Pask Family Gathering 2008 - Update

Last weekend we visited Jo Pask, who is assisting us with the coordination of the Pask Family Gathering in Whepstead, Suffolk in July 2008.

Jo arranged for us to visit the village hall at Whepstead. We are truly delighted with the hall. It has excellent facilities, including the adjacent cricket and playing fields that can be used for the caravans and campers who are attending the Family Gathering. Additionally, set off the main road, there is parking facilities for 60-70 cars. The hall has a large, very well equipped kitchen, and bar, and meets our requirements superbly.

Additionally, during the weekend we were invited to an sumptuous dinner with Judy, who has very kindly volunteered to provide the BBQ for the evening event.

The remainder of the weekend was spent scanning over 100 photographs from Jo's family albums. These will be included in the new book Pasks of Wickhambrook, Suffolk. We are currently putting the final touches to the book and hope to have it released next week.

Sampler in Memory of Margret Herd

This information relates to the blue-icon tree - descendants of Johannis [John] & Elizabeth Pask née Archer, who lived in Lincolnshire.




Yesterday evening I received a delightful e-mail from Alicja Fraser of Lincolnshire. She wrote:

I found the attached Sampler up in the attic of my home, several years ago. I came across it again today when tidying up and thought I would Google it and found the website about the Pask family and your email address. I wonder whether the sampler refers to your family tree. If so would you like it or is there a Herd family member that might like it?

I established that Margret [or Margaret] Herd was the mother of Elizabeth Pask née Herd, who was born in Heighington in 1829. Elizabeth married Michael Pask on 25 May 1853 in Washingborough. Elizabeth & Michael had seven children, including Sarah Ann Pask, who married Charles Willey, an ancestor of Andrew Willey, a researcher who contacted us in 2005, and provided a wealth of information on this family.

We will be contacting Andrew today, as Alicja is happy to pass on the sampler to his family.

William Alfred & Anna Sarah Pask née Rowe

This information relates to the khaki-icon tree - descendants of Peter & Catherine Pask née Frost, born 1739 in Kedington, Suffolk.

Last month Judith Crust contacted us about William & Alice Maria Bartram née Pask. Judith wrote:

I recently discovered that my Great Grandfather's brother William Bartram married Alice and that she was a Pask. Although she is not a direct relative I have being doing a bit of research into her family. My mother was writing to Alice and I have letters from her dating 1954, so finding she died in 1955 explains why the letters stopped. ... My Great Grandfather Francis Bartram went back to England in 1936/37 (he came out to Australia to live ) and I have photos with the name of Mr and Mrs Pask written on the back.

Today, Judith has conquered her new scanner, and provided the first of several photographs. This first photograph written on the back is Mr and Mrs Pask 17.05.37 at Cromer. Mr & Mrs Pask were William Alfred & Anna Sarah Pask née Rowe.

This would coincide with the jubilee of King George VI's coronation on 12 May 1937. Only last week, when shopping at the nearby Brooklands M & S, we saw a similar car in the car park, and took a long time admiring it.
Since thanks to Judith for her perservance with the scanner, it was well worth her efforts.

Descendants of William & Caroline Amelia Paske née Budding

This information relates to Chart 4, the descendants of William Paske, (1768 - 1855) from Cwmcarvan, Monmouthshire.

Sylvia Rycroft has contacted us. She writes:

I am a direct descendant of William Paske and Caroline Amelia Budding (Usk, Mon) and have been researching my family tree for some years. My grandmother was Isabella Agatha Paske, daughter of Charles Paske and Adelaide Middleton.

This is particularly good news as we are about to start the preparations for the third book Pasks of Monmouthshire. Hopefully Sylvia can help us tie us some loose ends here, and also provide some valuable photographs. We look forward to exchanging information with Sylvia.

Website Update 17 November 2007

The website was updated today Saturday 17 November. This update includes information as detailed in the previous blogs:

Lambeth Marriages

Descendants of James & Martha Pask née Heath

Descendants of Edward & Ellen Pask née Branham

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed. A full list of these recent changes to the narratives is available in the New or Changed Narratives section. There are now 6,891 narratives available.

Descendants of Edward & Ellen Pask née Branham

This information relates to Chart 16, the descendants of --?-- Pask, who lived in Hackthorne, Lincolnshire. He was the father of Thomas and William Pask.

Over the past few days we have been in contact with Jacqueline Brown via Genes Reunited. She is researching the descendants of Edward & Ellen Pask née Branham, in particular their daughter Charlotte Pask.

Jacqueline has provided information on the marriage of Charlotte to John William Hair, and their four children. This included Theresa Winifred Brooks née Hair, who was the mother, of Carol Gage née Brooks. Carol kindly provided information on this family in 2006, including photographs of Edward, and his wife Ellen Pask née Branham.

Descendants of James & Martha Pask née Heath

This information relates to Chart 30, the descendants of James Pask, (1835 - ) who lived in the hamlet of Southrow, or Southrey, near Bardney, Lincolnshire.

During the past few days we have been in contact with Bernard Seeling, the great-grandson of James & Martha Pask née Heath. Bernard's mother was Marie (or Maria) Pask, who married Charles Edward Arthur Seeling.

Charles was born in Auckland New Zealand, but lived in Wigan Lancashire, where he played for Wigan Rugby League before transferring to Dewsbury in 1937.

Bernard has provided a wealth of information relating to this family, and this will be included in the next website update.

Lambeth Marriages

Yesterday I received six marriage transcripts from Marion Harper Hopkins of the Guild of One-Name Studies.

They are as a result of the Guild of One-Name Studies (GOONS) Marriage Challenge. The Marriage Challenge is a Guild Project in which volunteers (Challengers) search for marriage entries in the deposited Parish Registers for a particular Registration District (RD) for the period 1837 to 1911.

These six marriages relate to the Lambeth Registration District, and include:

• James Pask and Charlotte Mary Chaffin - 24 April 1864
• Richard Wessell and Eliza Pask - 29 December 1870.
• Thomas Pask and Harriet Doe - 1 November 1877
• William Pash and Emma Dimmock - 26 August 1883 (originally indexed under the name of Pask.
• George Pask and Emily Adams - 9 March 1890
• John Bailey and Maud Isabella Paske - 12 August 1890

Copies of the marriage transcripts, and subsequently identified information will be included in the next website update.

Sincerest thanks to Marion for her superb efforts, especially as she was working to a very tight deadline as the London Metropolitan Archives is now closed to the public for major internal refurbishment until Monday 21 January 2008.

Pasks of Wickhambrook Suffolk

This information relates to the green-icon tree - descendants of John & Mirabel Pask née Sparrow, born c1680 lived in Wickhambrook, Suffolk.

We are very pleased to say that the draft of the book Pasks of Wickhambrook has been sent to the publishers Lulu. Hopefully the book will arrive in time for our forthcoming weekend in Suffolk. This is the second book in the series that we are publishing in preparation for the Pask Family Gathering on July 26, 2008.

The book is currently only a draft, and is not yet released. We need to proof it, and include all the photographs that have so kindly been provided by the researchers in this family. The released version will be available in early December - just in time to order it for Christmas presents!

There are 1000+ people mentioned, and it contains 47 descendancy charts, with the accompanying narratives. Once the photographs are in place, the book will probably be 300 pages, and cost approximately £8.90 (plus postage) in black and white. The book is double the size of the Pasks of Great Gonerby Lincolnshire.

During the compiling of this book we were amazed how many people with the same name (and not common names) married more than one Pask. These include ADAMS, BUCKLE, CURRY, FLACK, FULLER, GOLDSMITH, NEWMAN, ORRISS, PREWER, PRYKE, RAYNER, WILLINGHAM, to name a few.

The beauty of publishing to Lulu is that the update process is extremely easy, and as soon as additions or amendments are included, and the PDF is uploaded, the revised edition is available immediately to all new books ordered. So it is never too late to include that information, anecdote, or photograph.

We are going to have a breather for the next month. However, we plan to start drafting the Pasks of Monmouthshire over the Christmas period.

DNA Tests Completed

Both Stuart & John have completed their DNA tests, and returned the swabs to Family Tree DNA's office in Texas.

The genetic test kit consisted of a cheek scraper and collection tube. The test was a painless cheek scraping. The effect of using the scraper is about the same as brushing your cheek with a soft bristle toothbrush. Two backup scrapers & tubes were included to insure that they have good samples for their lab.

It will now take approximately seven weeks to test the DNA sample, analyze the specimens and compare the results to data in the existing genetic library. So we can expect the results just after Christmas. The results will be entered into Family Tree DNA's secure, private and confidential non-web-based genetic library. A comparison between the specific genetic markers and those of others in the database will then be performed and the results provided.

The Family Tree DNA's primary test attempts to determine if 2 people thought to be unrelated actually had a common ancestor. The test is for genealogy NOT for paternity, alimony or other legal purposes.

There are answers to many of the frequently asked questions available on the Family Tree DNA website. There is also a Genealogy & DNA Forum.

If you are interested in participating in the PASK DNA Project, just send us an e-mail. We are particularly interested in testing two PASK males from each of the family lines, detailed in the Charts webpage. By participating in this project you will enable us to link up many of these charts.

PASK DNA Project Now Set Up

The Pask DNA Project is now set up on the Family Tree DNA website. This will enable us to get the reduced project price of US$ 189 for the 37 marker Y DNA test.

Participating in this DNA Project is an opportunity for us to uncover information not provided in the paper records. We will also discover which family trees are related.

We encourage male PASKs to take the 37 marker Y DNA test. It will tell you about your direct male line, which would be your father, his father, and back in time. To achieve maximum benefits only two male PASKs from each family tree detailed on the Charts list is required.

We will be publishing the latest results of the DNA testing at the Pask Family Gathering in July 2008.

DNA Kit Arrived

Stuart's DNA kit arrived in the post this morning. He has to take three samples over a period of 9-12 hours. Unfortunately he had just had his lunch, so he has to wait at least one hour before starting the process.

Hope to send it back tomorrow.

DNA Project - Special Project Price

I received good news from Susan Meates, the Guild of One-Name Studies (GOONS) DNA project coordinator. I should have received the project price for the DNA tests - not $259 as originally believed, but $189. A substantial saving.

She is assisting us with setting up a project, hopefully today. Once that is done, the new price will become effective. Any keen DNA testers, should hold off for a few days. So watch this space!

If you have already purchased one - I understand that one person has. Then contact us, and we will arrange for a refund of the difference.

DNA Project Started

As part of the preparations for next July's family gathering, we have started a DNA project, with Family Tree DNA, the pioneer and the world's largest DNA company in the new field of genetic genealogy.

Two kits have so far been purchased for:

1. Stuart Charles Pask, representing the Pasks of Great Gonerby - Black-Icon Family Tree (Chart 1)


2. John Henry Pask from Aldershot, representing the Pasks of Fulbeck: Turquoise-Icon Family Tree (Chart 22)

We have known John since 1982, and it is about time we proved we are related. We are also very keen for others to test who represent the Pask families from Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Monmouthshire, and Essex. The DNA test will help us identify whether these lines are connected, even though we do not have the documental evidence to prove it.

The Paternal DNA, passed from father to son, tests the Y-chromosome, which is only found in males and is useful in verifying common ancestry. The DNA test will be the very extensive 37 marker paternal test. A perfect match of 37 markers means that the two individuals matching shared a common ancestor in recent times.

It will also provide us with more information, like deep ancestral origins, matches with other individuals that share the same results, our recent ethnic origins, and FTDNATiP - the Time Predictor to the Most Recent Common Ancestor between the test takers.

The Family Tree DNA test kit consists of three cheek scrapers and three collection tubes--designed for a single persons use.

If you are interested in joining this project do contact us, and we will explain the technicalities, costs, and outcome.

This is truly an exciting milestone in the Pask, Paske One-Name Study and our 27 years of research.

Descendants of James Pask from Wickhambrook Suffolk

This information relates to Chart 31, the descendants of James Pask, (1797-1865), who was born in Wickhambrook, Suffolk.

This information relates to the green-icon tree - descendants of John & Mirabel Pask née Sparrow, born c1680 lived in Wickhambrook, Suffolk.

James Pask was born in 1797 in Wickhambrook. After extensive analysis, it has been determined that all other Wickhambrook Pasks are related to John & Mirabel Pask née Sparrow. James is likely to be the son of Thomas Pask, who died in Wickhambrook in 1815, at the age of 62. However, currently no marriage or other references to Thomas has been found. This is purely assumptive, and of course requires additional research.

Chart 31 will be merged with Chart 2 [green-icon] in the next website update.

Website Update 21 October 2007

The website was updated today Sunday 21 October. This update is slightly different to previous. There are many changes, mainly in preparation for the next publication - Pasks of Wickhambrook Suffolk. This book will cover the descendants of John & Mirabel Pask née Sparrow. We hope to have the first draft ready for when we visit Suffolk during early November.

A full list of these recent changes to the narratives is available in the New or Changed Narratives section. There was a increase of 188 narratives, making a total of 6844 people.

Back from Vacation

Our regular bloggers will have noticed that there has been no blogs for the past three weeks. We have just come back from a 3-week cruise on the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2).

We went from Southampton to Quebec, Halifax, Bar Harbour, Boston, and New York. Unfortunately the weather was not kind and we had a very rough crossing in the Atlantic both ways. We also experienced severe fog in Boston, and New York. We had to miss Rhode Island because the fog made it unsuitable to tender. On the way back we had to miss St. Johns, Newfoundland because of high winds and rough seas. Strangely enough on the last two days we had seas as smooth as a millpond.

Nevertheless, we did not let the weather spoil our enjoyment, or relaxation. The ship, food, ambiance, and staff were as usual excellent. The ship is like going home and we are made so welcome. We also met again some "old" friends, and made some new. Special thanks to Trish and Alan Foley, who were on our table. We look forward to continuing our friendship. Trish shares a common interest - need you ask - family history. We spent many an hour discussing family history and sources now available.

Of course during the trip, the One-Name Study was not neglected. A website update is imminent. Our focus this trip was the descendants of John & Mirabel Pask née Sparrow. A substantial number of lines have been updated, in preparation for the next Pask publication. All the ground work /research has been completed. Now it is just a case of formatting and compiling the book. We hope to have the first draft ready for when we visit Suffolk during early November.

Website Update 19 September 2007

The website was updated today Wednesday 19 September. This update includes information as detailed in the previous blogs:

• Arthur William & Phoebe Giles née Pask
• Descendants of Philip & Mary Pask née Morgan
• Isaac & Mary Paske née Little
• Paskeville, Australia
• Kenneth Richard Pask of Ohio
• Descendants of John & Caroline Pask née Darby
• PASKEs of India
• Helen Paske aged 104
• James Morton Pask - Ashantee Medal for Sale
• Ellen Levy (alias Villiers)
• Stephen & Millie Cocksedge née Pask

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed. A full list of these recent changes to the narratives is available in the New or Changed Narratives section. This was a significant increase - an additional 186 narratives , making a total of 6656 people.

Stephen & Millie Cocksedge née Pask

This information relates to Chart 7, the descendants of Henry Paske, (1765 - 1845), who lived in Kedington, Suffolk.

Jane King of Peterborough contacted us by letter. She is the great-granddaughter of Millie Pask who married Stephen Cocksedge on 28 March 1886 in All Saints, West Ham, Essex.

Millie was born on 14 March 1867 in Kedington, and was the great-granddaughter of Henry & Frances Pask née Wallaker.

In the 1881 census Millie was the servant of Stephen Cocksedge. After the death of his first wife Mary Ann, Millie became his wife.

Jane plans to research the Kedington branch. Hopefully she will be able to find the missing link that shows a connection between Chart 7 and Chart 6 (Khaki-Icon) - the main progenitor Peter & Catherine Pask née Frost, who also lived in Kedington in the 1700s.

Jane is planning to attend the Pask Family Gathering on July 26 2008.

The information kindly provided by Jane has been included in the database, and will be available in the next website update.

Ellen Levy (alias Villiers)

This information relates to Chart 39, the descendants of Thomas Pask, (1766 - b1851), who lived in St. Pancras.

This morning we received a very interesting e-mail from William de Villiers, who lives in South Africa, about Ellen Levy (alias) Villiers. Coincidental, she was the mother of James Morton Pask - See the previous blog John Morton Pask - Ashantee Medal for Sale.

William saw a reference to Ellen Levy (alias Villiers) on our website, and it fired his imagination and plunged him into hours of work at his computer keyboard researching Ellen's father. He found:

Isaac LEVY (alias Isaac VILLIERS or John VILLIERS) was born in about 1788. He was married [date unknown] to Mary COLLIER (who was born in Hornsey, Middlesex in about 1789).

Isaac ran into financial difficulties in the 1820’s and was sued and committed for debt – being described in the legal documents as Isaac Levy “(commonly called Isaac Villiers, sued and committed as Isaac Villiers), late of Golden-Square, Middlesex, afterwards of Sackville-Place, Lambeth, Surrey (carrying on business in Partnership with William Court, as Tailors, under the firm of Villiers and Court), then of Glbson-Street, Waterloo-Road, Surrey, then of Isabella-Street, Waterloo-Road aforesaid, then of New-Street, Waterloo-Road aforesaid, Comedian, and carrying on business, on his separate account, as a Tailor”.

When the national census was taken in June 1841 he was described as “Isaac Villiers”, a tailor, living in Arlington Street in London with his wife, five children and two sempstresses.

When the census was taken again in April 1861 he was described as “John Villiers”, a 73 year old tailor, living at No. 25, Clarence Street, Islington St Mary in London with his wife and eldest daughter.

He died in 1863.

In addition, William has provided very detailed information - with sources. This information will be included in the next website update, that is imminent.

We were also very intrigued by the change of name. Now thanks to William, the mystery is solved.