600 years mutations. We Probability 61.17% 84.92% 94.15% 97.73% 99.12% 99.66% know they are mutations, since Table 3 – time probability to the Most Recent Common Ancestor for a 25/25 match multiple persons Since we knew our trees did not connect after 1854, when the one line emigrated to Australia and then New Zealand, we therefore knew that the common ancestor occurred prior to this time. According to the time chart above, the common ancestor most likely occurred between 1500 and 1850. Participants in a DNA Project are typically provided with a Certificate of Results, as shown in Figure 2 (right), and a page at the vendor’s website where they can view their result, see whom they match and get additional information, such as the time to the Most Recent Common Ancestor. Upgraded When a 37 marker test became available, the participants upgraded. A 37 marker test provides Figure 2 – Results Certificate for a 25 marker Y test additional information and will estimate more precisely the time to the common ancestor. The 37 representing different lines have one result for a marker test result for the first two participants went marker and only one line has another result. A from a 25/25 match to a 37/37 match. The probabil- mutation is the scientists’ word for change. When a ity of the time frame to the common ancestor was male is created and the segment of the Y chromo- impacted by these additional markers matching. At some is being copied, occasionally an error occurs, a 25/25 match, the 99% probability doesn’t occur which results in more or less copies of a short, until 500 years. At 37 markers the 99% probability repeated segment of DNA at a location. This muta- occurs at 300 years. This information indicates that tion is then passed down to the males in future the common ancestor between my brother and generations. another Ireland Meates line occurred most likely in Mutations can occur in current generations or the last 300 years. have occurred in past generations. Mutations are Figure 3 (below) shows the analysis that is avail- estimated to occur about every 500 generations per able to the participants, as well as the project marker. Mutations that occur in the distant past are very valuable for identifying branches off the ancestral tree. Therefore, I needed to investi- gate these mutations to determine when they occurred. Did the mutations occur in current generations or in the past? If the mutations occurred in current generations we would consider them “resolved“ and not factor them in to our analysis of the genetic distance, or degree of relatedness, of the five family trees. In the beginning of the Figure 3 – time to Most Recent Common Ancestor at 37 markers Meates Surname Project, with

8 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 the first five participants the validation step had you can see from Table 6, the Ireland Meates and been skipped. Validation is where you also test a the London Meates aren’t related. This was very distant male in the family tree. If this step had been interesting news. Even though they shared the same done, then the mutations may have been automati- rare surname, they aren’t related. cally resolved by testing others when a mutation is After these exciting discoveries, the next step was found until you identify the result for the progeni- to postal mail those with the surname Mates in tor of the family tree. Ireland, to find participants. The goal was to deter- To accomplish both validation and mutation mine if the Mates of Ireland were related to the resolution, the next step was to test additional Meates of Ireland. From the parish registers in the 25 marker results: five Meates lines with the progenitor in Ireland 1700s, it looked like possibly some Meates became Mates, but the 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 evidence was inconclusive. 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 28 12 14 15 15 At the same time, there were 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 16 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 many migrations in and out of the 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 parish due to the coal mining 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 industry. This factor, combined with Table 4 – 25 marker results for 5 Meates lines with the progenitor in Ireland the lack of other Ireland records such as wills, made it impossible to males. As a result of this testing, I was able to draw a firm conclusion. determine that both the mutations shown in Table 4 There are multiple Mates lines with the progeni- occurred in current generations. One mutation tor in Ireland. Many of these lines left Ireland during occurred with a participant and the other mutation the famine in the mid-1800s, so finding the lines occurred with that participant’s father. today elsewhere in the world was often difficult. Mates is a surname with multiple 25 marker results: ancestral result for five Ireland Meates lines points of origin in multiple coun- 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 tries, so a Mates in the USA could 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 be from Ireland or Bohemia or 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 Germany, or elsewhere. Eventually, 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 participants were found to repre- 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 sent each Mates line with a progenitor in Ireland. Table 5 – 25 marker results, ancestral result for 5 Ireland Meates lines After tracking down the last Therefore, these mutations are not considered in Mates needed for the Ireland Mates trees, whom I our analysis. These mutations are considered found in Romania, we then had the results for the resolved. With the mutations resolved, we have also Ireland Mates. In Table 7 the lines have been vali- established the ancestral result for each line. The dated and any mutations found were resolved as ancestral result is the result for the progenitor of occurring in current generations. One result is each line. All Meates lines with the progenitor in shown for all the Mates lines that have a progenitor Ireland are now a 25/25 match, as shown in Table 5. in County Wicklow, since they all match. As you will see from the chart, the Ireland Meates Expanding the project and Mates are all related, except for the line to It was now time to find out if the Meates family County Kildare. This Mates line just appears in tree traced back to London/Worcestershire was Ireland in the early 1800s. I expect eventually, as related. Finding out this information would be very Mate and Mates are tested in other countries, to find a match for 25 Marker Results: Meates of Ireland and Meates of London this line. If a Ireland Meates 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 match isn’t London Meates 15 23 15 10 15 16 13 13 11 14 12 30 16 8 9 11 11 26 15 20 29 11 11 14 16 found, then most likely an illegiti- Table 6 – 25 marker results for Meates of Ireland and Meates of London mate birth helpful, to determine whether to keep looking for occurred where the male son took on the mother’s documentation of a connection. Two participants surname of Mates, or an informal adoption were found for the London Meates family tree. occurred. Their result matched each other, identifying the Since the above testing, two more Ireland Mates result for the progenitor of the London Meates. As lines have been discovered in the USA. It is believed

25 marker results: Meates of Ireland and Mates of Ireland ancestral result Ireland Meates 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 Ireland Mates – Wicklow 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 Ireland Mates – Kildare 13 24 14 11 11 14 12 12 12 14 13 30 16 9 10 11 11 25 15 18 30 15 15 17 17 Table 7 – 25 marker results for Meates of Ireland and Mates of Ireland

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 9 that they both go back to Arklow parish in County line. For example, the surviving male for the Meats Wicklow, for which the parish register was of Gloucestershire was found in the Republic of destroyed in 1922. The DNA test result shows that South Africa. The results for the five Meats lines and both these new Mates lines are also related to the the Meates of Wales are shown in Table 8. Meates/Mates of Ireland. The Meats of England and Wales are related to The results from DNA testing Meates and Mates the Meates/Mates of Ireland, and share a common lines of Ireland was very informative. All the family ancestor. This was a very exciting discovery. It would trees are related, except for the Mates whose be easy to assume from the surname that they were progenitor was in County Kildare. Most likely, due related. It would also be easy to assume the Meates to the destruction of records, I will never find any of London are related but they aren’t. DNA testing supporting documentation to connect these family provided evidence that hadn’t been found in the trees. The participants in the DNA Project were paper records. The Meates of Wales aren’t related to thrilled with finding out that they were related. anyone. This also was quite interesting information. Some had spent decades looking for any records to The next step of the project was to test the take their tree back further or to find a connection surnames Mate and Mates with the progenitor in to another Meates tree. the UK. One expectation is that a match might be The earliest occurrence of the surname I have found for the London Meates, who just appear in found so far in Ireland is in 1708. From the start of Worcestershire in the 1700s and later migrate to Ireland civil registration to 1995 there are a little London. In Worcestershire, the surname is recorded over 700 Meates/Mates events registered. In the as Mietts, Meiats, and Mates. The Mate and Mates early years of civil registration, there were often lines tested so far do not match the London Meates. gaps as long as 18 years with no events. This evi- In a search for a match for the London Meates, dence, plus the population of Meates and Mates in the surname Matt and Matts are now being consid- Ireland, indicate they came from somewhere else. ered as perhaps the prior form, and males with To find the answer to where they came from, it those surnames are being contacted to participate. was time to start DNA testing the surname Meats. From a frequency distribution study, the surname This surname is found in England and Wales. From Matts appears to have originated in Warwickshire, research, Meats lines had been established. These so a migration to Worcestershire would be feasible. family trees were traced to Derbyshire, Nottingham- There are quite a few lines of Mate and Mates in shire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Wales. the UK and testing is continuing. For the lines tested There is also a Meates line in Wales where the to date, there are two Mate lines and one Mates surname is recorded as Meats when the family first line that match the above Meats/Mates/Meates group, and seven other different 25 Marker results: five Meats lines ancestral result results. The majority of these trees 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 that don’t have matches just 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 appear in London and migrations 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 from Continental Europe are 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 suspected. 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 This theory will be verified or Meates/Mates of Ireland ancestral result determined to be incorrect later in 12 22 15 10 13 15 11 14 11 12 11 28 15 8 9 8 11 24 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 the project when testing is com- Meates of Wales pleted for all relevant surnames 13 23 14 10 14 14 11 14 11 12 11 27 15 8 9 8 11 23 16 20 28 14 14 16 16 and family trees globally. It is also possible that some family trees Table 8 – 25 marker results for Mates, Meates and Meats with the surnames Matt or Matts arrived. There is also a Meats family tree in France evolved to Mate or Mates. The next issue of the who trace their tree back to Nottinghamshire. Journal will carry Part 2 of this article, which covers The same approach was followed that worked so many more exciting discoveries. well for Ireland. For each Meats family tree, at least These include the information from upgrading all two distant males were needed to test. Postal tests to 37 markers, where a higher mutation rate mailings were used to find participants who were results in mutations which define major branches in not already known. Most of the people who the ancestral tree back to the adoption of the responded had e-mail. It is easier when a participant surname, as well as combining DNA testing with has e-mail, though not essential. research in early records to discover the ancestral Participants are mailed a test kit by the vendor, homeland and unknown variants, as well as valu- with a short release form to sign that enables them able information discovered about the evolution of to participate in matching, where they see the name the surname. ❍ and e-mail of whom they match and the other Susan C. Meates person sees their name and e-mail. Member 3710 To test all the Meats trees, a global hunt was [email protected] sometimes required to find a surviving male for a www.meates.org

10 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 Looking at ancient occupations – was your ancestor a bellow farmer, baven maker or a harlot (no, not THAT kind!)

AS YOUR ancestor a bellow farmer, a below which shows the distribution of the names baven maker or a harlot? The first is a with our old friend Surname Atlas, which uses the “person responsible for the care and data from the 1881 census of Britain to draw distri- maintenance of the church organ”, and bution maps, and you will see that while they not a very common one in more modern times. appear in most counties, each has its own distinct The other two do, however, appear in the 1881 area. census. A baven maker was a maker of kindling and Don’t be drawn into assumptions about a sur- a harlot has been defined as a loose woman since name, either. I found a marriage only recently to the 15th century, yet in the 14th century was “a someone with the name HUSTLER – in fact, it is a male servant, attendant or menial” variant of OSTLER, according to my Oxford Diction- You could be forgiven for thinking that this is ary of Surnames. going to be an article about occupational surnames So where does this lead us? To the point that but it isn’t. While there are a number around us many who say they are family historians are, in fact, every day – Fletcher, Cooper, Whitesmith, Archer, for simply name collectors. Our obsession – and most example (for a list of some have a look at one-namers are obsessed – means that we should be www.namenerds.com/uucn/listofweek/jobnames.html) more interested in the family as a whole and look at – they do, however, appear to be the more common the social and local issues effecting the family as surnames and, therefore, unlikely well. to be the subject of a one-name This obviously covers a wide area study. I am not saying that there of research and I want to look at aren’t any occupational names in the occupational side of this and the Guild – I just haven’t had the explore some of the places where chance to check each of the names you may find information to help for its derivation. you on the way. That is not to say that occupational surnames aren’t of interest. Take for example CD and books these three names which all have the same basic Let’s start by looking at some of the information meaning – Fuller, Tucker and Walker. All have a basic that is available on CD-ROM. One of the best I have meaning of “a dresser of cloth”. You could be obtained is the Dictionary of Occupational Terms forgiven for thinking that they are common all over from the Open University at... the country. However, take a look at the diagram www.open.ac.uk/socialsciences/osfach/ osfachsubset/ osfachinfopopsosfach_dictionary.html This CD has the full definition and grouping of all of the occupations that were in use in the late 19th and early 20th century and is ridiculously cheap at only £12.95 (overseas postage extra). Another CD-ROM that may also be of interest is The British Workman 1865, from... www.youroldbooksandmaps.co.uk ...which is “dedicated to the Industrial Classes” and, according to the website, “propaganda and satire at its best”. Archive CD Books have many CDs covering occupations, including the following for Cornwall, Fish, Tin & Copper or Cornwall, its Mines & Miners – a copy of a book from 1869 on the occupations at the time – and Distribution of Fuller, Tucker and Walker in 1881

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 11 The University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories website The Miner’s Son, an 1885 story of a tin mining and rmhh.co.uk/occup/ community. Don’t forget, either, the range of CDs If you can’t find what you want there, then try available from several companies of trade direc- entering the name of the occupation and tories, though not a lot of good if your ancestors “definition” into a search engine. If you get too were labourers like most of mine. But even if your many hits, then try adding the word “occupation” ancestors were agricultural labourers, don’t despair as well. – there is always a chance that yours could be like Guild member Jeanne Bunting’s ancestor Joseph Digital directories Shepherd, who turned out to be a lay preacher on There is the extensive range of trade directories Sundays, often walking miles to preach.. available online at the Digital Library of Historical There are also many books around on occupa- Directories – www.historicaldirectories.org. You may tions including the Society of Genealogists also find details of some elusive publications and (www.sog.org.uk) excellent My Ancestors series. occupational lists in the Society of Genealogists' These include, Policeman, Coalminer, Merchant catalogue that is now online at www.sog.org.uk/ Seaman and the new My Ancestor worked in the sogcat/. If your ancestor was on the railways, then Theatre. you may also want to try the Railway Ancestors FHS The first port of call with the Internet is a site for at www.railwayancestors.fsnet.co.uk. definitions. I have several bookmarked, including: In doing the research for my talk at the seminar www.gendocs.demon.co.uk/trades.html in Sunderland in August, even I was surprised at the amount of information that one could find on the Internet. Yes, it is a great source for background information but there are some real gems out there. For example, I found a list on quarrymen employed in the West Country at freepages.genealogy.rootsweb. com/~stonemen/ ...or there is the National Database of Mining Deaths and Injuries at... www.cmhrc.pwp. blueyonder.co.uk I mentioned at the beginning that two of the occupations were listed on the 1881 census. It is, of course, poss- A petition to the Treasury from Portland, Dorset, quarrymen in 1735 ible to search for an occu-

12 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 Henry Baker of Bethnal Green who described himself as “Artist of Fireworks”. Unfortunately, with Ancestry the 1881 is the only census that you can search for occupations in, but you can search for them on the 1861 census using 1837Online at www.1837online.com I could only find five prostitutes living in Lon- don but found 390 with an occupation starting with “watch” and 1,843 starting with “shoe”. Now, just because you don’t want to use the 1881 census on Ancestry (and using the indexes are free), then you are not lost. It is A search for lion tamers on the 1881 census at Ancestry reveals four entries possible to search for pation using the online version at occupations on the CD-ROM version of the 1881. www.ancestry.co.uk. The figure shows the listing of You do, however, need at least Version 3.0 in lion tamers and if you look for “Tiger” there is order to be able to access the advanced search. Charles Bigtop, the tiger slayer, and 16-year-old Having called up the advanced search screen, you Sarah Martin who was a tiger head mounter! Inter- enter “occ:” followed by a space and then what you estingly, you will also find over 400 prostitutes, two are looking for in the occupation. concubines and over 130 people whose occupation contains “Sagger Maker”. Wild card You will find all sorts of obscure ones as well – You can of, course, use a wild card at the begin- Jules Qulard, Christmas card maker, a number of ning but if you are doing it using CD-ROMs, then it cosaque makers (bonbon or Christmas crackers) and can take a time for the result to appear. The figure over 100 with "firework" in the title, including shows the search screen looking for “watch*” and you can see some of the terms that it has found. Hopefully, I have given you food for thought and something else to while away those odd moments when you are lost for ideas. Finally, if you want to have some fun have a look at the quiz at... edsitement.neh.gov/ lesson_images/lesson482/ occupational.pdf

JOHN HANSON FSG Member 2572 16 Audley Mead Bradwell Village Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK13 9BD [email protected] Searching for occupations including the word “watch” on the 1881 census CDs

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 13 at work, the industry dominated the economic life of the parish. The cloth workers recorded in 1608 were 19 clothiers, 76 weavers, 33 fullers and three dyers.1 The 18th century was an era of growth and prosperity for the cloth-making industry and Stroud was one of the principle beneficiaries of this development2. The Gloucestershire Records Office database records 36 references to the Dangerfield surname with identifiable occupations. Of these references, 21 are textile-related activities3. Clearly, the success of the surname in the area is due at least in part to the well being of the textile industry. eographers have long been intrigued by Prof Hey contends that within this area our shire was a major textile producing area. Records the non-random nature of distributions. ancestors were probably much more mobile than suggest that the industry dates to at least the late Problematic As a practitioner, I was particularly inter- researchers have in the past given them credit for. 14th century. The survival of the surname has been far more ested in Professor David Hey’s presenta- Additionally, he concluded that distinctive surnames With reference to the Stonehouse/Stroud region, problematic within the fringe of the distribution. tion featuring surname distributions at last year’s were frequently confined to the “country” in which three tuckers recorded in 1381 provide the earliest Migration theory suggests people are either Conference and AGM at Wyboston Lakes. they originated. evidence of the cloth-making industry in the parish. “pushed” away from something unsatisfactory or Prof Hey demonstrated that surnames exhibit Two fulling mills were recorded there circa 1513 and “pulled” toward something they perceive as being remarkable permanence and stability within specific Pattern by the early 17th century, when at least eight were better. Whether pushed or pulled, the fringe area regions and sub-regions of England. By way of The presence of the Dangerfield surname in has generally been characterised by small numbers explanation, he introduced a spatial concept which Gloucestershire is consistent with Prof Hey’s observa- of unsustainable surname occurrences. he defined as an individual’s “country”. tions. It may also be possible to identify factors However, on at least two instances prior to the The term does not refer to the geopolitical entity, which underlie the structure of the distribution. 20th century, the surname was able to maintain a but rather that area which an individual knows, Specifically, changes in the local economy and firm foothold outside of the core area. By the mid- experiences and feels an emotional attachment to. technological developments can be shown to influ- 18th century, the surname appeared to have ence the pattern. become well established in the Coaly, Dursley and Between the years 1562 and 1850, Wotton-under-Edge areas of Gloucestershire (Figure the IGI records 790 Dangerfield 2). Within this sub-region the forename Daniel(e) christenings in Gloucestershire. Of was frequently found, suggesting a family connec- these, 60% were to be found within a tion may have been present. three-mile radius of Stonehouse/Kings Daniel of Coaly, born in Woodchester in 1674 and Stanley and 75% within a six-mile married in Stroud in 1706, is described in his will of radius. Maps drawn at 50-year intervals 1748 as a rug maker. The Gloucestershire Records demonstrate the essential character of Office database returned 76 records referencing rug the distribution. making, 39 with place references within the period 1647 and 18014. The locations of these records have Core been plotted on Figure 2. First a “core” as described above, and second, a “fringe” in which small Rug making numbers of christenings are evident at Rug making is clearly spatially concentrated south scattered locations outside the inner of the Stroudwater valley and it is tempting to make core. The persistence of the surname in a causal association with the distribution of the the inner core region is the most not- Dangerfield surname in this area. able feature of the distribution. Figure A second instance in which the surname became 1 illustrates these elements for the firmly established outside the core area occurred in period 1600 to 1650. the late 18th and early 19th century (see Figure 3 on A major factor influencing the the following page). The Stroudwater Canal system strength of surnames within a began construction in 1775. Additions and improve- “country” is the opportunity for liveli- ments continued well into the early 19th century5. hood. Is the local economy such that The impact of the canal system on the surname individuals might prosper and per- distribution cannot be discounted, as six adult males petuate the family line? described as “watermen” or “boatmen” are listed in Historically, this region of Gloucester- the 1851 Gloucestershire census. These individuals resided in Saul, Frampton and Gloucester. "Is the local economy such that individuals The 19th century was a period of change in the textile industry of the Stroudwater valley. Mills might prosper and perpetuate the line?" became larger and more mechanised. The larger mills increasingly employed power looms and relied

14 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 15 relied less on cottage weavers6. The 1851 and the 1881 census reflect these changes. The numbers of Dangerfield individuals involved in occupations related to the textile trades declined from 29 to 17 respectively. Many of the smaller mills failed to adjust to the changes in technology and the mills were adapted to other uses. Ironically, the Gussage Mill and Bliss Mills were later to be used by William Danger- field in his stick making business7. The Dangerfield population in Gloucester- shire fell by 40% between 1851 and 1900, with an increasing proportion of its numbers found in larger urban centres such as Bristol, Chelten- ham and Gloucester (Figure 4.) In the future, urbanization would continue to destabilize the long established population pattern. As the twentieth century began to unfold, the impact of rail transportation and the resurgence of a neglected highway system would continue to shrink the world and expand the country of the Dangerfield surname. ❍

References 1 British History Online. Source: Stroud: Econ- omic history. A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume XI, N. M. Herbert (Editor) (1976). URL: www.british-history.ac.uk/ report.asp?compid=19061andstrquery=stroud#s3

2 Ibid

3 Gloucestershire Records Office URL www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/genealogy/ genealogy.dll

4 ibid

5 The Cotswold Canal Trust URL www.cotswoldcanals.com/history.htm

6 British History Online. Source: Stroud: Econ- omic history. A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume XI, N. M. Herbert (Editor) (1976).URL: www.british-history.ac.uk/ report.asp?compid=19061andstrquery=stroud#s3

7 Stroud News and Journal Thursday, December 14, 1976. Topic of the Week, The Dangerfield Family

HOWARD MATHIESON Member 4328 616 Borebank Street Winnipeg, MB R3N 1G2 Canada [email protected] www.members.shaw.ca/sdangerfield

16 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 How my Bradleys inter-married with Bulls, Boars, Birds, Butchers, Bakers, Berrys, Bodys and Broads (A totally frivolous exercise from the warped mind of a Lincolnshire GOON) By John Bradley

AVING CONDUCTED a one-name study for but perhaps eco-warriors of days gone by tied the many years and, in the process, accumu- knot with spouses called Flowers, Flora, Plant and lated thousands upon thousands of Hedges, Seeds and Berry, Woods and Trees, Forrest, BRADLEY births, marriages and deaths, I Groves, Holly, Beech, Oak, Elms and Redwood. decided to take a look at the range of surnames that have connected with mine over time. • Slightly smutty Having discovered betrothals to Bishop, Knight Marriage ceremonies have occurred whereby and Rook, it seemed that perhaps some kind of Bradleys have become espoused to Allman, Chippen- generic grouping was possible. For no reason at all, dale, Body, Broad, Pert and Boobier, Crutchley, save amusement value, I have taken the time to Jiggles, Ruff, Cockram and Seed, Pett, Whipp, analyse the “other halves” to see whether any Ramsbottom and Bliss, Savage and Mycock, Justin, insight might be gained into the motives, interests Cock, Tinkler and Peed, Gotobed, Laycock, Trollope, or proclivities of my namesakes’ suitors. Fanny, Gobin, Blewitt and Spittle, Overy and Coyle, Sleep and Lovegrove, Nock and Rumble, Peaker, • Food and drink Winks, Gripper and Nutter, Laycock, Dearlove, Many bearers of the Bradley name evidently Cockin, Daddy and Kid, Allcock, Dicks and O’Toole, married with a view to pursuing gastronomic inter- Umpleby, Longbottom, Sidebottom and Moon. ests by wedding spouses called Cook, Burn, Fryer, By way of digression, I have noted that a John Butcher, Baker, Rolls, Wheatfill and Bunn, Cheese- Bradley lived at Boca Chica and Ellen Bradley lived at man, Dinar, Chew, Salt and Pepper, Potts, Hobbs and Muggers Nook, both in Bedlington, Northumber- Kettle, Cadbury, Bars, Dunks, Wafer, Fudge and land. Joseph Bradley resided at Mr Cropper’s House Candy, Walker, Crisp and Pringle, Sage and Onions, at Brimington and the census enumerator found McDonald, Burge and Pounder, Walls, Topping and Henry Bradley and his family at Cock Alley, Chester- Spong, Roast, Legge and Lamb, Trotter, Grills, Veal, field. Fry and Rice, Smedley, Podds, Marrows and Leek, Salmon, Rainbow amd Trout. Procreation Not content with all of that, there were those A Leaseawed Bradley came from Newcastle-upon- who preferred to round off their repast by taking Tyne and Elf Bradley from Middlesex. In terms of partners named Glass and Ware, Meade and Cork, procreation Sarah Marsh (who married Andrew Beer and Hopps, Yates, Stones, Tetley and Stout. Bradley of Shropshire) gave birth to 10 children the youngest being Edward, born 1913, who himself • Fauna fathered twenty-two children. According to his I have yet to find any BRADLEY marrying an obituary, he received a letter from the Pope – no Attenborough, Oddy, Irwin, Morris or Adamson, but prizes for guessing his religion. there are those who coupled with the animal king- Curious occupations have been followed by Ann dom by marrying Bull and Boar, Hogg, Lion, Lyons, Bradley (”keeps a mangle”) and Thomas Bradley Woolf, Fox and Gibbon, Buck, Hind, Hart, Roebuck, (”railway no. taker”). The latter was a train spotter, Mare and Bridle, Lamb, Catley and Purr, Fido, Cock, perhaps? Bird, Dove, Drake, Mallard, Goose and Gull, Lark, Having accumulated these musings, it is fairly Nightingale, Peacock, Raven, Robin, Rook, Sparrow evident that it comprises nothing more than mass and Swallow, Swan and Swift, Wildgoose, Coot, of totally useless information but I would be inter- Finch, Hawkes, Kite, Fish, Fowls and Eels, Haddock, ested to see what surnames other genealogists Mullett, Pike, Rake, Roach and Rudd, Salmon, Chubb have discovered in their researches. ❍ and Bass, Codd, Webb, Finn and Gill, Seal, Bugg, Moth, Bee and Leech, Whitby and Whaling. JOHN E. BRADLEY Member 4083 • Plantlife 9 Saxon Way I have yet to find any BRADLEY union with Ingham Titchmarsh, Dimmock or Thrower, although we have Lincoln LN1 2FY the usual suspects of Violet, Daisy, Rose, Ivy and Lily, [email protected]

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 17 bombing and civil defence Wide variety of interesting records and famous local hero Sir Francis Drake were mentioned. Alan also recommended family talks at Lesser-Known historians look to the local taxa- tion records in their area of Sources Seminar in Plymouth research. These are on open shelves and fill gaps between By Liz Clayburn bridge Alumni listings, as most 1901 to date and cover the 20th clergy attended these universi- century in lieu of census records. OR THE Guild’s first ties. The Church of England has Our last speaker, Dr. Todd Gray, return to the West started an online database up to Hon Research fellow of Exeter Country since Tiverton 1838. This was a very informative University, who has written in May 2002 there was a talk with plenty of leads. around 40 books on Devon, is fair showing of around 40 peo- Second speaker was another President of the Devon Family ple, mainly Guild members, for Guild regular, David Hawgood. History Society and Chairman of the Lesser-Known Sources Semi- His subject was the Devonshire Society. Dr. Gray, a nar at the Woolwell Community Sources for Over- Canadian, chose the subject, and Resource Centre, Plymouth, seas Surnames World of Fishing in Plymouth on Saturday, November 19. and matched the Around the 17th Century. The number of displays was material on The fishermen of Greater one of the largest I have seen at a David’s website, Plymouth sailed the known world seminar. Guild Vice-President www.hawgood. in search of their catch, mainly Peter Towey and his wife Jennie co.uk/global, cod for salting. Their range David Hawgood brought along the Anglo-German which presents stretched from the North Sea, FHS Stand. The Braund Society, plenty of leads for those Norway and the Devon Police Museum and researching in UK countries other Iceland across the Plymouth and West Devon than England, plus foreign coun- to Newfound- Record Office all had stands while tries and not just in the former land, establish- the Guild and Devon FHS brought Commonwealth. ing communi- their bookstalls. David also mentioned his work ties where, Peter Towey started the lec- on braille maps for the vision- even today, tures with a talk on the material impaired, using Google Images to Devon and Cor- Dr Todd Gray he has gathered for his new source photographs of persons nish names can book, Where to with your research name and the be found in Newfoundland and Find Records of new facility, print-Google, to Labrador. Anglican Clergy search for your research name in The fishermen tended to after the Refor- material stored in written form. ignore places that gave no mation. Peter After lunch we were given a return. Finance was the criteria informed us talk on Lesser Known Sources for with the question, “Why set up a that the formal Family Historian in Records base if there is nothing to reap garb of clergy- Offices by Alan Barclay, of the rewards from?”, used to explain men, cassock Plymouth and why fisher folk chose the coast of and dog collar, Peter Towey West Devon Canada adjacent to the Grand as we know it today, was not the Record Office. Banks, rather than Maryland or general standard until Victorian While Alan other places on the American times. Likewise, listing of clergy focused on his coastline with little to offer them. was not officially started until the own bailiwick, We may have thought popula- Clergy List for 1820, which the subject tions were pretty stagnant until became more detailed as it matters of local the railways came, but not if you attempted to match Crockfords, authority, church, Alan Barclay have marine ancestors. the more recognised listing that business, estate and personal The day was a success and the started in 1858. Various other records apply to record offices Guild’s thanks must go to the sources were mentioned, anywhere. Devon FHS for helping out. ❍ especially the Oxford and Cam- With Plymouth, a list of war • Photos by Rod Clayburn.

18 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 A newcomer’s first seminar and expert in the name you are researching”. Hmmmm... introduction to the Guild Paul Millington followed, giving plenty of advice and ideas about how to organise a one- By Shirley Smith name study. He discussed the pros and cons of paper and computer- OLLOWING a discussion ised records, and systems within with a Guild member at these media, emphasising the the Worthing Family need to back up your data. History Fair in April, I Then came Peter Walker with a decided to take the plunge and seemingly endless list of sources join, making the name ST. JOHN for one-namers. Is one lifetime the subject of my research. long enough to exhaust all the I was pleased to be able to possibilities? I concluded that attend an Introduction to One- keeping a record of sources Name Studies seminar so early in searched is just as important as my membership before becoming organising the actual information too bewildered and overwhel- gathered. med by what I had taken on. It Last, but by no means least, was the term “world-wide study” was Kirsty Gray talking about I found particularly daunting! Roger Goacher preserving our records. I am sure I On Saturday, October 15, I was not the only person present arrived at Bransgore Church Hall, who wished we’d started our Hampshire, in plenty of time and research at her youthful age! We was looking forward to a cup of were asked to think about how coffee. As I collected my name we organise and store our badge at the hall door, I was records, who can access them and accosted by Lynda Goacher who how to ensure their long-term said: “Just the person I’m looking preservation. for.” After a final cup of tea/coffee, If the floor could have opened we enjoyed a lively Questions and up and swallowed me I’d have Answers session that was chaired been delighted! Who was this by all four presenters. It was person and why me? She wasn’t interesting to discover that the frightening at all, really, just majority of members remain in asked me if I’d write an article on “C” category and about five per the seminar for the Journal – so Paul Millington cent of us don’t have a registered here goes. name and are known as co- I rushed for the comfort of a researchers. coffee and chatted to several At the close we were invited to other seminar attendees, while take a free CD of the four presen- watching the setting up of a com- tations (which I have already puter system, overhead projector, referred to several times) and microphone, etc. Unfortunately, after a chorus of thanks to the when Roger Goacher, Lynda’s presenters, helpers and refresh- husband, started his presentation ment providers we went our the microphone wouldn’t work, separate ways into what was left but he had no trouble making of a glorious late summer day. himself heard. Eventually, the For anyone who hasn’t problem was resolved. attended such an event, I would The day was divided into four say “Do!”. You won’t be disap- presentations, two tea/coffee Kirsty Gray pointed. My thanks to all breaks and lunch, with every- concerned for their hard work. ❍ thing being informal, friendly Study? and explained the what, and very helpful and interesting. why, when, where and how of Shirley Smith Howard Benbrook was managing our interest. We were all encour- Member 4428 the bookstall with a cheerful mix aged to join the Guild, reminded Rivendell of energy, enthusiasm and of the Annual Conference in April 133 Upper Shoreham Road expertise. and, to end on a daunting (or Shoreham-by-Sea Roger Goacher began with a was it stimulating?) note, Roger West Sussex BN43 6TA talk entitled What is a One Name said: “You will be the global

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 19 Gearing up for the Guild Successful computer seminar Conference at Epsom is to be repeated By Kirsty Gray N SATURDAY, February for the elusive, followed by tech- NCLOSED with this 11, we will be repeating niques for extracting the data to Journal you should the very successful com- use in your database. This ranges find the booking form puter seminar we held from “screen scraping” into Excel for this year’s Guild in Epsom two years ago. The to copying and pasting the data Annual Conference and AGM venue is Rosebery School, White from the source code into a at Yarnfield Park Conference Horse Drive, Epsom, Surrey. document. Centre, near Stone, Stafford- We are offering hands-on prac- For practical reasons, we must shire, from April 7–9. tical sessions with guidance from limit the numbers to 75, so book- Many bookings have already the more experienced, as well as ings will be on a first-come-first- been received and those who an initial lecture on the kinds of served basis. Because of the com- have paid their deposit should Internet sites that are useful for plexity of the programme, no now be looking at paying the one-namers. We will hopefully bookings will be accepted after balance for what promises to have free access to website February 4 to give us time to allo- be an interesting, entertaining 1837online.com (which carries all cate the practical sessions. and enjoyable weekend. the GRO Births, Marriages and The Conference Centre is Deaths Indexes and the 1861 Value located between Stoke-on- census) as well as ancestry.co.uk. The cost has remained at £10 Trent and Stafford main-line The content of the practical per delegate to cover the cost of railway stations and taxis can sessions will depend on the abili- the extra facilities, and we think always be found outside both ties of the delegates and it is, this is still good value for money. stations. There will be a map therefore, essential that you state It does include teas and coffees with detailed driving directions your Internet ability on the book- on arrival, in the lunch break and on the Guild website from ing form. However, all will be during the afternoon. February. catered for, from the raw begin- You are advised to bring a ner who will need to know how packed lunch, as you may con- Speakers’ topics to connect to the Internet and tinue to use the computers The programme of speakers how to configure their browser, during part of the lunch break. has been finalised and a wide to the more experienced user We hope you will enjoy the variety of topics will be who may even be able to give us day, but we can’t emphasise covered. We are also lucky all a hint or two. enough that you cannot do your enough to be sponsored by entire family history on the 1837online.com and the Hal- Practical Internet, no matter what the sted Trust. Speakers include: All delegates will attend the media would have you believe! Peter Higginbotham (pic- initial lecture and will then rotate tured below) creator of the around two practical sessions and JEANNE BUNTING website www.workhouses.org, a second lecture. This lecture will and JOHN HANSON which contains over over 2,000 give hints and tips on searching Seminar Organisers web pages, 4,000 photos and illustrations, and SOURCES IN THE NORTH-WEST SEMINAR 1,000 maps and 27 May 2006 plans. Peter first Venue: the John Rylands Library, Manchester became interested in workhouses WE TRAVEL north again in May. The venue is the prestigious John while researching Rylands Library and subjects include Sources in the Record Office his family history, having dis- for One-Namers. This library holds the Methodist Archives, plus an covered that his great-great- extensive list of special collections. Peruse the library website at... great-grandfather had died in http://rylibweb.man.ac.uk/data2/spcoll/#alphab a workhouse and that his There’s bound to be something to interest you. Why not make death had been registered by your visit long-stay, based around this seminar, and enjoy a the matron. He has managed weekend in Lancashire? to research hundreds of former

20 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 be somewhere you could go yourself to promote the Guild, even if its too far for Howard or he is committed elsewhere. nar and was pleased to find two If so, do please get in touch. How about members had volunteered to We can give you leaflets and help. I was very thankful because other promotional material and I becoming a when there is a break everyone am sure you will enjoy the day as gathers round the bookstall, so much as Lynette did. ❍ Regional Rep? one person isn’t enough. If you know the bookstall will be at a Guild One-Name By Sandra Turner family history fair in your region, N APRIL I was appointed do think about helping for an Publications Award the Guild’s Regional Repre- hour or two. Those on the stand WITH this Journal you will find sentative Coordinator. would welcome a break! an entry form for the Guild One- Since then I have In Australia we now have three Name Publications Award. appointed 10 new Regional Reps Regional Reps. They will be work- The Guild Committee has in the UK. Already, some of the ing in their own areas, but decided to make an important RRs have sent out newsletters keeping in close touch. They plan change to the contest. Instead and some have also arranged to meet up at the Australasian of being in two categories as in group meetings. Federation of Family History previous years, there will be just If you get questionnaires from Organisations Congress in Darwin one category for all entrants. them, please remember all the in June 2006. They are excited Entrants should send three answers are optional but they are about the prospect and hope to copies of their publication to trying to find out what you want meet other Guild members there. the address given on the form, from the Guild and if you would We will be supporting them with and they must be identical like to help others in some way, leaflets and other items. Our copies of the same issue, which too. Informal meetings are good, newest RR is Lynette Begg, who must have been published in since we can all learn from one was busy promoting the Guild at 2005. another. her local fair only a week after We still have vacancies in a being appointed. We sent promo- number of regions, so if you tional material, but the table Scottish conferences would like to help do get in banner she organised for herself. THE SCOTTISH Association of touch with me. For details of You read her account in the last Family History Societies is holding vacancies and the full list of Reps, Journal. its 17th Annual Conference on see the inside back cover of this If your local FH group is hold- Saturday, April 22, at the Visitor Journal. If you live close to ing an open day or fair, do let us Centre, New Lanark, hosted by another region and would like to know. It may be Howard Ben- the Lanarkshire FHS. Speakers join in their meetings, contact the brook will be able to take the will give talks on the theme Edu- RR for that area. Bookstall, or perhaps they might cation & Recreation. Full details I went to the Sunderland semi- like a talk on the Guild. It might and a booking form are available from: www.safhs.org.uk or www.lanarkshirefhs.org.uk workhouses from Truro to history research. Alan has done Thurso, Dover to Donegal and a great deal of DNA research THE 27th INTERNATIONAL Con- his work is totally self funded. into the SAVIN surname (see gress of Genealogical and Chris Pomery, is author of www.savin.org) and is a regu- Heraldic Sciences is to be held in the book, DNA and lar speaker on the subject. historic St Andrews from August the Family We are also joined by other 21–26 2006, returning to Scot- Historian. Chris popular speakers Colin Chap- land for the first time in 44 years. (left) launched his man, David Hawkings, Richard Theme is Myth and Propaganda own DNA study on Ratcliffe and Gordon Read. in Heraldry and Genealogy. the POMEROY If you have any questions, There will be speakers from name in 2000 and it is reputed please get in touch on around the world, plus a to be the largest DNA project [email protected]. I spectacular opening ceremony, of its kind in the world. look forward to seeing you entertainments and excursions, Another speaker will be there! ❍ including trips to Edinburgh and Alan Savin, author of a booklet the Military Tattoo, a family also called DNA and the Family KIRSTY GRAY history fair and closing banquet. Historian, exploring the poten- Guild Secretary Full details can be found at: tial use of DNA for family Conference Organiser www.congress2006.com

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 21 has swelled the data to more Regional than 100,000 marriages. Addi- tionally, I’ve been keen to manager’s accumulate data which will reveal the structure of the GRO indexes, situation showing the range of page numbers used to record each parish. is still This effort, which I usually combine with a Marriage Chal- vacant! lenge, aims to identify for each church the marriage that took place at the beginning and end of a quarter and matches them AYBE I WAS too a marriage but don’t have to with GRO Index page numbers by adventurous? Maybe spend money on the certificate, looking up the surnames on ser- I was asking too although a donation to the Guild vices FreeBMD and 1837online. much? Or just a bit would be welcome. I’ve already These marriages are referred to too tongue-in-cheek? I’ve got to had a go, finding marriages in as “cardinal points”. The best face up to it. My first recruitment the Stepney and Mile End regis- way to handle them is to take campaign has been a disaster. No tration districts between 1837 one church at a time and simply applicants. Mea culpa, presum- and 1911. If you missed my earlier work through the quarters. If ably (you can tell I gave up Latin effort, I’m still willing to find there’s an archive near you, you at school, can’t you?). Or is it my details of marriages bearing your could do this, too; we might call after-shave? registered surname in those dis- it Adopt-a-Church. If you have a So what should I do? I simply tricts – just forward me the full church you’d like to “adopt”, and can’t do any more without help. GRO Index details. contribute to the Cardinal Points What I need is the sort of support But now I want to extend my project, let me know. I got from the intrepid Pete Red- offer to another part of the East wood, Ron Woodhouse and End of London. I’m ready to take Malcolm Boyes, who combined on the registration district of St Tales from the tables forces to support us at the North George in the East, along the It’s Wimborne, Dorset: Novem- Yorkshire Coast Fair, Scarborough. northern shore of the River ber, late-morning, a decided chill Cautiously, I’d sent lots of Thames. It’s a smaller area than in the air. Throat already sore, bumpf that would help to pro- my previous effort, but I shall but creating some interest, and mote the Guild. They created a break it into two stages. The first this chap asks me to examine the lot of interest, but they would will cover 1837–1880 and the name WITCHER. A quick flick of have liked one or two items to marriages in the later period of the touchpad on Surname Atlas. sell as well. And that is how it 1881–1911 will form my Stage 2. Definitely Hampshire, just up the begins. If you think you could If you’d like details of a marri- road. Discussion about whether handle an event near you, with age of someone with your WHITCHER was a variant. Try it. the option to take on more as registered surname that took Much the same but a stronger time goes on, please get in touch. place in St George in the East, let indication of New Forest, It’s not difficult. It just takes an me know. By the time you read especially around Lymington. understanding of your customers, this I shall have begun Stage 1, “You know”, I said, “surnames a little organisation and perhaps but my deadline for requests is ending in -er are frequently occu- a bit of charm. January 31, so get in touch soon pations. Some of these may be if you’d like to take up the offer. I old trades that have now died More challenges should be able to get you the out, like PARMENTER. Maybe that For me, the outstanding Guild details before the end of March. could be true of WITCHER/ project of the moment has to be I’ll have more details about Stage WHITCHER, local to the area. the Marriage Challenge. It serves 2 in the next Journal. Why not take a look at the book to illustrate what can be achieved we’ve got on the stall that if we work together on a com- Guild Marriage Index describes old trades”? mon aim. If you haven’t caught Have you taken a look at the A few minutes later, the chap on to this yet, it’s an offer from Guild Marriage Index (GMI) comes back and says, with a big one Guild member to other mem- recently? If you haven’t, point grin on his face: “A witcher is a bers (the challenge) to find your web browser at: www.one- maker of wooden, woven or bas- marriages listed in the civil regis- name.org/members/GMI/gmi.html ketware chests or similar tration indexes, using the marri- This data, originally submitted containers” (A Dictionary of Old age registers available in a from members’ one-name Trades, Titles & Occupations, by repository near to them. That studies, has now been amplified Colin Waters). Sometimes, you way, requestors get the details of by Marriage Challenges and this get this real feeling you’ve done

22 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 something that helped. ham, Gloucestershire; Woking, you’re free on one of the days Surrey; Norwich, Norfolk; Wool- above, make a note to pop along What’s new, what’s big well, Devon; Wimborne, Dorset? and say hello. Of course, if you’re You’ve probably heard me If you were there and you said feeling adventurous you could bang on about Phillimore’s hello, thank you. It’s nice to meet join that magnificent band who Historical Atlas series. Each of other members. If you weren’t, help out behind the tables. You these county-based books is then maybe you might find time know you’d be very welcome. crammed full of maps that are to pop along to one of these fascinating illustrations of a forthcoming events... Credits county’s history. Now it’s Norfolk’s I want to recognize the contri- turn and the Historical Atlas of Where we’re going bution made by the following Norfolk is the latest title. The list As 2006 unfolds, I’m planning members who, without any arm- is growing. I don’t expect Mid- to be at these venues: twisting, gave up their precious dlesex soon, but there’s hope for • Bracknell FH Fair. Bracknell, time to help: Cliff Kemball, Warwickshire. Watch this space. Berkshire, Sunday, January 29. Andrew Millard, Fiona Mitford, Other new titles I’ve taken into • Guild Computer Seminar, Sue Walters, David Gash, Ian and stock include: Basic Record Keep- Epsom, Surrey, Saturday, Anne Shankland, Colin Roberts, ing for Family Historians by February 11. Anni Berman, Barbara Harvey, Andrew Todd, Genealogical Jar- • Crawley FH Fair, Crawley, Michael Bunting, Peter Copsey, gon by Stuart Raymond, Diction- Sussex, Sunday, February 12. Roger Goacher, Ann Clarke, Bar- ary of Saints’ Days, Fasts & • Kidlington FH Fair, Oxon, bara Cromack, Sheila Rahr Festivals by Colin Waters, Family Saturday, February 18. Weston, Gay Crommelin, Judy Skeletons by Ruth Paley and • Bath FH Fair, Bath, Somerset, Cooper, John Stark, Terry Silcock, Simon Fowler, and the 3rd Edition Sunday, March 5. Paul Millington, Monica Bush, of Peter Christian’s impressive • Guild AGM & Conference, Ken Grubb, Jean Normington, Jan book, The Genealogist’s Internet. Yarnfield, Staffs, Friday– Cooper, John Fisher, Peter Lock- Sunday, April 7–9. wood, Michael Walker, Maureen Price list • South Coast FH Fair, Mitchell, David Witt, Roger Har- This is my usual exhortation to Worthing, Sussex, Sunday, vey, Laraine Hake, Ken Mycock take a look at the Bookstall price April 23. and Kirsty Gray. Phew! What an list. There’s not a lot of change • SoG Family History Show impressive roll-call. If I’ve forgot- this time, but it’s always sensible Westminster, Saturday, ten anyone, please forgive me. to check before ordering. April 29. If you’d like to contact Howard Will I see you? I hope so. I had about any of the items he holds Where we’ve been a day at a fair recently when I on the Bookstall or to volunteer Did I miss you at one of these was completely on my own. No- to help, you can write to him at places – Needham Market, Suf- one to talk to, no-one to help [email protected], folk; Hastings, Sussex; Bransgore, and no-one to look after the stall or 7 Amber Hill, Camberley, Sur- Dorset; Eastleigh, Hants; Chelten- so I could take a break. So, If rey, GU15 1EB, U.K. ❍

Marriage challenges commencing in the coming Marriage Challenges update... months are given in the table, left. If you would like to request a search for your marri- Registration Deadline for Challenger Challenger's e-mail ages (registered District requests names only) send Newmarket 12 January Michael Debenham [email protected] the details from the Steyning 31 January Colin Ulph [email protected] GRO index (1837 to St George in the 1911) to the challen- 31 January Howard Benbrook [email protected] East 1837-1880 ger, either by e-mail Billesdon 1 February Joan Rowbottom [email protected] or to his or her pos- Lewisham 1 February Phil Warn [email protected] tal address given in Aylesbury 5 February Graham Taylor- [email protected] the Guild Register. Paddick For more informa- Southampton 12 February Terry Pook [email protected] tion about Marriage Challenge, what it Midhurst 17 February Stephen Allberry [email protected] comprises and how it works, see the Kidderminster 28 February Ingrid Salkeld ingrid@medlam916. article in the last 1837–1880 freeserve.co.uk issue of the Journal St George in the 30 April Howard Benbrook [email protected] (October – Decem- East 1881-1911 ber 2005).

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 23 Wanna job? Your Guild needs YOU to help out with various tasks

O YOU remember the cation skills from contact with but there are always jobs that BBC TV series Boys from others. You may have particular other members could take on. the Blackstuff and Yos- work skills – perhaps you are an Could you perhaps give an ser Hughes’ plaintive IT professional, a solicitor, informal talk at a meeting of cry, “Gizza job! I can do that”? accountant or marketing execu- your local family history society? Well, in the same vein, I want to tive, journalist or writer. Maybe We can provide advertising cry, “Wanna job? You can do you are good at giving presenta- material and even the text and that!” tions for work or are a home- Powerpoint slides for an Intro- In almost every issue of the maker used to juggling the ductory talk about the Guild. Journal, there is a request from myriad responsibilities of running Could you make contact with the Chairman or another post a home and family. Any of these the organisers of any significant holder for help. We really do skills – and many more – could be genealogical conference in your need more volunteers to help run useful to the Guild. area or country and see whether the Guild. It is our society, run by • “I don’t have spare time to they would take Guild publicity the members for the members. take on any other work.” material for circulation? Without further help and new The old adage says: “If you How about writing an article blood the Guild may just about want something done, ask a busy for the Guild Journal about some plod along, but it can’t expand person.” Some Guild jobs, interesting aspect of your ONS and bloom. There are many especially where they involve research? It doesn’t have to be a initiatives that the Guild Commit- being a member of the main polished Dickens novel. The Jour- tee would like to introduce, such Committee, are time-consuming. nal Editor is always looking for as increased online services, new But there are very many jobs that interesting pieces for inclusion, facilities, an expanded seminar require much less time. Could you however short, and, as an experi- programme, better marketing of find the equivalent of 4–5 hours a enced journalist, can sub-edit if the Guild and members’ studies, month to spare to help the necessary. but without more help none of Guild? If so, there is a job for you. • “Why can’t seminars be rep- these will be possible. We’ve got eated in several different parts of the ideas – what we haven’t got Specific the country to reach a wider are the bods to implement them. Subcommittees such as Mar- number of members?” Rod Clayburn, Secretary of the keting and Seminar need new We’d love to! But could you – Seminar Subcommittee (and the members to take on specific jobs. perhaps with a group of other Renewals Secretary and a main Each of these subcommittees local members – find a suitable Committee member – see how meets maybe three or four times venue in your area and be individuals have to double up a year for perhaps three hours, responsible for booking the hall, roles?) recently carried out a and then individual members and handling the administrative mini-survey of members. Many carry out specific tasks liaising arrangements? It is very difficult good ideas were put forward, but with the subcommittee chairman. to action such work from a dis- responses often highlighted the Many jobs, such as taking and tance, and there are only so many difficulties members feel there circulating the minutes of meet- meetings a year that the existing are in volunteering to help or ings or following up a particular subcommittee members can per- participating further in Guild initiative, can largely been done sonally arrange. activities. by a member from home. • “I live outside of Britain and • “I don’t have the skills • “I live along in the north of miss out on seminars and confer- needed to volunteer for any job.” Scotland/outside of Britain and ences. Why can’t they be videoed Of course you do! You under- can’t help because everything or put on disc for us to see?” take a one-name study. You are happens in the south-east of Nice idea – but there are some an able researcher, a skilled England.” difficulties. We often have dif- administrator, a librarian, IT-liter- We are grateful to Regional ficulties in even finding members ate and have honed communi- Reps who can help in their area, to write up meetings. Why not

24 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 offer before we have to press- gang someone into the job? Commercial reproduction services are expensive and there are copyright issues. Anyone prepared to video meetings in their area? Anyone able to reproduce, package and post material to distant members? Anyone step- ping forward to take on negotia- tion with professional speakers concerning the recording and New genealogy books & CDs distribution of their talks? • “I’ve have received lots of WEST KENT PROBATE INDEX, and, as Dr Wright says, some wonderful information from the 1750–1858. CD-Rom from Dr entries accidentally omitted from Guild Marriage Challenges. Why David Wright, 71 Island Wall, the probate act books have now can’t we have more Guild projects Whitstable, Kent CT5 1EL, e-mail: been rescued from oblivion. The like this?” [email protected]. £12.50 + compiler has further given us the Yes, the challenges have been 50p postage inland; £15 airmail. bonus of the entire text of his a great success, and long may Kent Probate Records – A they continue. Peter Copsey KENTISH researchers are tolerably Catalogue and Practical Guide deserves considerable thanks for well served by probate indexes (2004), a masterly overview and coming up with the idea initially inasmuch as the wills for the full catalogue listing of all the and for nursing it through the Diocese of Canterbury (East Kent) probate records for the historical early stages, and for continuing are more or less fully indexed, county of Kent. Armed with an to organise new challenges and although the equally valuable entry of interest from the index, help and support new administrations are not. Hitherto, the book will supply the court challengers. those with ancestors in the class references and thus enable Diocese of Rochester have had to rapid location of the will or Marriage Index make do with a card index to administration. Likewise the Guild Marriage some, but not all, wills in the The book makes the important Index was largely the inspiration Maidstone search rooms, while point that some groups of Kent of Mary Rix, and Paul Millington the administrations have probate records are by far the instigated the highly successful remained completely inaccessible best for any English county, par- Guild Archive and Members unless one is prepared to brave ticularly the depositions and Individual Web Pages. Without long and slow searches in the probate accounts. A good deal of them, none of these projects probate act books. this material is little known and would have seen the light of day. even less used, and is epitomised Maybe you’ve got a good idea Master index by the author reminding us that for Guild project, but would you All is now changed with this there are Kentish Tudor probate be prepared to organise and run master index of wills and admin- records which will reveal a man’s it? As I have said, ideas are of istrations to the two probate and age and birthplace. little use without the manpower two peculiar courts of the Everyone is probably aware to implement them. Diocese of Rochester. The 6,300 The National Archives have pro- I hope that I have given some or so entries have been brought duced an online index to the ideas on the possibility of increas- together into a single alphabeti- national PCC series of wills (class ing the pool of members helping cal sequence, each entry showing PROB11) in which many Kentish to run the Guild. Yes there are the name and surname of the people appear. With the publi- significant posts that need filling, testator or intestatee, parish of cation of this index, the century as the Chairman indicated in his residence, occupation and/or leading up to the advent of the column in the last Journal, but marital status, year and month of Principal Probate Registry in 1858 even if you could only give a the grant and the issuing court. is well-nigh complete for the small amount of time, we can The index is preceded by a Diocese of Rochester, and many find a job for you! Have an influ- comprehensive and lucid account pedigrees will now have to be ence on how the Guild is run and of the material indexed (citing revised, and almost certainly moves forward. Contact me or CKS references), a summary of expanded, in the light of this any Committee member if you abbreviations, and further valu- important finding-aid. ❍ can help. able indexes of parishes, other 2005 was the Year of the locations and occupations. All DUNCAN HARRINGTON Volunteer. Better late than never original wills and administration Professional genealogist – why not volunteer today? ❍ bonds have also been checked

Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 25 Percy William Filby and wartime code centre I READ the report of the Bletchley Park Seminar (Vol 8 Issue 11). O WE ARE told we shall see The late President of the Filby Association, Percy William Filby, Jeremy Paxman, renowned worked at Bletchley on both Enigma and Ultra. He died in 2002, hardman TV interviewer, aged 91, and was very prominent in genealogy. His widow, Vera, shedding a few tears when is still one of our USA members. His daughter, Jane, also a the BBC’s new series of Who Do You member, lives in Cheltenham. Think You Are? starts in February. Bill Filby was born in Cambridge in 1911. He was a chorister at Can it really be that Paxman, who Trinity College, Cambridge, and joined the university library, has been known almost to reduce taking a course in German as well as becoming a member of the politicians to tears, wept over the dis- rare books division. In 1935 he became secretary and amanuensis covery that a female ancestor died, to Sir James Frazer, author of The Golden Bough, later director aged 36, in poverty and of tubercu- of the scientific laboratory in the atomic period at Cambridge. losis? Where on earth has the normally In 1936 he married Nancie Elizabeth Giddens and they had abrasive Paxman been all these years four children, Ann, Jane, Guy and Roderick (Roddy). He assisted not to realise that in previous centuries in the development of radar and in 1940 volunteered for the life was very often an unending night- Army. Knowledge of German led to his transfer to the Intelli- mare of deprivation, hardship and gence Corps and the cryptographic team at Bletchley Park. early death for millions of people? Throughout most of WWII he was head of the German Dip- What a pity Jeremy didn’t get round lomatic Section, rising to captain. From 1943 the section broke to doing his family history sooner, then the double additive and one-time pad systems. After the war he perhaps he might have been able to worked for the Foreign Office in Cyprus, America and Germany. face the shock of such a revelation After a divorce, he married Vera Ruth Weakleim and in 1957 with a bit more aplomb. Maybe he will emigrated to America, where he worked at the Peabody need help to get over it, it having been Institute Library, Baltimore, as librarian and assistant director. In suggested in an earlier press story that 1965 he became librarian at the Maryland Historical Society and people who make unwelcome dis- director in 1972. It was there with the late Edward G. Howard coveries in their family history might that he wrote the definitive study of The Star-Spangled Banner, be traumatised by them and need to hailed by the New York Times as the most important work on seek counselling – a thought that had the Banner. He was a Fellow of the Maryland Genealogy Society, most family historians splitting their National Genealogy Society, Manuscript Society, Utah Genealogy sides with mirth! Association and Society of Genealogists. American Correspon- I recently published in Practical Fam- dent of the Filby Association for many years, he was made ily History magazine the ancestry of Honorary President in 1997. In 1998, Scholarly Resources, of Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the former Wilmington, Delaware, awarded an annual prize of $1000 Speaker of the House of Commons and named the Filby Prize, to be awarded to a genealogical librarian. the first woman ever to hold the post. I discovered her maternal grandmother MARION PHILBY had an illegitimate child before marri- Member 49 age which died at only a few months [email protected] old. After marriage, she then lost another child in infancy and died No comment! herself at only 25 of TB. MEMBERS doubtless have their favourite version of their family When I related this to Betty Booth- history as garbled by an enthusiastic enquirer. This is mine, a royd and asked if she minded whether new “take” on the history of the Pomeroy family. I give no clue I mentioned it in the article – especially as the age, gender or country of birth of the correspondent! the illegitimate child – she replied with “My grandmother told me a story about my family, it was like characteristic Yorkshire bluntness: “Of this, my family orignally started in france, my ancestor was the course not. Tell it like it is, warts and king of france until the french revolution. then france went into all.“ war with england and one of my ancestors were in the war, he In Jeremy Paxman’s case, if I were became the owner of the berry pomeroy castle, also that i am of a more cynical nature I might related to the duke of england and when he dies my grand- suspect a mocked-up scene for the mother’s cousin will be the new duke of england (or something cameras, so the BBC could have a nice like that).” story to give the papers to launch the CHRIS POMERY new series with! ❍ Member 3400

26 Journal of One-Name Studies, January–March 2006 YORKSHIRE WEST Regional Representatives as at December 1 2005 Ronald Woodhouse 100 Daleside Road E-mail contact Pudsey, To contact a Regional Representative by e-mail, use the alias in the following format:- Leeds, [email protected], with the name of the region replacing West Yorkshire LS28 8HA “scotland-north” as appropriate (put “-” instead of a space). IRELAND Where there is no e-mail contact, the message will go to [email protected] Mick Merrigan 11 Desmond Avenue AUSTRALIA NORTH-EAST DORSET SHROPSHIRE Dún Laoghaire Mrs Lynette Begg Phil Sherwood Dr Colin H Stevenson Co. Dublin PO Box 289, East Maitland, Rock House Orchard House Tel: (353.1) 284-2711 New South Wales 2323 20 Belfield Park Avenue Wall under Heywood Australia Weymouth DT4 9RE Church Stretton NEW ZEALAND Tel: 01305 770820 Shropshire SY6 7DU Mrs. Lily Baker AUSTRALIA NORTH & WEST 905 Wall Road, Hastings Garry K Stubbs DURHAM SOMERSET PO Box 434, Palmerston Mrs Fiona Mitford Ken Dilkes SCOTLAND Northern Territory 0831 23 Welbury Way Clematis Cottage ABERDEEN Australia Cramlington NE23 6PE Whitstone Hill Peter Bellarby Pilton BA4 4DX 13 Westfield Road AUSTRALIA SOUTH-EAST ESSEX Stonehaven David K Evans Kevin H Cole STAFFORDSHIRE Kincardineshire AB39 2EE 8 Mortimore Street 167 Ramuz Drive See Derbyshire Bentleigh Westcliff-on-Sea SCOTLAND NORTH Victoria 3204 Essex SS0 9JN SUFFOLK Graham Tuley Australia Mary A Rix 26 Crown Drive GLOUCESTERSHIRE Clapstile Farm Inverness IV2 3NL. CANADA EAST & WEST Mrs Elizabeth C Cooke Alpheton, Sudbury Tel: 01463 230 446 Dick Chandler Arcadia, 90 Queensmead Suffolk CO10 8BN Fax: 01463 230 446 1351 20th St NE Bredon, Tewkesbury, Salmon Arm Gloucestershire GL20 7NE SURREY SCOTLAND SOUTH British Columbia V1E 2V5 Martin Gegg Dr. James Floyd HAMPSHIRE 4 Little Orchard 84 Pentland Terrace ENGLAND Rev David J Gynes Woodham Edinburgh EH10 6HF BEDFORDSHIRE 40 Peronne Road Addlestone KT15 3ED Tel: 0131 445 3906 Peter W Hagger Hilsea, Portsmouth 106 Hayling Avenue Hampshire PO3 5LD SUSSEX EAST SOUTH AFRICA Little Paxton Richard Akhurst Brian Spurr Huntingdon PE19 6HQ C Braund 95 Sea Road 32 Newport Avenue c/o 12 Ranelagh Road East Preston BN16 1LN Glenashley BERKSHIRE Lake Sandown KwaZulu, Natal 4051 Kirsty Gray Isle of Wight PO36 8NX SUSSEX WEST 11 Brendon Close Richard Chilvers UNITED STATES Tilehurst, Reading HEREFORDSHIRE 56 George Fifth Avenue USA NORTH EAST Berkshire RG30 6EA Polly Rubery Worthing BN11 5RL Robert Young Tel: 0118 941 4833 Medwam, Edwyn Ralph 18 Golden Hill Road Bromyard HR7 4LY WARWICKSHIRE Danbury, Connecticut BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Tel: 01885 483318 Trish Bliss See Oxfordshire Mobile: 07774 245436 22 Cheshire Avenue USA SOUTH EAST Shirley Dr John Cookson CAMBRIDGESHIRE HERTFORDSHIRE Solihull 13203 W. Heritage Woods Pl. See Bedfordshire Barbara Harvey West Midlands B90 2LJ Midlothian VA 23112 15 Park Avenue CHESHIRE St. Albans AL1 4PB WILTSHIRE USA SOUTH WEST H Gordon Adshead Tel: 01727 865631 Richard Moore Bill Bunning 2 Goodrington Road 1 Cambridge Close PO Box 5632, Irvine Handforth, Wilmslow KENT Swindon SN3 1JG CA 92616-5632 Cheshire SK9 3AT Clifford Kemball 168 Green Lane WORCESTERSHIRE WALES CUMBRIA Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6AY Derek Gallimore WALES NORTH & MID Anne Nichols The Grange See WALES SOUTH & WEST 4 Drovers Way LINCOLNSHIRE 30 Pinewoods Avenue Burton, Carnforth LA 6 1HU John Laws Hagley, Stourbridge WALES SOUTH & WEST 4 The Hardings West Midlands DY9 0JF Geoff Riggs CORNWALL Welton LN2 3FE Tel: 01562 883908 Peacehaven Sharon Symons Fax: 01562 885101 Badgers Meadow Joanlea, The Mount NORTHUMBERLAND Pwllmeyric, Chepstow Par, Cornwall PL24 2BY See Durham YORKSHIRE EAST & WEST Gwent NP6 6UE. Frank Hakney Tel: 01291 626417 DERBYSHIRE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 19 Church Street Ron Duckett Dr David H Mellor Elloughton COORDINATOR Outwood Hills Farm 2 Bromley Road East Yorkshire HU15 1HT. Sandra Turner Lower Outwoods Road West Bridgeford Tel: 01482 668340 2 St Annes Close Burton on Trent DE13 0QX Nottingham NG2 7AP Winchester Tel: 01283 561557 YORKSHIRE NORTH Hants SO22 4LQ OXFORDSHIRE Pete Redwood Tel: 01962 840388 DEVON Dr. Wendy Archer The Garden Flat Elizabeth Holliday The Old Nursery 36 Albemarle Crescent •WE have vacancies for RRs in the Caradon Pump Lane North Scarborough following areas: LANCASHIRE, Jubilee Road Marlow, Bucks SL7 3RD North Yorkshire YO11 1XX LEICESTERSHIRE, LONDON, NOR- Totnes, Devon TQ9 5BW Tel: 01628 485013 FOLK, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, USA CENTRAL, USA NORTH-WEST £ I G Q J J S a o 2 u u S n T H a S B o u . N t i u H a e f 0 a u e l r

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Vol 9 Issue 1 January–March 2006