----- Original Message ----- From: Alan Norris <AlanNorris@access.net.au> To: <GIFFORD-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, July 31, 1999 3:30 AM Subject: [GIFFORD-L] Romsey Hampshire UK > I am interested in any information about my Grandfather William Gifford and > his father also William Gifford who both lived in Romsey. I think that my > Great Grandfather may have had something to do with setting up a police > force in Romsey. Contact me on anorris@access.net.au > > Thanks > > Alan Norris > > Melbourne Australia > >>>>>I have Lou Gerhig's so its much easier to type this up once & send it to everyone that wants it rather than trying to send it to you seperatly,sorry, Ramona Gifford Mc Clean GENEALOGY OF THE GIFFORD FAMILY Down to the time of their emigration to America in 1630 The Family of Giffords are of High Antiguity, and were Seated at Honfleur, in Normandy, three centuries before the conquest of England by Duke William. At the Battle of Hastings,in 1066, Sire Runddolph de Gifford was one of theConqueror's standard beaters, and was rewardedby him with land in Somereshire and Chesire wich were created into a Barony, from wich his descendents had summons to Parliament. In the reign of Henry11, Sir Peter Gifford married Alice, Daughter and Heirress of Sir Grey de Corbuchin, with whom he had the Lordship of Chillington, in Chesire, wich was the seat of the Dukes of Buckingham of this family. Stephen Gifford was one of the Barons accompanying Richard Coeur de Lion, to the Holy Lands, and was killed in the siege of Jerusalem;and his son,Sir Stephen was wounded there. This family enjoyed great distinctions in the English Courts for several centuries, and no less than five peerages existed in it at one time. Baron George Gifford was made Earl of Buckingham by Henery V, But joining the house of York against that of Lancaster, and being one of the prime favorites of King Edward V,he was created Duke ofBuckingham And married the Princess Maud Plantaganet, the King's cousin. His Son, George Gifford, Duke of Buckingham, Was one of the favorites of the Duke of Gloucester - afterwards King Richard 111, and being detected in the act of corresponding with the Earl of Richmond(Henry 11)he was attainted of High Treason and beheaded by Richard's Orders. The Duke of Buckingham left several infant children, but as theyas they had been deprived of their lands and titles, that mercenary King V11 found it more convenient not to restore them, and Humphrey Stafford, a very powerful noble, having married the eldest daughter of Henry,and was created by him, the Duke of Buckingham. The Staffords followed the fate of their maternal ancestor, and the Grandson of Humphrey was beheaded and his family deprived of their estates Of the Sons ofthe last George Gifford, Duke of Buckingham,George continued the first line and continually solicited the Crown and Parliament for his restoration; but from the opposition of his powerful brother- in - law (Stafford ), was always defeated. The Giffords, in the riegn of King Henry V111 and Queens Mary and Elizabeth ineffectually put their claims before the English Parliament, never, however being able to attain a judgement. In the reign of James 1, Sir Ambrose Gifford claimed before the House of Peers to be Duke of Bellingham, and in the second reign of Charles 1 his claim was disallowed on account of his poverty. (See Dugale's Extracts and Baronies.) Walter Gifford, the son of Sir Ambrose, emigrated from England to Massachusetts Bay in 1630, and was the originator of the American branch of the ancient family. Of the descendants of this family who have been noted, are the celebrated critic, Sir John Gifford and Lord Gifford, the master of the Rolls, who prosecuted, while English Attorny General, the wife of George the 1V(Queen Caroline) upon a charge of high crimes and misdemeannnors. Coat of Arms Gules,three lionspassent; argent; crest, and arm couped above the elbow;vested or, charged with two barswavy azzure; cuffed white; holding in the hand a stag's head-cabosed, gules. "Non Sine Numin" Explanation-- Gules - red; Argent- white; Cuped- cut off; Vested- gold; Azure- Blue; Cabosed- with out the neck. Motto - " Nothing without the Divinity" Mediaa Research Bureau, Washington D. C. Gifford is of Norman Origin and means "Liberal Gifter" Was written Giffart or Gifferd Love to All, Ramona "Mona"Gifford Mc Clean Both my Mother's & Father's sodes of the family had the messy habit of getting themselves seperated from their HEADS!!! > >