Yesterday was a day of discovery with regard to North Molton. I actually discovered a two book thesis created by Norman Arnett in 1965 in England although the thesis itself is not online. But I did find one section looking at the population of North Molton had been reproduced in a journal. It was interesting to read through that. It would be wonderful if all of these theses could be put online as there is so much thought in them by young and eager researchers working towards advanced degrees. I may scan Edward's thesis and put it up online as his research is still ongoing around the world and he is still cited in people's work as his work was some of the initial study in his field. When I think of the waste of his entire class year that went on and did PhDs and did not receive tenured faculty positions in Canada I am truly concerned that we would educate so many students and then hire people who were from elsewhere outside the country - some for sure as diversity in research is important but not all - our own students should come first. If diversity is so great where are the Nobel prizes going; how many Canadian Nobel prizes are there in the history of Nobel prizes? Employment for our own first; diversity comes after that.
As I delve into the History of North Molton I am fortunate that British History Online has so much information available. An interesting Inquisition Postmortem for a John Pencombe was abstracted and he is the person of interest to me at the moment as I rather think it was his grandson or great grandson that came to North Molton with John Lord Zouch in the latter part of the 1480s although now I am wondering in what capacity he did come (I ordered the full document and it will come if possible to reproduce in a month or so but it is from one hundred years earlier; I just want a base to work with there in Herefordshire). Was he, the Pencombe who came, an adherent to the cause of Richard III or was he simply sent by the now King Henry VII to accompany the attainted John Lord Zouch to his relation's home in North Molton. Since the Pencombe family acquired lands in North Molton the latter does sound more likely. It could be that such a record exists in the files of King Henry VII. History is fascinating, I have always thought so actually but did not choose that as my study course, and pursuing it now in my old age is certainly a fascinating experience.
I am gradually getting the revised Siderfin book to repositories so that it is available to researchers although the reads on my blog do indicate a large interest and this is not a large family by any means as one would describe it as a small study. I am surprised not to have any comments with regard to my premises as I am sure lots of people have opinions but it is a very small family. It also takes time to disagree with a person.
Today is Blake research today and I am still working on the yDNA chapter but also looking forward to talking about the early history of Andover, Hampshire, England although this family when it is first seen in the records is at Knights Enham which is now part of Andover. The John Blake that I noted in the early 1300s was a while ago and although I clearly remember seeing it I was a newbie at the time and did not properly record it. I always rely on my memory but these days I record in detail the source! Memory is good; but the written word much better.
Breakfast time is soon but a little more work first and I am charging up my Fitbit as it was running out. The Fitbit though needs replacing one of these days, it is over two years now since it was given to me and the newer ones are interesting. Does it control my life? not really as I can do without it but it is nice to have the 24 hour reflection on how I spent the day as exercise is important to me. I must start looking at the newer ones.
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