We have both been staying with our grandson in his lovely new home in an area very familiar to me - it was once my childhood home. He and his girlfriend both work in London but their spare time is spent climbing, riding their bikes through the dales, and what looks alarming to me, rock bouldering. When he purchased the property he hadn't realised that he was buying in an area so familiar to both of us.
They are both continuing with their London careers, but remotely, all of which appears to work well.
Our grandson has been looking into all of our family trees, and has discovered some interesting data about my side of the family.
Many families have unsubstantiated stories or generational tales regarding their ancestry with elements of truth, but often no firm foundations.
My maternal grandmother's maiden surname was Jacques, and the story told is that her father could have been descended from Huguenot immigrants. The Huguenots were Protestants who fled France and Wallonia (southern Belgium) from the 16th C to the 18th C due to religious persecution during the European Wars of Religion. After the English Reformation, England was seen as a safe place for refugees. Importantly, however, they also brought their skills and expertise as silk-weavers, silversmiths, merchants, vine-growers, wig makers, and hat-makers which helped the country to expand its global horizons.
The ancient market town where our grandson has bought his home is 30 miles away from where I lived, but it was a very important town re: silk weaving. There are still several Heritage silk mills and many terraces of silk weavers cottages, all of which brought wealth to the town. This knowledge re: the silk weaving helps to bring more relevance to the Jacques family story. My grandson has discovered that a young women born in his town, married a man called John Jacques and that they were the parents of my maternal grandmother. They are my great grandparents, and my grandson's great great great grandparents.
Importantly he has also traced our Jacques family name back to three more generations, and is very hopeful that he will find more information by subscribing to the Ancestry website.
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Hello Rosemary, How delightful that your son has chosen such a beautiful and meaningful spot in which to settle. I am not sure that I am familiar with the term "Peak District" but those classic British travel posters have me convinced that it is a place that, in the words of P.G. Wodehouse, would "well repay inspection." I hope, however, they stay away from precipices like that illustrated in the first poster.
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Hello Jim - that range of high rocks are called Stanage Edge, and they are extremely popular with any serious climber.
DeleteBy the way I was talking about my grandson not my son.
It is a very interesting area, not only for its majestic scenery but also for its historical buildings and the influential people who lived there.
Sorry, Rosemary, my mistake. I meant grandson, but obviously did not proofread my comment well. --Jim
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DeleteLove those beautiful National Park posters! Isn't genealogy fascinating -- good luck to your grandson in his investigations!
ReplyDeleteI had a strange sense of connection as I wandered around the very old buildings and busy market place where my grandson has purchased his new home.
DeleteI love hearing family history stories. We have quite a few Huguenots in Jersey escaping from France in the nineteenth century. What fabulous postcards and so good for you that your grandson has settled in such a special place for you. B x
ReplyDeleteIt does feel as if we are on a new road to discovering more about why my Grandmothers surname was Jacques.
DeleteI meant to say I once knew a journalist from Jersey with the surname Jacques.
DeletePresumably he has Huguenot descent too - it is definitely not an English name. Unfortunately our line died out with my grandmother, she was one of three girls. However, although the name has gone, the genes continue!!!
DeleteInteresting family history and wonderful posters!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteFamily stories are fascinating. From the gorgeous posters it looks like you are staying in a very scenic area with your grandson. There are some unsubstantiated stories in my family history that I'd like to dig into one day.
ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting to investigate your family history. The resources are so much better today than in the past.
DeleteI was delighted to learn what my grandson had found.
Recently there has been a series of DNA stories into various families on TV and it is surprising just how many family stories turn out to have a substantial amount of truth in them.
May be one of your grandchildren might take up the reins for you too.
We lived in Mansfield for a few years and often went to the Peak District. My Canadian husband needed the wide open spaces. I would happily retire there in one of the whitewashed cottages tucked into the hillsides. I enjoy looking at travel posters particularly 1920-40 which I think is the time period for some of these. My sister and I are working on our family history. Tearing our hair out as my mother said her grandmother was from Irish aristocracy and all the names, dates and marriages match up for Suffolk farm workers hmmm.
ReplyDeleteMy grandson loves his new location with dales, hills, moors, and rocky outcrops right on his doorstep.
DeleteDNA appears to have made hunting down family members from the past far easier today.
Hopefully, you may still come across some Irish aristocracy family members as mentioned to you by your mother!
Lovely period postcards/ posters and history. I think that first rock cliff may have been used to promote Pride and Prejudice as I remember seeing Kiera Knightly standing on a very similar cliff edge to promote it decades ago. Bob.
ReplyDeleteSpot on Bob - the rocks form a long vertical cliff called Stanage Edge which is popular with climbers and thrill seekers.
DeleteI did enjoy seeing the posters here, and how interesting to find out more about your family history.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to your Grandson in his new home.
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan - it was a very nostalgic trip for me, but so lovely to see our grandson's new home in such a beaautiful location.
DeleteWhat wonderful posters. The Peak District is an area I am not familiar with
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful area with lots to offer including several wonderful stately homes to visit.
DeleteWell fancy that, your grandson bought a home that your parents once owned, it's back into the family, Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteFamily tree is extremely interesting and wonderful to find out where we all came from.
Take care.
Sorry Margaret, I think that I may have confused you. Our grandson hasn't actually bought a house that my parents once lived in - the house he has bought is younger than me. However, he has bought a house in a beautiful old market town and it is in that town that he has discovered my great grandmother was born, i.e - his great great great grandmother.
DeleteI can imagine your happy face, Rosemary. How wonderful for your grandson to settle in Peak District where your family history lies. Working remote in such a beautiful, scenic place would have become more productive. Your grandson and his girlfriend look so active that they’d enjoy their pastime fully.
ReplyDeleteYoko
They are both really happy with their new home Yoko and feel fortunate that they still do their London careers remotely.
DeleteI enjoyed reading more about your grandson's findings in regard to your family. These younger people seem to know how to pull up our history much easier than we do - their technical skills and speed far surpass ours, haha!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteRosemary, these photos of the travel posters are just so beautiful, thanks for sharing them - our small island is definitely a place of beauty.
We're doing OK - hoping still that next year we can get back to see more of Britain.
Mary & Bob xx
I was delighted to learn of his findings Mary. Previously I only knew that my dear little grannies maiden name was Jacques. However, I had always assumed that it was possible that she had a French Huguenot connection especially as there are several Heritage silk mills within the Peak District area.
DeleteReally hoping that both of you do manage a return visit next year🤞💗
Lovely posters and a interesting post Rosemary!
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DeleteDear Rosemary, that is such a fascinating discovery! And you underlined it with those outstanding posters - they are utterly beautiful and bring back so many memories when on our last Narrow-boat-tour we walked the Pennine way (we had a car too) and through other parts of the Dale. Such a happiness for your son and his wife to be able to live there - and in London too.
ReplyDeleteHuguenots played an important role in Prussia too - Friedrich der Große who was open-minded welcomed them and as you say: they brought a lot of skills to Germany.
Isn't it fascinating that here in Bavaria the first female friend I became acquainted with is a Huguenot?
Dear Britta - although my family always assumed that we must have a Huguenot connection through the name of Jacques within my maternal grandmother's family that was all that we knew. I was thrilled to bits when my grandson found out about my grandmother's parents and that the line of Jacques goes much further back. I am looking forward to finding out more once he has subscribed to the Ancestry website and finds time to do so - they are very busy people.
DeleteThe Huguenots settled in various countries across Europe, but also went to South Africa where they were responsible for setting up their flourishing wine industry.
I adore these posters - so in keeping with the story you are weaving
ReplyDeleteIt is such a joy to hear from you. For some reason I seem to have lost touch with your blog, but will now try to revive it again.
DeleteExcellent research from your grandson and how pleasing that he has been drawn to an area that is meaningful to you. I think that many emotions and skills are unknowingly carried forward.
ReplyDeleteIt is a strange coincidence that our grandson should buy a house in the market town where my maternal great grandmother, unbeknown to me previously, was born.
DeleteThank you for your visit - it was lovely to hear from you.
What a beautiful blend of personal history and broader historical context! It’s fascinating how familiar places and family stories weave together to create such a rich narrative—your grandson’s discoveries must be so exciting for everyone. I’d love for you to take a look at my latest post too; it would be wonderful to hear your thoughts! 😊
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