Genealogy Chat

If anyone is back this far a book I found today may help. Its called 'Elizabethan Wills of South-West Essex'. Does what it says on the tin - most of them are not 'rich' types though, surprisingly. Will post an example below. Maz. XX

THOMAS DYMSDALE of Sewardstone in Waltham, 8 February 1570/1 To Margaret my daughter 1 cow; at her marriage a brass pot, a pewter platter, and 1 pair of sheets. To Lettice my daughter (likewise). To Thomas Stubberfeld 1 load of wood. To William and Thomas my sons each 1 ewe and a lamb of a year old. I ordain Alice my wife executrix. I make my son Nicholas my overseer, and to him a quarter of oats. Witnesses: Richard Abram, Adam Stocke, 'J' Powre. Proved 23 March 1570/1. (There is a full index of all names).

Gosh Maz! I wish I was... what fun! Your little book sounds fascinating! I've got rellies in Essex but am having trouble tracking down my elusive ggrandmother and gggrandfather from c.1863 and c.1843-ish... so it will be a while before I get back to Elizabethan times!

Hi Marion that sound great but like Linda still trying to crack Essex rellies 1901 back to 1832 thought the name Tredgett would be easier than my Smiths in Essex but seem there are just as many Tredgetts in Essex as Smiths Will make a note of the book thanks Sally

I'm nowhere near either, just found it in the library (I work there) its kept out the back and is from a limited run of 400. No Tredgetts I'm afraid, but plenty of Smiths! Will post some more snippets when I get a min. Maz. XX

Here's another one:- NICHOLAS AULGAR of Nazeing yeoman, 19 August 1597 To Mary Saule my daughter £5. To Avice my daughter £30 to be paid by my son John. I bind my free land for the payments to them, if my son John shall not pay the same. To Samuel Sawell the son of my Mary £5. I make Agnes my wife and John my executors. She shall have all the linen and he shall not meddle with it. Witnesses: Thomas Campe, Robert Browne. Proved 16 September 1597

Crumbs! If that last entry is correct, it's no wonder we're all having such difficulty. What hope is there if Mary SAULE's son was called Samuel SAWELL! Perhaps that's why my BERRETTs appear to have begun as BERROTTs...

Imagine what he would have been called if he'd meddled with the linen LOL. Maz. XX

If you don't know about this site already, you could try the online version of Essex Records Office. http://seax(.)essexcc.gov(.)uk/login(.)asp You can search for all sorts of things....just try putting your name or a place into search and see what it comes up with! You can then request a photocopy at a very reasonable price. I got six C17 wills for just over £2. Unfortunately mine are all in North Essex. When you get back to Elizabethan times, libraries should be able to get hold of the Emmison transcriptions, which are fully indexed. Sue

Susan, this book is written by FC Emmison! Wonder if he did any more? It was only printed in 1983, but as I said is a limited edition - only 400 printed. Maz. XX