Author: Jake Harley McConnell
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Frederick Castle of Birregurra
Frederick Castle was one of the early pioneers of Birregurra, and fathered a family descending to the fourth generation during his lifetime. As one of Castle’s posthumous descendants, I’ve been trying to solve the “brick wall” of his parentage in Oxfordshire. Finally, this mystery has been solved! But first, let’s recount Frederick Castle’s eventful life-story:…
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Methwold, Norfolk
To the west of Thetford Forest lies the village of Methwold. This parish is one of the largest in Norfolk, comprising over 12,280 acres. The local village is situated on a slope at the edge of a chalkland, with the Thetford Forest to the east and extensive fenland on the west. The parish of Methwold…
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Wellington, Somerset
Wellington wasn’t always the thriving town we know today. Back in the 1720s, author Daniel Defoe visited Wellington, and afterwards wrote about what he encountered. Upon riding into the town, Defoe was immediately surrounded by desperate beggars. Poverty was clearly a problem in this parish. Defoe gave the beggars a few coins. Upon seeing this,…
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Woodman or Woodsman?
Was your ancestor a woodman or a woodsman? Is there a difference? Let’s take a closer look at the two words: Wood-man Woods-man Although the two terms may overlap in some cases, one focuses on wood as a material whilst the other focuses on the woods, or the woodland. Anyone who worked with wood as…
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St Just-in-Penwith, Cornwall
Eight miles west of Penzance, near the coast of Cornwall, lies the historic mining town of St Just-in-Penwith. Granite cottages are a reminder of the town’s long heritage in tin mining. In 2006, the area became part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. St Just-in-Penwith should not be confused with…
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St Peter’s-in-Thanet, Kent
Two miles south-east of Margate lies the coastal area known as St Peter’s-in-Thanet. The local beaches are known for their white cliffs, where fossils and rock pools can be seen at low tide. The parish has a rich history extending dozens of generations. Do you have ancestors from St Peter’s-in-Thanet? A Brief Description of the…
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Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire
Shipton is one of the three Wychwood Villages of the Evenlode Valley, located between Milton and Ascott. The name “Wychwood” originates from the ancient Royal Forest of that name. Nowadays, most of this terrain consists of open farmland. Part of the Wychwood terrain viewed from Milton What is Shipton Like? In 1870, the village contained…
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How Common Are Non-Paternity Events in Genealogy?
What is a “non-paternity event” (NPE)? Sometimes a Y-DNA test can show unexpected results. The International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG) defines a “non-paternity event” as follows: “Non-paternity event is a term used in genetic genealogy to describe any event which has caused a break in the link between an hereditary surname and the Y-chromosome resulting in a son using…
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What Was a Cordwainer?
Have you found this occupation in your family tree? Simply put, the term “cordwainer” refers to a shoemaker— but not just any shoemaker. What was it like to work as a cordwainer in times past? Firstly, What Was the Difference Between a Cordwainer and a Cobbler? To preface the following, it’s important to note that…
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Eliza Champ (c.1843-1922)
This article is part of a series of brief lifestories of the Champ family. Eliza was the ninth child of James Champ and Eliza Moody of Downton, Wiltshire. See project bibliography. Eliza Champ, daughter of James Champ and Eliza Moody, was baptised on the 4th of June, 1843, in the town of Downton, Wiltshire. She…