Like any group of families our lot lived lives rich in stories, misdemeanours, accidents, pastimes, tragedies, romances, achievements, scandals, fame, crimes, heroism, quirks, humour...Well, all the things that make up all our lives. This menu bar will usher you into their world. You will find that we have a lot more going on over several hundred years than might be imagined from a family originating in the agriculture of mid-Devon.

Some family trivia?

  • What was the story about the vicar, the prostitute and the Freemasons?
  • What was the tragedy of West Chapple Farm?
  • Who were the family rugby and cricket internationals?
  • Where did cousin Jack Hayden cook the last meal of Princess Elizabeth?

    • Wrestlers?Wrestlers

  • Which of our families produced two swindling MPs, a murder victim and the captor of a celebrated bandit?
  • Why was a Plymouth street named after a student nurse?
  • Who allegedly ran most of the way from Exeter to London... for a fight?
  • How did our family member contribute to early CSI in the Australian goldfields?
    Plymouth Prison HulksPlymouth prison hulks?

  • Which of our family was killed at the Battle of Hastings?
  • What was the connection between a Sandford WAAF and the Cherokee Trail of Tears?
  • How does the family connect to Coronation Street?

    Tudor statesman?REalph Sadleir

  • Who snapped when he narrowly escaped the North Devon Savages?
  • Who had success with a Shady Girl?
DBL Who she?

 

The answer to these questions and a whole host of other facts, both mundane and marvellous, can be found in these pages exploring the lives of our family members.

Relative Celebrity looks at those relations who are known for their lives or deeds beyond their family and parishes, from the distant past to the 20th century. Or celebrated locally or internationally for lives that were lived modestly, but made a difference.  Heroes, heroines, villains and notables.

 A Criminal Past exposes family members who have fallen foul of the law - some unfortunate, and some I'm afraid just plain nasty. But you can also find tales here of victims of criminal activities, and mention of crime-fighters, including family bobbies, some of whom were successful detectives.

Family members with The Artistic Gene include writers, painters and performers, architects, actors and photographers, engaging in all kinds of art, ranging from highbrow to popular to enthusiatic amateur.

And one could say that the family sportsmen and women here similarly represent many tastes and levels from professional to enthusiastic amateur, and from local to international stars. We cover a wide variety of sporting prowess!

Potpourri is as the name suggests, a mix of stories, "factoids" and titbits about the family. Some romance, some scandal, tragedy, horror, the sublime and the ridiculous. Gallimaufry is more of the same. I'm always looking for stories to include here, so anything out of the ordinary or charming, please do send it to me at:

Globe MapWhose map?