Hello, I have been reading an article on Medieval genealogy and came across the terms Assize and Close Rolls. Have done a Google search but was not able to find a clear definition of what these rolls were. Can anyone please help me? Thanks Ralph Jobling

A roll is a document consisting of a number of single sheets (membranes) sewn end to end. Regards Stan Mapstone

Close Rolls are records running from 1204/5 to 1903, containing grants of the Crown originally folded (closed) and impressed with the Great Seal. They include enclosure awards, deeds poll, quit claims, provisioning of garrisons, aids and subsidies, and pardons. The reverse sides of the membranes were used for enrolment of deeds, conveyances, and records of livery of seisin, charities and wills. They form part of the archives of the Court of Chancery and are housed in the National Archives. Regards Stan Mapstone

Hi all I'm hoping someone out there can help me with some info on the Gowland family. I am looking for information on GEORGE BARKER GOWLAND born abt 1881 in West Hartlepool, who married ELIZABETH ALICE WOOLSTON in 1904. He had 3 sisters, KATE born abt 1867 in Darlington TAMAR or TAMER born abt 1873 in West Hartlepool JANE born abt 1878 in West Hartlepool And 1 brother JOHN born abt 1876 There parents were THOMAS GOWLAND born abt 1838 in Darlington & HANNA born abt 1842 in Seaton Carew The information comes from the 1881 census which shows them living at 6 Sarah St, Stranton, Durham By 1891 Thomas, Hanna, and the children John, Jane, & George living the workhouse in Throston. I also believe Tamar had a child HANNA in 1899 in West Hartlepool. If anybody out there has any information I would be grateful as I've hit a brick wall. I would love to find Thomas's parents and Hanna's maiden name, also whether there are any offspring connected to the other children. Thanks Dave Morgan

I'm hoping someone out there can help me with some info on the Gowton family. I am looking for information on William Gowton born abt 1811 who married Margaret Gowton born abt 1811. I am looking for descendants and ancestry. Maiden name for Margaret, date of marriage, death, birthplace, parents, etc. Death and birthplace for William, parents, etc. Margaret and William had son John Gowton born abt 1841(birthplace unknown) who married a Mary Brown (born in Ireland. All I know about Mary Gowton (Brown) is that Father was James John and Mary had a son, John T Gowton, born Dec 2, 1867 in Toft Hill, Evenwood, County of Durham. He is my Great Grandfather and the rest I know going forward. Thanks ________________________________________________________________________ Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

sorry to mention this again but I gave wrong address and feel I ought to correct it .Won`t mention it again It should be (mailto:membership@ndfhs.org.uk) - , best wishes from Isabel Adams

A god summary of the organisation of the DLI in WW1 is at _http://www.1914-1918.net/dli.htm_ (http://www.1914-1918.net/dli.htm) Regards Stan Mapstone

Would a paper manufacturing company require the services of an enginewright, or was this profession mainly employed in the mining industry? William BLENKINSOP of Heworth and Richard BLENKINSOP of Felling Shore were paper manufacturers. I think they were father and son. William is recorded as a paper manufacturer on daughter Mary Ann's birth details in 1833, however Mary Ann's marriage certificates ( the first in 1855 and the second in 1878) record her deceased father's profession as an enginewright on both certificates. Any thoughts greatly appreciated! Thank you Marg Smith Mardi, NSW Australia

Thank you to all the kind friends who have responded to my plea for help. Your e-mails were encouraging and helpful. My cheque is shown on my bank statement for 13th Feb. so the silence from the NDFHS may end soon. Greetings and thanks to all. Arthur Rutherford.

Many thanks to all who replied about my problem I understand that they have had a minor membership secretary problem and have appointed a new one (mailto:membership@ndfhs.co.uk) thanks Isabel

Hi I have had no reply to my application for membership weeks ago best wishes from Isabel Adams

I wonder if a member of this Rootsweb group who is also a member of the NDFHS would contact me off line to offer me help about membership. I can't get a reply from them by post or by e-mail. Thanks in anticipation. Arthur Rutherford Poole, Dorset.

I am looking for any information on John Smith born in Stockton, County Durham abt. 1871 and living in Coxhoe, County Durham in 1891. His fathers name was George Smith. John married Ann Horn in 1890 in Coxhoe. Ann was from Castle Bolton, County Yorkshire. They had a daughter Margaret born in 1892, South Otterington, sub district of Pickhill. If anyone can help me on this I would appreciate it. Thank you, Sharon

Hi Alan, you could try phoning the HQ at Bolbeck Hall, Newcastle on 0191 2612159 Regards...Shaun

My grandmother Elizabeth PIPE died in the hospital of the Tynemouth Workhouse in 1925. Would she be buried in the Tynemouth cemetery or the parish from which she came? which I believe was Christ Church in Walker, Newcastle on Tyne. Fred Faulkner Victoria Australia.

An Enginewright was the old name for a Mechanical Engineer. Regards Stan Mapstone

Hi I have discovered that Fern Lea house The Avenue Durham is next to the Farnley Towers Hotel. I wondered if someone would be kind enough to take a picture for me and send it to me . best wishes from Isabel Adams

Does anyone have any info on Fatfield House Durham where William Barras was born.

HI Has anyone come across multiple births entered as one. Im looking at a baptism photocopy of ANN ELEANOR MARY DARLING Birth: 20 JUN 1799 Christening: 20 JUN 1799 Houghton Le Spring, Durham, England Parents: Father: JOHN DARLING Family Mother: MARGARET GLENDENNON It states 3 daughter, I cant make out whether it says daughters but it definately doesnt say 3rd rather than 3 as other entries do. Its a very poor copy though, as was the record I got it from at sunderland. I havent found any other daughters anywhere- only sons. My gggg grandmother Eleanor never used the other names but she was the 3rd known child- 2 older brothers. She was baptised the same day she was born so Im thinking multiple birth and so baptised in a hurry. I will try to go through burial records at sunderland local studies tomorrow incase child deaths are recorded. Anyone any thoughts? Carol

There is a Fatfield House Farm see http://preview.tinyurl.com/2qun5z Regards Stan Mapstone