If we could trace Louise’s Jervis family back far enough, we would eventually find our common grandparent.
And if we did find that ancestor, we could perhaps trace forward to find our Elizabeth.
A running start
Louise had done lots of research in earlier years, so we had a running start. She kicked it off in September 2018.
Hi Mark,
Yes, I corresponded briefly last year with your son Joseph. I had arranged for my only male Jervis cousin, Eric Jervis, to take the DNA test on my behalf.
Unfortunately, these days I’m unable to find much time to pursue my love of genealogy, due to my husband’s medical condition.
So here were Louise’s paternal ancestors, starting with her father – John Jervis. Wow. Maybe our work was already done.
- John Jervis (F) b. 1902 m. Edith Mary Helen Patey
- John Jervis (G) b. 1878 m. Edith Heath
- Henry Jervis (1G) b. 1848 m. Rosa McDonald
- Henry Jervis (2G) b. 1819 m. Ann Millington
- Thomas Jervis (3G) b. ca 1770s m. Ann ?
Louise continued, mentioning Staffordshire as an 1800s family location. Very exciting.
Thomas Jervis was a farmer. Unfortunately, his wife’s maiden name is not given, as happened so often in those days, so here I hit a brick wall.
Thomas and Ann had two sons, Henry – (4 above) and George. These two were baptised together in 1819, at St. Peter’s church, Maer, Staffordshire. We visited Maer many years ago and the area is, or was then, very rural.
Louise added this interesting comment, that family lore mentioned a connection to Admiral John Jervis.
The family seem to have been seated in that part of Staffordshire, certainly in the late 1700’s – as was the family of the famous Jervis; Sir John Jervis, later Earl St. Vincent – sometime Lord of the Admiralty, and Nelson’s commanding officer (later Admiral Lord Nelson) – he whose instructions Nelson famously defied – to win the battle which brought him recognition and fame. According to family lore, there is a distant genealogical connection, which is likely, the area involved being so small.
And she signed off.
It was good to hear from you – please do keep in touch.
Louise. ( your . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .’th cousin !!!!! )
Staffordshire – Where’s that?
Louise commented that the family was seated in Staffordshire. Over a span of 130 years, all these five generations of her father and grandfathers were born in that county.
All five generations were born within ten miles of each other!
Louise’s dad and grandfather, the two Johns, were mobile during their 20th century lifetimes. But the older generations lived their lives in this small area.
Chances are good that we will find earlier generations of Louise’s family in this area.
That’s exciting. I can’t wait to start searching for those earlier ancestors, and then find our Elizabeth.
But first, let’s take a look at these five families.
Nibbles Note:
Let me explain the generation notation, like “Henry Jervis (2G).” (2G) means 2nd great-grandparent.
Louise is the “home person”. So this notation shows the relationship to Louise. Henry Jervis (2G) is Louise’s second great-grandfather.
Nibbles Extra Credit
Meet Joan Louise Jervis Longworth (Part 1)
Hi Louise. Where do you live?
I live outside a village called Usk. It’s just over the border in South Wales.
Usk has a castle. Well, ruins of one, but which was very important in its day. King Henry V was due to be born here, but decided to arrive early so the Queen gave birth in nearby Monmouth. So poor old Usk is nearly/almost/could have been extremely famous.
George and I for many years commuted back and forth from London to Usk. A few years ago, upon retirement, we started to put down roots here in Usk, even though we’re not Welsh.
Louise, we were so sorry about George.
Thank you. George and I have had a long and happy life together. As you know, for the past few years I have tended to George’s care.
We lost him in the early hours of Sunday June 9 last year. Although I knew it had to come, it was, nevertheless, a huge shock and so difficult to comprehend.
The family was marvelous – flying in from all points East and West.
And your sons?
We have two sons and four grandchildren – three girls and one boy. It is our elder son, Tim (Timothy Robin Jervis Longworth) who lives in Sicily, where he teaches at the University of Catania and at the European School.
Nick (Nicholas Roger Simon Longworth), our younger son, moved last year with his family, Alison and Ollie, from London to the beautiful Cotswolds – to a town called ‘Chipping Norton.’
Sources
- Louise Longworth correspondence – Louise Longworth – September 18, 2018
- Staffordshire and Usk maps – Google Maps
- Usk Castle – Plate from: “The Castles & Abbeys of Monmouth” J.S. Prout. 1838 – The National Library of Wales – http://www.llgc.org.uk/en/
- Photo of Jervis Family – Longworth family memorabilia
Family Nibbles 