Tag Archives: Fishing Disaster

Historical Pot Pourri

by thehistoryinterpreter

As promised, we are back to the history. Another Hangout on Air for the Society for One-Place Studies. This time I was guiding people through choosing your ‘one place’. If you are thinking about taking on this kind of research do listen in. I was just thinking I was getting the idea of all this hanging out when, half way through, I realised I had my printer plugged in instead of my snazzy headphones. It seems you can still hear me though.

Whilst delving into the delights of YouTube, take a look at this amazing video of Buckland Brewer thanks to Burn the Curtain Theatre Company. I can’t believe I am lucky enough to live somewhere so beautiful. The History Group is thriving, with some exciting new projects in the wings. We have had two requests for assistance just this week.

I have been following up on the descendants of those who lost their lives in the Clovelly fishing fleet in 1838. I have managed to find two more with Braund connections. Philip Cowel of Hartland led me a bit of a dance, until I discovered that he was also called Curtis. His daughter married a Braund. James Kelly of Appledore had a son James Kelly Cook who married a Braund – they just get everywhere.

Two talks for Mistress Agnes this week and a lovely time with the ladies of Christchurch, Barnstaple and the history society in Chulmleigh, although Mistress Agnes was very wary in the latter as she heard that the Parliamentarian army was passing through.

At last, a publication date for Family Historians’ Enquire Within January I’m afraid so too late for Santa this year but always an option for spending your Christmas money! Ok, ok, I know I said it would be ready for Christmas but be fair, I didn’t say which Christmas. The typeset proofs for Putting Your Ancestors in their Place have arrived, which is very exciting but not looking forward to spending Christmas indexing.

For those who have brains to tax and minutes to fill over the holiday season do try the charity Christmas Puzzle. I have managed page one with Martha’s help – now for the rest.

Exploring History, Writing Books and Lost Fishermen

by thehistoryinterpreter

‘Putting your Ancestors in their Place: a guide to One Place Studies’ is now with the proof readers. If all goes well it will be available in time for Who Do You Think You Are? Live in February, to go with one of my presentations there. Hurrah – now what shall I write? Actually there are plenty of ideas so please don’t suggest anymore. If you are still waiting for ‘Family Historians’ Enquire Within’, it is on its way – promise. Gave the talk of that book yesterday. The audience seemed to appreciate the A to Z suggestions but a bit of a crisis when, with only ten minutes to go, I was still only on M.

Favourite website of this week is the ‘Explore’ section of the Victoria County Histories’ website. There are articles, maps, drawings, photographs and audio files, even for counties that are poorly served by the volumes themselves.

I’ve managed to successfully identify three death certificates for the Clovelly fishermen who were lost in the 1838 storm and whose bodies were recovered. Also completed three research requests and tried to unravel another confusing American Braund line.

This coming week will see me passing on the benefits of our gravestone recording experiences, listening to the story of the research into the men on our local war memorial and a day in the seventeenth century.

Still working on Lucy’s maternal line – details to follow.

The Clovelly Storm of 1838, One Place Hanging Out, C17th London and Other Matters

by thehistoryinterpreter

With hurricanes forecast for the night of 27th/28th October, it is a good time to ask for help with one of my (many) research projects. Exactly 175 years ago there was a bad storm off Clovelly. In a direct response to the loss of life in this tragedy, in 1839, the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Royal Benevolent Society, better known as the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society was founded. This was set up by Charles Gee Jones and John Rye, in order to raise funds to assist the fishermen’s widows, orphans and parents. I am attempting to identify those involved, both victims and survivors and trace living descendants of any of these men. There is plenty of information available about the storm of 1821 but much less about that of 1838. Newspaper reports are inconsistent about the number of boats and men who were caught in the storm and the number of victims.

One version of the list of those who were lost includes the following:-

From Clovelly:-  James Britton senior; James Britton junior son of the above; John Britton, son of James senior; John Shersel, a married man; William Shersel, brother of the above, a married man; John Lewis who left a widow and family; Thomas Jenn and Richard Lane.

From Bucks Mills:- John Braund, left a widow and 3 children; James Veale; John Bagelhole, left a widow and child.

From Hartland:- Hugh Bayley; Thomas Trick, left a widow and 2 children; Philip Cowell, left a widow and family.

Also:- James Radford from Ilfracombe, left a widow and family; Mr Carpenter from Ilfracombe, left a widow and family. James Kelly from Appledore, left a widow and 6 children; Richard Lock from Appledore, left a widow and 3 children; Henry Pooley from Bideford, left a widow, his body was recovered; Richard Parker from Bude; An unknown Cornishman.

Unfortunately, for those whose bodies were not recovered, there can be no death or burial records. So tracing these men and their descendants is difficult.

Last night I had my first experience of participating in a Google+ Hangout on air, on the topic of One Place Studies. The result is now available on YouTube. I have no idea why I sound so out of breath and hesitant – it was past my bedtime – that’s my excuse and I am sticking to it! Good fun though and a very productive discussion.

Not too sure about the variations on ‘Scarborough Fair’ as a musical accompaniment but as someone who lives in the seventeenth century, this new game (at least I think it is going to be a game) was of interest. All about the Streets of London – now wouldn’t that have been a better track? – great fan of Ralph McTell me. Do play the video. It could even persuade me to start computer gaming. Mistress Agnes would have put it on her Christmas list but I have pointed out that not only have computers not yet been invented but Cromwell is about to ban Christmas.

Some very interesting documents have been loaned to me lately. I am currently guarding with my life some old school registers and the archive for the local WI. The latter includes a wonderful survey of the village in 1965 and contains a very unusual picture of my house.

Coles Manning 1965 Lloyd Prance - WI

This is particularly strange as my house was thought to be make of cob, as the walls are two feet thick. This clearly suggests that there are bricks involved.

Anyone worried about Halloween needs this seventeenth century preventative:- The thumb of a hanged man in your left shoe wards off witchcraft.