xmas1984

This Newsletter was the second to be issued and it had neither pictures nor other embellishments. There are one or two minor presentation adjustments to bring it into line with latter editions but the basic text remains the same.

It shows how the first pieces of CUF(F)LEY information were distributed with the annual Christmas cards.

CUFLEY FAMILY HISTORY CHRISTMAS 1984 Issue No.2

1984 has been a busy year for the Family History research. I have again taken the easy way out of letting all the Cufleys know of the latest results by writing another Newsletter.

The exchange of about 28 detailed letters with various people has given me a better insight into the family, and shown up some interesting relationships.

Eric Cufley of Portsmouth is the proud owner of a 'Tintype' photograph of an old gentleman, who we think is John Cufley born 1817, married Sarah Ann Taylor in 1840 and died 1878. He was a Sawyer, Rat Catcher, Game keeper and Labourer during his working life (see sheet 4). This John is my Great x 2 Grandfather and Eric's Great Grandfather.

The second interesting point of these two family trees is the inter-marriage of the Cufley and Picton families. Henry Benjamin Cufley, 1845 - 1901, married Catherine Jane Picton in 1874 (see sheet 3), and Henry's brother Alfred Charles 1857 - 1930, married Mary Ann Picton in 1889 (sheet 803).

Catherine and Mary were the daughters of James Picton a shipwright from Pembroke Dock.

This is not the only instance of intermarriage between families. Ann Cufley b1815, married John Street in 1839 (sheet 5) and William Cufley b1803, married Susanne Street in 1831 (sheet 304). Both families were residents of Enfield.

The question of how many members of any family exist in the United Kingdom, is always being discussed among family Historians.

I had a letter published in the "Guild of One Name Studies" journal on this subject. For the 30 Cufleys and 52 Cuffleys in the U. K. telephone directories, I calculate that there are 325 Cuf(f)leys alive today, of which 119 are Cufley. I have located about 50 Cufleys and would expect another 35 from the remaining subscribers. I am, therefore, approximately 34 people short of that total. I wonder where they are?

The journal of the 'North Middlesex Family History Society' has also published an article of mine on the ‘rate books of Enfield for 1815’. There are three Cufley families recorded; one at Chase Green near the smithy, one at the west side of the market place and the third at the north side of 'The Town'

This journal is also to publish an article in the spring on the Cufley Rat Catchers. I mentioned these Cufley's in last years Newsletter. Researches this year revealed that the Rat Catchers of Enfield referred to by Henry Mayhew were probably 4 Cufley families and William Collins. He coincidentally lived next door to the John Cufley mentioned above. James Robert Andrew Cufley later; in 1866; married Emily Collins; another example of working and/or neighbouring families intermarrying.

Membership of The Guild of One Name Studies has meant that I had to organize my notes into an easily referenced system. Each Cuf(f)ley discovered during my researches is now noted on 8" x 5" reference cards, of which there are, at present, nearly 2,000. While many cards have only one reference, it is surprising how often cards can be merged as information, is cross referenced. So if you discover any references to Cuf(f)leys, I would like to hear of them. The most seemingly insignificant data can lead to a new line of information. Even modern newspaper references; birth, death and marriage; help to get family groups into perspective.

Reading the above sounds a bit immodest, and the previous paragraph a little like a page from the diary of a 'Nosey Parker' Its really a fascination for the life and times of our forbearers. It does not cease to surprise me that they survived the hardships of their times, and that we can find out about them from the records that have survived.

The Greater London Record Office holds the Court Rolls for the Manor of Durant and Garton in Enfield (Middlesex) 1689 - 1905. The records have various references to the family. The two earliest entries; in Latin; are for Edmund and John Cufley. The later entries are in English and easier to read; once you've got use to the penmanship of the clerks. These records deal with the transfer of tenancy from one generation to the next. I am still trying to unravel the various Cufleys and will then have to check on their locations. They vary from Petersham, Surrey (?) through Barry Street, Clerkenwell to Ponders End.

Last year I closed by quoting a verse from William Cuffley the Beadle of Enfield's Poster of 1827. He presented it to all his worthy Masters and Mistresses; so may I again quote him.

On New Year's Day

Time has once more his circling motion run,

And the New Year, I hope, with joys begun -

A year of trouble and distress the last;

Lets trust in God, that now the worst is past,

And offer up our prayers to Heaven above,

Implore his pardon and his pity move;

Which if we again, we have no cause to fear,

But he will bless us with a Happy Year.

Carole, David, Aaron, Sasha and Fabienne

CUF(F)LEY Newsletter 1984. Issue No. 2, Pages 2 of 2

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December 1984 original publication date. This version August 2002.