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Solving a Mystery In My Devon Ancestry

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Trips while living in Woodland Park CO from August 2005 to the present

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Europe » United Kingdom » England » Devon » Exeter
May 1st 2019
Published: June 2nd 2019
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This is a story of my maternal ancestors. Prior to visiting Devon the first week of May 2019, I had populated my maternal ancestry family tree back to 1103 and then to 240 AD (see prior blog at Planning my Ancestral Investigations in Devon). According to "The Baronetage of England" in that year, "Galfridus (Latin for Geoffrey) Miles (Knight) had his seat at Northcote, in the parish of East Down i... Read Full Entry



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Bob Carlsen
Home and Away
Home and Away
I started blogging on Travelblog in 2009, entering trips beginning in 2007. My intention has always been to document my years of travel since my birth...how else was I to save all the slides my Dad took of my childhood! Most bloggers write about their trips away from home. Mine, and eventually Linda's, homes have usually been where people travel to. So the idea eventually percolated to name our blog "Home and Away." The blog is not intended to be an autobiography, although I spent my entire life traveling, with Linda joining me after college, it may appear to be that way. As this... full info
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Church of St. Michael the Archangel in ChagfordChurch of St. Michael the Archangel in Chagford
Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Chagford
Memorial to Mary Whiddon, the bride who was shot as she left the churchMemorial to Mary Whiddon, the bride who was shot as she left the church
Memorial to Mary Whiddon, the bride who was shot as she left the church
It states: “Reader wouldst know who here is laid, Behold a matron yet maid, A modest look, a pious heart, A Mary for the better part, But dry thine eyes, why wilt thou weep – Such damsels do not die but sleep.”
Me having lunch at the Three CrownsMe having lunch at the Three Crowns
Me having lunch at the Three Crowns
Sir Arthur bought the King Nympton manor from the Pollard familySir Arthur bought the King Nympton manor from the Pollard family
Sir Arthur bought the King Nympton manor from the Pollard family
Pyne Manor, which became the Northcote family seat upon Sir Henry Northcote's marrige to Bridget Stafford in 1732Pyne Manor, which became the Northcote family seat upon Sir Henry Northcote's marrige to Bridget Stafford in 1732
Pyne Manor, which became the Northcote family seat upon Sir Henry Northcote's marrige to Bridget Stafford in 1732
Veronica at the Upton Pyne ChurchVeronica at the Upton Pyne Church
Veronica at the Upton Pyne Church
Northcote burial plot at the Upton Pyne ChurchNorthcote burial plot at the Upton Pyne Church
Northcote burial plot at the Upton Pyne Church
Memorials to various Northcotes at the Upton Pyne ChurchMemorials to various Northcotes at the Upton Pyne Church
Memorials to various Northcotes at the Upton Pyne Church
Beer Engine Pub in Upton PyneBeer Engine Pub in Upton Pyne
Beer Engine Pub in Upton Pyne
Tea at Veronica's homeTea at Veronica's home
Tea at Veronica's home
St Paul's Church in LympstoneSt Paul's Church in Lympstone
St Paul's Church in Lympstone
The harbor in Lympstone where my three times great grandfather Thomas Northcott left Devon for Newfoundland in about 1813The harbor in Lympstone where my three times great grandfather Thomas Northcott left Devon for Newfoundland in about 1813
The harbor in Lympstone where my three times great grandfather Thomas Northcott left Devon for Newfoundland in about 1813
Exeter CathedralExeter Cathedral
Exeter Cathedral
Where several ancestors were married.
Statue of James Northcote, artist, in Exeter CathedralStatue of James Northcote, artist, in Exeter Cathedral
Statue of James Northcote, artist, in Exeter Cathedral
He was a distant relative down another branch. Three of his portraits are in the National Portrait Gallery, but in storage.
William Courtenay, Archbishop of Canterbury and 19th great uncleWilliam Courtenay, Archbishop of Canterbury and 19th great uncle
William Courtenay, Archbishop of Canterbury and 19th great uncle
King Henry IV and his queen Mary De Bohun, my 2nd cousin 19 times removed, interred at Canterbury CathedralKing Henry IV and his queen Mary De Bohun, my 2nd cousin 19 times removed, interred at Canterbury Cathedral
King Henry IV and his queen Mary De Bohun, my 2nd cousin 19 times removed, interred at Canterbury Cathedral
Original Northcott Coat of Arms and family tree in the British LibraryOriginal Northcott Coat of Arms and family tree in the British Library
Original Northcott Coat of Arms and family tree in the British Library
Note that the spelling Northcott was used throughout
Northcott family tree at the British LibraryNorthcott family tree at the British Library
Northcott family tree at the British Library
Note that most names were spelled Northcott, one was Northcote, and the signature was John Northcot. The spelling of the family name was inconsistent in this one document.



2nd June 2019

GregCath
Catherine and Gregory Harper

Greetings
Great to see your on-going and quality blogs Bob! Keep enjoying the journey! We will be back at it later this year, after a fair gap. Too many other platforms I guess. Greg and Catherine
2nd June 2019

Kuan Yin
Karen Johnson

Godolphin Stables
The name "Godolphin" in your ancestry caught my eye - I've heard of Godolphin Stables, a very successful horse training and breeding facility for thoroughbreds. I don't know if you are related to Sydney Godolphin, appointed Commissioner of the Treasury in 1684. As good as Sydney was with finances, he also fancied horse racing.He is given credit for starting horse breeding in Newmarket Suffolk. Today the Godolphin Stables are owned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, and is located in Newmarket. There is an interesting history of the stables at https://www.godolphin.com/about-us/the-godolphin-story
2nd June 2019

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Godolphin Stables
Sir Sydney Godolphin was the brother in law of my eight times great grandfather. Thanks for the information.
2nd June 2019

Patricia Smallman
non-member comment

Thanks so much for sharing. Your journey into your family’s past is most interesting.
2nd June 2019

Grahame Benvie
non-member comment

Fascinating read
What a journey you have had and obviously several mysteries unfloded for you.Are you on Ancestry for your family tree?We visited a small village called KIngswood 3 years ago to trace my English side and got back to around 1600.It was very interesting to see where more recent relatives lived in the mid 1800's as the row of houses are still there and being lived in.My g g grandfather emigrated to New Zealand after marrying in London before they left.He was one of 9 children and the only one to emigrate.The family were weavers and mill workers.Did you uncover any monet stashed away for the first surviving relative to claim?We plan to be back in the UK and Ireland next year for more research centred arounf my Irish and Scottish heritage.
2nd June 2019

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Ancestry
Yes, my family tree is on Ancestry.com under the Carlsen name.
3rd June 2019

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Digging for the Roots
A fantastic voyage to uncover family roots. It gives a perspective on how far your family has come. When we were in Switzerland we discovered several spellings of Dave's name. As you said things were done differently back in the day. Glad you are watching Downton Abbey... we binge watched that recently. We thought we were the only ones who had not seen it.
9th June 2019

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Fascinating!
A very interesting read, and well done indeed on having been able to find out so much about your ancestry and ancestors. The parts of Devon you were in seem so English and lovely! It must have been an amazing experience walking the old stomping grounds of your ancestors.
9th June 2019

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Fascinating!
I did a lot of research before the trip, and then made the contacts at the various churches, to make this such a fascinating journey of discovery. Thanks for your comment!
7th April 2020

Dina L. Northcutt
non-member comment

Galfridus was my 26th GG Father...
7th April 2020

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Galfridus...
and my 27th great grandfather. That's very interesting! Did any of my family tree mentioned in my blog intersect with yours further on down the line? Do you have a family tree on Ancestry.com? Where do you live?
30th October 2020

Jeanette Sheppard
non-member comment

Husband's family
I found your blog very informative, I have been researching my husband's tree for years, he is descended from the Furse family of Dolton Devon. He is descended from the Northcotes through Honor Northcote 1558-1641 a daughter of John II & Elizabeth Downish. I loved seeing your photos,it is impossible for us to visit all connected places, his tree is enormous.
30th October 2020

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Husband's family...
Honor Northcote is my 11th great aunt. I have her, her husband John, and their 3 children Elizabeth, Thomas and Ann Furse in my family tree, which is also very large. It got so large (over 10,000) that I recently deleted almost everyone who was not in my or my wife's bloodline or a brother or sister of someone in our bloodline. The reason I did so was that it took me over a month to review all the hints provided by Ancestry, and this was without adding the supporting documentation to each individual...I just checked to be sure that the documents were supportive. My wife and my bloodlines intersect in many places. With help of a distant Northcote/Northcott/Northcutt cousin, Dina Northcutt (a descendant of Sir John Northcote's grandson John who moved to the British colony of Virginia and then Kentucky). I was able to track the Northcote ancestry from Sir Galfridus Fitzwalter de Northcote to his father, Walter le Ponz, to Mauger le Ponz, Archbishop of Rouen, to Richard II "The Good" 3rd Duke of Normandy, to Richard I "The Fearless" 2nd Duke of Normandy, to William I "Longsword" 1st Duke of Normandy, to Rollo "the Viking" who was given Normandy by the French King in return for keeping other Vikings from attacking Paris, to several Jarls and Kings of Norway, who themselves were descendants of the Yngling Kings of Sweden, whose lineage is traced back in the Yngling Saga to King Fjolnir who was born in 240 AD from the Norse God Freyr and the Giantess Gerd. our 59th great grandparents according to the myths! It was great hearing from you!
25th December 2020

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Husband's family...
a further response. I also had too many ancestors in my tree so pared them down by paring down to just the pedigree plus brothers and sisters (aunts and uncles). I still have about 10,000. As far as travel is concerned I've targeted the direct Northcote line, and now my wife's Scottish ancestry with a trip planned there in June. Perhaps in 2022 we might visit some villages in Poland and Slovakia from where her great grandparents immigrated.
6th December 2020

Josh Northcote
non-member comment

Incredible
What an amazing read this was! Thank you
25th December 2020

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Incredible
Thanks for reading my blog and finding it "incredible." I love researching ancestors, and recently took a very deep dive into my wife's ancestors in Scotland.
24th December 2020

Jean Cresswell
non-member comment

Northcote
Hello Bob, I came across your fascinating blog recently. I have been researching my maternal grandmother's tree. She was born Florence Northcote in 1887 in Birmingham England. Her father was was William Henry Northcote who ran a pub in Birmingham called The French Horn'. His father was Edwin John Northcote was was a Customs House Officer in Plymouth Devon, he moved to Birmingham in the 1850's, where work was plentiful. This was as much as I could discover at the time and I concentrated on other family trees. Returning to the Northcotes last year I found via Ancestry.Com the links to other trees tracing our Northcote's back to John Nothcote and Isota Metford., which means we are very distantly related! Its a fascinating story and feels good to have such a distinguished heritage! I'm hoping to visit some of the sights in Devon next year, its strange to think we have holidayed in Devon so many times, unaware that my ancestors belonged there. Best wishes Jean Cresswell, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham UK
25th December 2020

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Northcote
I've responded to your email address. You should also read my next blog where I research the Northcote pedigree in the British Library where I got a library card!
4th January 2021

Sue
non-member comment

Northcote Ancestry
My GG grandmother was Susanna Northcote of Morchard Bishop, Devon. I have traced her line back as far as Roger Northcote of Lapford but have only been able to guess who his father was. Possibly a John Northcote of Crediton whose father was Philip Northcote of Crediton who married Julyan Tresillian. All of this is supposition, but I am pretty sure I have correctly identified Roger Northcote. As you mention in your interesting blog, the surname changed so much. My ancestor, Susanna travelled to London in the 1840's after the death of her schoolteacher father, Henry Northcote and died in poverty. Ironically, her eldest brother, Henry born in 1812 went off to Cambridge Uni and became a Barrister practicing in London. He moved back to Crediton after death of his first wife and had a house build there called Oakfield House. He was also on the Board of Trustees in Crediton and was buried in the churchyard there with his second wife Elizabeth. His daughter, Frances married 3 times and finally became Lady Barnwell Best. So while Frances lived a life of luxury, her Aunt (my ancestor) lived in Drury Lane at the worst possible time of disease. However, her descendents survived and lived to research! Good luck with your research.
5th January 2021

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Northcote Ancestry...
Thanks for sharing your Northcote ancestry. In my view, everyone whose last name is Northcote/Northcott/Northcutt or any other variation must have descended from Galfridus de Northcote. There are many paths one could take over the 900 years since 1073 AD and you have identified another. I'm sorry to hear that your GG grandmother got the short end of the stick so to speak. I thought families would take care of each other, or at least keep them out of poverty.
5th January 2021

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Northcote Ancestry...
I was able to look up your ancestors on my family tree. Philip Northcote and Julian Kearne de Tresilian were my 11th great uncle/aunt. My tree indicates that their parents and on up the chain were: Walter Northcote of Crediton and Elizabeth Hill John Northcote of Uton Crediton and Alice Durke John Northcote and Joan Passimere Walter Northcote and Alice Mamhead John Northcote and Johanna Luttrell John Northcote and Isota Medford Walter de Northcote and Elizabeth Hawksworthy John de Northcote and Isolda Sutton John de Northcote and Margery de Buckington John de Northcote and Joan de Moels William de Northcote and Matilda de Hillion Andrew de Northcote and Matilda Faber William de Northcote and Margarita de Afeton Geoffrey de Northcote John FritzGaulfrid Sir Galfridus (Geoffrey) FitzWalter de Northcote I cannot find a Roger in this chain, which is well documented. You can read my comments to others here as to the ancestry above Galfridus...all the way past the Dukes of Normandy to the Earls and Kings of Norway and Sweden to 240 AD where King Fjolnir of Uppsala was born to the Norse god Freyr and the Giantess Gerd. I hope this helps!
5th January 2021

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Northcote Ancestry...
I just checked the chain going down from Philip and found that he had a grandson Roger (1623-1696) from Lapford and moved to Morchard Bishop who married Johan Ricord, a great grandson named Roger (1649-1690) from Morchard Bishop who married Francis Gater, a 2nd great grandson Roger (1678-1761) also from Morchard Bishop who married Francis Radford, and a 3rd great grandson Roger (1713-1742) also from Morchard Bishop, Devon. That's as far down this chain I went as they were not in my pedigree. Which Roger is your most recent ancestor? Once you make this connection, you can go all the way up the tree!
3rd May 2022

Jane
non-member comment

Northcott Southcombe
Thank you so much Bob Carlson for your interesting, informative ancestry. My 6th great grandmother Rebecca Northcott was born in Hatherleigh, Devon, in 1695. Her grandson John Northcott Southcombe was born in Hatherleigh, Devon (my 4th grandfather). Rebecca’s father was John Northcott, and her mother was Elizabeth Colridge. They were married at St Petrock, Exeter, Devon, in 1692. Rebecca’s 4th great grandmother was Julyan Kearne of Tresillian, whose husband was Philip Northcott (my 11th great grandparents) I am still not sure I am on the right track tracing back to Phillip Northcott, who is on my direct bloodline. I hope you can help me trace back as I find it hard with too many “John Northcott”! Keep posting, Bob! ?
3rd May 2022

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Northcott Ancestry
Julyan Kearne of Tresillian and Philip Northcott were my 11th great aunt and uncle. My 11th great grandfather John Northcott, was Phillip's brother. I have not traced Phillips descendants...my tree is already too large at 11,000 ancestors! But our 12th great grandparents are Walter Northcott and Elizabeth Hill. I've traced their pedigree back to Sir Galfridus FitzWalter de Northcote the progenitor of the Northcote/Northcott name, and beyond to the Dukes of Normandy, and the kings of Norway, Sweden and Denmark to King Fjolnir (240-300 AD), the progenitor of the Yngling dynasty. You can also trace our ancestors by going to GoogleBooks and searching for Devonshire Wills, starting on page 441. Galfridus was the son of Walter le Ponz, the son of Mauger le Ponz, Archbishop of Rouen, the son of Richard, 4th Duke of Normandy, descended from the 1st duke, Rollo "The Viking." The do a Google search for Rollo and select the geni.com link. This will take you all the way back to King Fjolnir. I hope this helps!
4th May 2022

Jane
non-member comment

Northcott Southcombe
Thank you for getting back to me. Wow, that's wonderful to know that Phillip Northcott was your 11th great grandfather’s brother. I have Walter Northcott and Elizabeth Hill in my ancestry...yep, our 12th great grandparents! Thank you for your suggestion to Google, these people. I am amazed with new discoveries!! It would be great if you're able to trace Phillip’s descendants during your spare time...it would be greatly appreciated. As I still have issues tracing too many Johns Northcott, haha! My 6th great grandmother was Rebecca Northcott 1695-1742, whose father was John Northcott 1667-. He was married to Elizabeth Colridge. John’s parents were John Northcott and Gertrude Gartrod. I think he was born in 1643 in Devon, England. However, I struggle to locate his biological parents - John Northcott 1624-1671 and Johane Bawden 1624-1701 OR Arthur Northcott 1628-1688 and Elizabeth Godolphin 1635-1707. From Northcott to Southcombe to Honeychurch to Jewell to this current generation Hocking. ?
5th May 2022

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Northcott Ancestry
Sir Arthur Northcote, 2nd Baronet of Hayne, and Elizabeth Godolphin's only children were Elizabeth Northcote; Sir Francis Northcote, 3rd Baronet of Hayne; Sir Henry Northcote, 4th Baronet of Hayne; Suzanna Northcote; Dorothy Northcote; Penelope Northcote; and Charles Northcote. Since we are distant cousins, can I ask if you are you located in the UK? I'm from Colorado USA.
5th May 2022

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Phillip's descendants...
were: John Northcote (1589-?); Elizabeth Northcote (?-?); Walter Northcote (?-?); Bridget Northcote (1593-?); and Phillip Northcote (1591-?).
28th August 2023

Gillian Bonsall
non-member comment

Northcotes
Hello distant cousin! I enjoyed reading your blog about your connection with the Northcotes. Our common ancestor is Arthur Northcote. I am descended from his marriage to Elizabeth Godolphin and later through the Stafford/Northcote connection. Fascinating stuff!
29th August 2023

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

And hello back to you!!!
I hope you have a chance to visit Devon as I did in the steps of our ancestors!

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