Look at it this way.

Why is it that whatever the name someone can come up with a new way of using it? Whenever you look at the census you have to be aware that the name you are looking for might not be the one that is listed. The change might be down to the daughter of the house having the name Margaret but being known to all as Peggy. Mind you my mother was a Peggy but she was christened as such. Names of today are being used rather differently to those of the past. In many cases what was once a nickname is now the given name. If your ancestor was an Elizabeth then she could be listed as Betty, Liz, Lizzie or Eliza. It's not just the Rev. Samuel OLIVER who didn't know the names. He made it clear that he was unsure by putting down all the variation at his disposal. However I am unsure how he managed to guess at the name being HEWERDINE or CASTLEDINE or even HAWKIN or SOUTHERN or SOUTHERAL. And you think you have a problem because you have a couple of Williams in the family.

A name that I have been looking for recently is that of BLYTHIN. A variation can be arrived at by putting a 'g' on the end and making BLYTHING. The surname concentration for BLYTHIN is in the Flint and Wrexham area. BLYTHIN is considered to be the English version. The Celtic version is BLYTHING and has the same concentration plus the Merseyside area. In 1881 there were just 311 individuals with the name and almost without exception they all have links to this area. I am unsure of the meaning for this surname but there seems to be a possible change to BLEDDYN and into the mysteries of the welsh language. A search on the internet produces the site www.surnamedb.com. This interesting site gives the information that "Recorded as BLETHIN, BLEYTHIN, BLEYTHING, BLYTHIN, and others, this is a surname which has Welsh royal connections. It derives from the Ancient British personal name "Bleddyn," translating as the son of Little Wolf. The name is much associated with early Welsh royalty, Bleddyn ap CYNFAN, being the prince of Gwynedd in the 11th century. The early recordings are all associated with Wales, although the variant spellings have often been English. Meredith ap BLETHYN was given as being a Welshman or Briton, who in what was then known as "The Survey" but later became the famous Domesday Book, is recorded as holding the manor of Oswestry."

Bits and Bobs

LRSM - 2nd October 1801 - Marriage: On Tuesday, the 15th instant at Bottesford, Lincolnshire, John KIRK an occasional preacher in the Methodist Connexion, to Susanna SEATON of Burringham, a Mantua Maker. The patient Bride had kept company near two years with a Blacksmith of the same place, and was actually Published with him in the Church (Banns) the very Sunday preceding her marriage; but for reasons best known to herself, eloped next day with the Preacher; so true it is that we know not what a day may bring forth.

 

 

It’s a Grave Situation

 

Did you read the recent article on old graves? It seems that many of the older graves are going to be reused due to the shortage of burial plots. The largest cemetery in the country is the one at the City of London where at least 1000 graves have been reused with, in some cases, the old gravestones being put face down and inscribed with the new occupants details. The New Scientist has pointed out that the problem is even worse in Singapore where the graves site is only guaranteed for 15 years before the resident is dug up and the grave reused. Occasionally the occupants of two graves are combined. What would your thoughts be on finding that your relative is now buried with a total stranger? The visitors to the City of London cemetery are now coming across notices which read "This memorial has been identified for possible reclamation. If you visit this grave please contact the Conservation Team." Keep a watch on your family monuments for they could end up being recycled.

I noticed that the General Registry Office at Southport is reaching its goals 100% of the time. When this is 2,000,000 certificates in one year I find that impressive. If you would like to know how it is done then you could always visit the office on the Open Days in June just contact the Public Relations Unit on 0151 471 4530.

During some research on the registers of Folkingham I found an item of interest. The entry said "The Most Noble John Marquis of Granby & Peer of Folkingham buried May 17^th 1790. A Pauper & died by Dancing once a slack rope." Any idea what the slack rope was? It wasn't dancing on the end of a rope by any chance?

For sale on eBay recently was a document for WIGTOFF for the Lease of two parcels of land John NEWZAM of Wigtoff, Farmer and George CASSWELL of Wigtoff, Grasier and is dated 16 August 1809 in the 49th year of the reign of King George III. It refers to All that piece of pasture land in Wigtoff called Low Catherine or Low Cattering Toft of 5 acres, abutting on Staggot's Lane. Also a piece of pasture land in Wigtoff called High Catherine Toft and Davis Green of 7 acres abutting on a Division drain between Wigtoff and Swineshead. The name NEWZAM is fairly local and a variation of NEWSHAM. Originally coming from places such as Newsham, Newham or Newholme. CASSWELL has a great many variations from KERSWILL to CRASWELL to CRESSELL and any combination you can think of. The original holder of the name was a dweller by the water-cress stream and comes from the Old English cærse wiella and survives today as the name of many villages throughout England.

Bits and Bobs

LRSM - 5th October 1821 - Whereas, William MIDDLETON, late of East Kirkby in the county of Lincoln, labourer, did about 4 or 5 weeks ago, desert his wife, who is since become chargeable to the Parish of Spalding, in the said county. Whoever will apprehend the said William MIDDLETON, and give notice to Mr. Thos. NORTH, Assistant Overseer of the Parish of Spalding, shall receive Two Guineas Reward. NB. William MIDDLETON is a jollyish man, about 5 feet 6 or 8 inches high, with dark hair inclined to grey and is upwards of 50 years of age.