Medieval Family History - taking the plunge...

[Keith Sherwood]

Hi, Everyone,
Have for some time hovered on the brink over the possibility of trying to trace one of my family lines backwards from the start of Parish Records in 1538 (in some cases).  I realise that I might not have much joy, as only particular individuals are going to turn up in the medieval records
I was wondering what experience other Rootschatters may have had in this area with their own families...
I'm going to choose my mother's GURNER family, who appear to have lived in the small village of Ickleton in Cambridgeshire from at least 1538 until the end of the 19thC.
Early on the name was GOURNARD/GOURNER, and they were tenant farmers; the earliest will I have is one of 1579.
I imagine they may well have been in the area back into the 15thC and possibly before.
I'm lucky that I live a couple of miles from the excellent Cambs County Record Office and the Cambridge University Library.
I've also got hold of a copy of Paul Chambers book: "Medieval Genealogy - How to find your Medieval Ancestors". (Pub. by Sutton in 2005)
So, any tips from anyone about their own experience in this area before I take the plunge...?
Very best wishes,
keith

[Ruskie]

Hi Keith,

How exciting!  I've had no experience so am unable to offer anything constructive I'm afraid (not much medieval genealogy to research here in Australia worst luck  ).

I was thinking of buying Paul Chambers other book "Early Modern Genealogy" which covers 1600-1838. From what I've read "Medieval Genealogy' covers the period pre 1600.

I am interested to know what you think of the book? Is it readable or a hard slog?

Best of luck in your search. (You might need some paleography lessons   )

 

[behindthefrogs]

I would start by searching the National Archives Catalogue, A2A and of course the appropriate indexes of wills.  My experience is that these turn up unrelated snippits which you can then set about trying to link together.

Another source is the Victoria History of the area which may be available on-line at

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/


David

[Necromancer]

Ickleton !


If you bump into any LILLEYs pre-1700, please send 'em home  


Sounds great - wish you luck !

 

[Keith Sherwood]

Thanks for those encouraging responses...!
Ruskie, I've only got as far as page 28 (out of 275), but so far it looks promising.  Was busily scribbling down websites to look into when indulging in a little late night reading last night...
...and David, he highly recommends the Victoria History series...
...and The Newfster, have come across loads of more recent LILLEY's in Ickleton, will definitely let you know if I turn up a reference to one pre-1711...
keith

[Lydart]

Just an idea ... have you checked to see if anyone has done a one-name study for GOURNARD/GOURNER or GURNER ?

By sheer chance I found one for a family name, and whizzed back to 1530-ish in 20 minutes !

[Lesanne]

Hi Keith,
As David says, consult the Archives NA... Have you found any wills or other documents listed in their catalogues?
Can you read Latin ... and Olde Englishe....
Some are available to download. Make a list and go to Kew for the day... 

Don't forget your cotton gloves. 

Have fun.. it's great back there.. 

[MrsLizzy]

Hi Keith, good luck with the medieval family history - it sounds fascinating.  I know a Sherwood by the way.  Lives in Essex.  Wonder if he's a relative of yours?? 

[Keith Sherwood]

Thanks for all the advice, and just to say I've made my first step in the right direction by downloading "A History of the County of Cambridge and Isle of Ely: Volume 6" which deals with the Whittlesford Hundred, and more precisely Ickleton.
Twenty-one pages of close type A4 (though admittedly nine and a half pages were listed references)
A very interesting, detailed and scholarly account for more late night reading...
keith