By Tony Storey
First, I must thank the other Sewell co-ordinators, Brenda, Ian and Nigel, for their support this year. Also a word of thanks is due to our Membership Secretaries, John and Carol, for rounding up some of those who forgot to renew at the first attempt. These things happen!
Richard Jones recently gave us his vote of confidence by renewing his subscription for three years. He traces his descent from the marriage in 1773 of William Sewell and Sarah Neave (or Nave) in Felmingham, Norfolk, a parish mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.
We have had a few interesting enquiries, one or two of which may eventually result in an article for Soul Search. Many parts of the world are difficult to research, which should make us more grateful for our records in the U.K.
Helping people with their family history can be rewarding. I was contacted by ‘Red Ken’ of Bolton, Lancashire, a gentleman in his eighties with no real interest in starting to research his family. However, Ken’s young nephew had asked him what he knew and Ken had recounted an old family legend about their Sewell ancestors once having land in rural Norfolk. The lad was disbelieving, thinking it was just another tall story, but Ken wondered if there might be some truth in it. Ken told me about his parents and grandparents, all firmly in Greater Manchester, and wondered if the Sole Society could help.
It didn’t take me long to find Ken’s ancestors in the 1881 Census farming 112 acres in Hingham, Norfolk. At present we can trace his family back to a marriage in Hardingham, Norfolk, in 1761.
Ken was thrilled with the news and although I wouldn’t expect him to join the Society at his time of life, his nephew might do one day. Brenda Ord deals with Norfolk and Norwich and is now adding the information from Ken to what we already knew about the family