On Tuesday 06 Jan 2004 5:01 am, Edgar Iredale wrote: > On Monday 05 Jan 2004 3:40 pm, Sarah wrote: > > The Reveleys originated in Northumberland in Reveley, near Ingram, > > and then spread to Durham and Lancashire. The earliest record I have > > of Thomas Reveley, my grgrgrgrgr grandfather, is his marriage in 1734 > > in Cumberland. A letter written by his grandson in 1855 states that > > "My great grandfather was I have heard my father say resident in > > Ireland to which country I have some reasons for thinking his > > ancestors emigrated in the reign of Charles Ist from Northumberland". > > > > Based on this letter and my research of earlier Reveleys, I think the > > family could have been in Ireland because they were Border Reivers > > thrown out by Charles I, or mercenaries for Oliver Cromwell. > > Unfortunately, there are no records. Thomas and his family are the > > only Reveleys I have ever found in Cumberland, and they emigrated to > > America in 1768. > > > > Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. > > > > Sarah Reveley > > San Antonio, Texas > > I have an idea about this. It may be fanciful so I wonder if anyone > else will arrive at the same conclusion. A little lateral thinking is > needed together with some small knowledge of old Durham (County). > > Please give it some thought. I'd be very interested to see if anyone > else arrives at the same idea. > > Edgar O.K then. No replies. Does that indicate lack of interest? What I wondered was whether "Ireland" had been heard when "Islandshire" was spoken. It seemed to me that such an error would happen very easily. I think Sarah's Thomas was from Islandshire and the Cumbrians (like me) could only think of Ireland just over the water. (We all tend to hear the known rather than the unknown.) Then the story gets embellished until the original error is lost in time and detail. Any comments? Am I being silly? Edgar

>>What I wondered was whether "Ireland" had been heard when "Islandshire" was spoken. It seemed to me that such an error would happen very easily. I think Sarah's Thomas was from Islandshire and the Cumbrians (like me) could only think of Ireland just over the water. (We all tend to hear the known rather than the unknown.) Then the story gets embellished until the original error is lost in time and detail. <<Edgar Hmmm....there were Reveleys in Islandshire! According to my research, Isabella de Reveley was tenant of the Tithes of Kyloe under the Convent of Durham in 1400. William de Reveley and his wife Ivetta were for a while afterwards the benefactors to the shrine of St. Cuthbert. Between 1400 and 1600 I have numerous notes on Reveleys in Islandshire who passed down the forenames of Thomas, John, William, and George. Our Thomas named his sons George, John, William, Thomas, Francis, and Samuel. (I realize these names are common, but other Reveley lines passed down Cuthbert, Hugh, and Robert.). There are several Islandshire Reveleys who are unresearched. Thanks, Edgar! I need to seriously pursue your suggestion! Sarah in Texas