William Gifford's origins
I have noticed that, with the spread of the Internet and the International Genealogical Index, bogus (or dubious at best) information tends to get copied and repeated as if it were fact.
I've been interested in genealogy for about 35 years, and, with the Giffords, had to learn about bogus genealogies from the very beginning.My uncle had an old sheet, probably in my great-grandfather's hand from about 1860, but probably written by a "professional genealogist," which stated that
one Walter Gifford, son of Sir Ambrose Gifford, came to Massachusetts in 1630.This , plus the completely fictional English line, was published in a county history in 1912.
one Walter Gifford, son of Sir Ambrose Gifford, came to Massachusetts in 1630.This , plus the completely fictional English line, was published in a county history in 1912.
Now I see on a webpage mention of a "William Ambrose Gifford" who came to New England!Middle names weren't even in use by the English at that time.
Now I see on a webpage mention of a "William Ambrose Gifford" who came to New England!Middle names weren't even in use by the English at that time.Further, I see that William Gifford, the immigrant ancestor of many Giffords, is given a wife named Patience Russell.What is the source?Apparently a 1930s LDS submission.The IGI includes all sorts of undocumented information such as this.But please note----there is no evidence for such a person!
Further, I see that William Gifford, the immigrant ancestor of many Giffords, is given a wife named Patience Russell.What is the source?Apparently a 1930s LDS submission.The IGI includes all sorts of undocumented information such as this.But please note----there is no evidence for such a person!Other uncritical sources identify William as the son of Philip Gifford, of London.Well, in this case, Philip did have a son William of about the right age.But none of the names of William's children are close to Philip.Note also that Philip was undoubtedly the father of John Gifford, master of the iron works at Saugus (Lynn), MA, but there is nothing in New England to tie John and William together, as would be expected if they were brothers.
Other uncritical sources identify William as the son of Philip Gifford, of London.Well, in this case, Philip did have a son William of about the right age.But none of the names of William's children are close to Philip.Note also that Philip was undoubtedly the father of John Gifford, master of the iron works at Saugus (Lynn), MA, but there is nothing in New England to tie John and William together, as would be expected if they were brothers.William Gifford *was* a tailor.I have had research done in the Merchant Taylors' Company records.It does seem likely that the William Gifford who was the son of "Anthi" (Anthony) Gifford, of Dublin, gent., was probably the one who married Elizabeth Grant in 1636 at St. Martin in the Fields.However, there are no baptismal records of any children in the London area, as we would expect if this person were the same as the colonist.
William Gifford *was* a tailor.I have had research done in the Merchant Taylors' Company records.It does seem likely that the William Gifford who was the son of "Anthi" (Anthony) Gifford, of Dublin, gent., was probably the one who married Elizabeth Grant in 1636 at St. Martin in the Fields.However, there are no baptismal records of any children in the London area, as we would expect if this person were the same as the colonist.Ananias Gifford (b. c.1579), merchant tailor, married Hester Grigg in 1605, and married a second time at St. Martin in the Fields in 1621.Ananias was the son of Henry Gifford, yeoman, of Sevenoaks, Kent, but I haven't investigated this family further.The name "Ananias" looks promising, but it also appears that he had no children.
Ananias Gifford (b. c.1579), merchant tailor, married Hester Grigg in 1605, and married a second time at St. Martin in the Fields in 1621.Ananias was the son of Henry Gifford, yeoman, of Sevenoaks, Kent, but I haven't investigated this family further.The name "Ananias" looks promising, but it also appears that he had no children.So, in short, I would urge everybody interested in this family to delete "Patience Russell," Elizabeth Grant, Ananias Gifford, Sir Anthony Gifford, and Philip Gifford, if they are looking for accuracy.If anyone can provide evidence to the contrary, of course, I would be interested in seeing it.
So, in short, I would urge everybody interested in this family to delete "Patience Russell," Elizabeth Grant, Ananias Gifford, Sir Anthony Gifford, and Philip Gifford, if they are looking for accuracy.If anyone can provide evidence to the contrary, of course, I would be interested in seeing it.In my opinion, William Gifford did not come from London.I've reconstructed Gifford families in London for that period, looked atguild records and other records, and haven't found anything promising.More likely he was apprenticed to a tailor in another place in England.
In my opinion, William Gifford did not come from London.I've reconstructed Gifford families in London for that period, looked atguild records and other records, and haven't found anything promising.More likely he was apprenticed to a tailor in another place in England.Paul GiffordMore Replies:
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Re: William Gifford's origins
Karan Gifford Armstrong 3/13/12
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Re: William Gifford's origins
Karan Gifford Armstrong 3/13/12
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Re: William Gifford's origins
William Alexander Roper 1/18/04
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Re: William Gifford's origins
Margery Pasko 6/02/04
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Re: William Gifford's origins
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Re: William Gifford's origins
5/03/00
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Re: William Gifford's origins
11/30/98
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Re: William Gifford's origins
12/02/98
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Re: William Gifford's origins
2/20/99
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Re: William Gifford's origins
Richard Gifford 3/04/99
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Re: William Gifford's origins
7/24/99
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Re: William Gifford's origins
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Re: William Gifford's origins
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Re: William Gifford's origins
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Re: William Gifford's origins
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Re: William Gifford's origins
10/14/98
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Re: William Gifford's origins
10/06/98