With the passage of time so much of interest is lost that this may be considered reason enough to write. I have, however, many reasons for compiling this history of my forebears, of which a genuine interest and fascination with the past is by no means the least. But perhaps the most important reason is to pass on what I have learnt to posterity in the hope that at some future time, someone will delve in more depth into the history of my family. If so, these pages may offer some help and perhaps even be of interest for those inclined to read them.
I have chosen to call the work “ The Bare Bones “ because this describes my poor efforts admirably. Each lifetime has it’s own unique fascination but because the scope of this work is so broad I have of necessity been forced to be very brief and selective. The work is divided into four sections, the first of which begins a few years before the Norman conquest of 1066. Subsequent chapters discuss the arrival in England of Robert de Hastings and then follow the changing fortunes of the Hastings family through the ensuing centuries. Mention is also made of other early ancestors namely the Bassets of Sapcote and the Faunt family who came from Ireland in the late 14th century.
Section two begins with the middle 18th century and later we become acquainted with more recent ancestors, here the work broadens to encompass, where possible, a total decent approach.
Section three deals with the history of my wife’s family and begins in the late 18th century. The final part of the book concerns itself with more recent events and leads finally to the present day.
At the end of the book can be found a name index, various appendices which include notes on Leicestershire villages, a comprehensive set of genealogical tables, and a glossary.
D.J.W. 1997
Note:
The printed version was compiled in two separate editions, the second edition being produced some five years after the first.
Acknowledgements (1st edition )
Over the twelve years or thereabouts that I have taken in researching this book I have of course received much help from the staff of the many county records offices that I have visited. Also I am indebted to the staff of the Libraries of Lincoln and Loughborough, Mr Tim Everson of Kingston local History centre and Mr A.E.Robinson of the Whitwick Historical Group. Special thanks must go to my son Tristan for proof reading the earlier chapters and my brother Peter whose love of history is such that I was able to impose on him the task of checking my genealogical tables. I also wish to thank the following people who have contributed information and without whose help my poor efforts would be much the poorer: Mr W.Lymath, the late Mrs G Stanbridge, Mrs G.H.Stanbridge, Ilene and Doreen Whittingham and my father, the late Mr F.W.Weston. My Mother, Mrs Elizabeth Weston, has been a great source of information and her knowledge of family events that happened prior to her birth has steered me in the right direction on many occasions and therefore saved much time. In particular I must express my gratitude to three fellow enthusiasts: Mr George Stanbridge for the information he has provided and for his help with some chapters in sections three and four; my sister Marie who has undertaken a great deal of field work and whose interest and support has been of great value to me; and my sister in law Mrs Margaret Purvis whose enthusiasm has paid dividends on more than one occasion. lastly a very special thank you to my daughter Emma for having the first copy of this book bound.
Acknowledgements (2nd edition )
In the five years that separate the two editions of “ The Bare Bones “ I have made increasing use of internet resources and this has enabled me to communicate with other researchers. I would like to name Mr Russell Carter of New Zealand and Mrs Christine Watchorn of Gloucester, for their help in putting flesh on some the bones so to speak. Also I am much indebted to Cathryn Bower of Rotherham for giving freely of her research notes regarding the Copley family of Rotherham.