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Topics - john franks

Pages: [1] 2
1
Durham / Paradise Row, Darlington
« on: Saturday 08 December 12 19:07 GMT (UK)  »
According to the 1841 census one of my ancestors was a pupil at a boarding school in Paradise Row, Darlington at that time. I would be grateful if anyone can give me the name of the school, tell me anything about it or give me a reference.

Many thanks.

John

2
One Name Studies: T to Z / Wallis Surname
« on: Monday 16 May 11 17:29 BST (UK)  »
I have very recently taken an interest in the Wallis surname in connection with a DNA project. I am aware that the name, like Wallace, has the sense of "foreigner" or "stranger" and was probably given to earlier inhabitants of Britain by Anglo-Saxons or Norman-French newcomers. A quick look at censuses seems to indicate that the Wallis surname may have originated in South-East England. Can anyone confirm this or tell me more about the name's origins?

Thanks

John

3
Other Countries / Mauritius
« on: Saturday 30 October 10 17:11 BST (UK)  »
Hello All,

Can anyone please point me in the right direction to find bmd, census or other records from Mauritius for the late 1800s. I guess they will be in the National Archives somewhere but some steer would be appreciated.

Thanks

John

4
Cumberland / Melmerby village
« on: Tuesday 16 February 10 03:12 GMT (UK)  »
I would be grateful if anyone familiar with the village of Melmerby could indicate to me the modern pronunciation of the place-name. This is in connection with the surname Mellanby which is believed to derive from Melmerby.

I have posted a similar entry on the North Yorkshire board regarding the Yorkshire Melmerbys.

Thanks

John

5
Yorkshire (North Riding) / Melmerby villages
« on: Tuesday 16 February 10 03:10 GMT (UK)  »
I would be grateful if anyone familiar with either or both of the Melmerby villages could indicate to me the modern pronunciation of the place-names. This is in connection with the surname Mellanby which is believed to derive from Melmerby.

I have posted a similar entry on the Cumberland board regarding the Melmerby in that area.

Thanks

John

6
Census and Resource Discussion / Census Boundaries
« on: Wednesday 09 December 09 14:06 GMT (UK)  »
While doing some work on the 1851 census for County Durham I realised that a number of places in North Yorkshire, more or less in the Middlesbrough area, were included. This was very helpful to me as I am mainly interested in the Teesside area but researchers need fo be aware that other county boundaries may have been bent a little to suit the census takers.

But perhaps this is already a known feature of censuses?

John

7
Ancestral Family Tree DNA Testing / DNA anyone?
« on: Sunday 22 November 09 14:45 GMT (UK)  »
I came across this in The Age, Melbourne:

"Claim on Hogwarts castle
LONDON
November 22, 2009

The Duke of Northumberland, whose ancestral seat, Alnwick Castle, is the setting for Hogwarts school in the Harry Potter films, is facing a challenge to his title.

Kevin Percy, a New Zealander, insists he is the rightful heir to the estate. He has written to the Queen seeking her support to exhume the 5th Earl of Northumberland, who died in 1560, to see if the remains match his DNA.

Ralph Percy, the 12th Duke of Northumberland, is confident he will see off the challenge to his 50,000-hectare estate.

Kevin Percy, 74, believes his family was cheated out of the title"

Another reason for getting your DNA analysed?

John

8
Durham Resources & Offers / Link: Property Records - Durham University
« on: Saturday 01 November 08 16:28 GMT (UK)  »
I know we have been here before but following a successful visit to Durham to look at property transactions in the Halmote Court Records of the University I wanted to recommend this archive to anyone who may have ancestors who have held land in County Durham.

These records are a bit like wills from the family history perspective as they often spell out family relationships. In my case I was able to confirm the identity of my earliest ancestor since his eldest son and four granddaughters were named in the record when he was admitted to the tenancy of land at Stockton-on-Tees.

You need to have an idea of the place where your family occupied land and ideally approximately when they did so. At present it is not possible to do a comprehensive search online or at the library (unless you have weeks to spare!). However it is worth looking at the website for early records (pre 1720 approx) where you can do a surname search by township where the property is located.

The library's website is at www.dur.ac.uk/library then make your way to Archives and Special Collections and look for Halmote Court Records.
The easiest way to get to the Halmote Court Records is to go to  http://flambard.dur.ac.uk/dynaweb/guides/ascguide.

 A page headed "Table of contents for A guide to the Archives and Special Collections at Durham University Library" will come up.
Click on " Administrative and Ecclesiastical Archives"

On the next page click on "Durham Bishopric Estates, Halmote Court Records"

Near bottom of this page there is a para headed DHC 2. Click on "online version" and on the next page that comes up click "Original surrenders".

You can then click the Division and then the township you are interested in where you will see a list of "surrenders" with the surnames attached.



Hope this is of interest.

John

9
Perthshire / Auldchlappie?
« on: Monday 25 August 08 14:53 BST (UK)  »
Can anyone direct me to Auldchlappie please. It features in the Kirkmichael parish records and was probably a farm in the 1800s and latterly may have been a hotel or holiday accomodation. I can't find it in modern directories.

Thanks

John

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