I return to the list after a long absence imposed by illness and I send warm greetings to all listers and especially to anyone who may remember me. Long-term members with long memories may remember that in April 2007 I posted a question about Dutchmen in Lowestoft, since it seemed that my 3xgreat grandmother, Mary MILES, was left at the altar by a certain John PELLS, alias Jan PELTZ/PEELS. The banns had been called three times in the summer of 1812 at St Peter, Gunton, near Lowestoft, but the marriage had never taken place. Two months later my 2x great grandfather, James MILES, was born out of wedlock. Subsequently I discovered that a John PELTZ had married Ann CATCHPOLE apparently at Lowestoft in Nov 1813 and again, a fortnight later, at Gunton. They had two sons and a daughter, John Catchpole PELTZ, Cornelius Catchpole PELTZ and Esther PELTZ. Later again I found John Catchpole PELLS in the 1861 census living at Feltwell in Norfolk. His occupation was listed as falconer. I thought listers might like to know that I have recently been contacted by a descendant of John PELLS who advised me to look for John on the internet. Lo and behold, I discover that he was a famous falconer, who worked for various members of the aristocracy, and was responsible for establishing the 'Dutch school of falconry' in England. More important, for me at least, was the news that his father, Jan PEELS, was also a falconer, born at Valkenwaards, in North Brabant, Netherlands, who came to Lowestoft and worked as falconer for John Dawson DOWNES Esq of Gunton Old Hall. As I mentioned in my original post five years ago, my mother, rest her soul, had spoken often of a family tradition of Dutch blood in the family but I had never been able to find evidence of it. Of course, I have no firm evidence now, but I retain hope, like Mr Micawber, that 'something will turn up'. I have no idea what happened to prevent that wedding in 1812, but I am now more inclined to believe that he is my 3X great grandfather. Perhaps he had to go off somewhere just before the wedding, perhaps even back to Holland, and perhaps by the time he came back Mary had had the child and died (I haven't been able to find any record of her after the birth of her son, James). Perhaps Jan took James into his own care and brought him up with his own sons by Ann Catchpole; perhaps that's how my James met Mary Ann Catchpole whom he later married. Only a miracle will ever solve these problems, but it is fascinating to speculate. I have told this long story partly because I am too excited to keep it to myself and partly as an encouragement to 'newish' family historians who may be up against a brick wall. One never knows when evidence will materialize and this is especially true as more and more records, of all kinds, are becoming available on the internet. Only six weeks ago, I was pointed to a will which enabled me to take my OUTLAW line back another five generations and more than a hundred years, but that's a story for the Norfolk list. I apologize for celebrating my return to the list with such a long post: I promise to be more succinct in future. Best wishes to all Michael OUTLAW Shanklin, isle of Wight

Welcome back, Michael ! Hope you are well and raring to go, now :) It sounds like you have the inspiration, at least ;) I remember your story. I too, still around, but haven't done much on the family tree, as I was stuck in every direction ... until recently I have eventually got the proof I needed to prove my gggrandfather was one and the same as a NOTTS born lad, and came to Australia as a Convict. My first Convict !!! Only took me 36 years to find him, but at the "instinct point" in about 1997 I followed this guy form Notts back to the 1400s, and now I know it IS my family, not "I'll trace it just in case ..." So ... moral of the story .... NEVER give up ! I have also just recently been aided by some lovely Suffolk Listers, Patricia BRIDGES, Carolyn BOON and Helen CATCHPOLE (there is that name again, Michael) and they have enabled me to get a break on my Suffolk ancestry again, so look out for some more posts from me, too, I hope ! Cheers, Deb. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Michael Outlaw Sent: Sunday, 7 October 2012 9:21 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [SFK-UK] Dutchmen in Lowestoft: John PELLS, falconer. I return to the list after a long absence imposed by illness and I send warm greetings to all listers and especially to anyone who may remember me. Long-term members with long memories may remember that in April 2007 I posted a question about Dutchmen in Lowestoft, since it seemed that my 3xgreat grandmother, Mary MILES, was left at the altar by a certain John PELLS, alias Jan PELTZ/PEELS. The banns had been called three times in the summer of 1812 at St Peter, Gunton, near Lowestoft, but the marriage had never taken place. Two months later my 2x great grandfather, James MILES, was born out of wedlock. <snipped> I apologize for celebrating my return to the list with such a long post: I promise to be more succinct in future. Best wishes to all Michael OUTLAW Shanklin, isle of Wight ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message