xmas1985

This Newsletter was the third to be issued and it had no 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 early pieces of CUF(F)LEY information was distributed with the annual Christmas cards.

CUFLEY FAMILY HISTORY XMAS 1985 Issue No. 3

Suddenly 12 months have passed and it's time to take the easy way to let all the Cufleys and Cuffleys have the latest results of the family history research by writing another Newsletter.

Work has intruded into my research time, but with the help of my father (Ron Cufley); as leg man; and a prolific correspondence with Peter Cuffley of Melbourne, Australia, the Family History is increasing.

Peter; like myself; has been chasing the family name in records and other printed matter for about 20 years. We have exchanged copies of our notes; two postmen are now suffering from hernias; and generally talked about our families, homes and news events. The record card system has extended to approximately 6,000 Cuf(f)leys and a second reference index of associated family surnames is now approximately 500 reference cards.

Brian, Peter's brother has found a CUFLEY STREET in the town of Omeo, Victoria; named after Richard Cufley. He was a miner who lived in the town from approximately 1860 to his death in 1910, aged 75 years. At the same time, William Cuffley, was also working the claims but eventually returned to Melbourne to run Hotels (public houses) and a brewery with his bother Benjamin. William is Peter's Great Grandfather.

Richard was probably the son of William and Harriet Cufley, baptised at St. Andrew's, Enfield in 1835.

The Omeo Town records give a good picture of the life in a mining town. The Omeo Cricket Club in a St. Patrick's Day match between the Upper Creek and Lower Creek teams, records that the match was won by the Lower Creek side by an innings and 3 runs. Richard bowled taking 8 wickets, caught out 3 batsmen and was his team's highest scoring batsman getting 34 runs out of their total of 74.

William and his wife, Ann, were also featured in the local press as witnesses against Thomas Sheean, who unlawfully allowed card playing at the Squatters Arms Hotel. At the Christmas races it was probably William who was recorded as 'Mr. Cuffley' owner of "Little John" third in the Miners Purse - 25 sovereigns - over one mile and also owner of 'Old Tom' second in the Hacks Races for 10 sovereigns over 2 miles.

You will probably wonder if these Australians were convicts. To date, Peter has been unable to find any Cuf(f)leys among the convict records. Both Richard and William were immigrants.

The ties with the homeland are surprisingly strong. Ted Williams who's Grandmother was, Amelia Jane Cufley, was aware that his Great Grandfather, Alfred Chapman Cufley, lived at Enfield Cottage in Melbourne. Now that we have traced his family line back to the Enfield Cufleys, the significance becomes clear. Alfred Chapman Cufley was a boatman coastguard at Great Wakering, Essex, who emigrated in 1881 to Australia.

Peter has remarked in one of his letters "My theory that our extended family have contributed in great measure to the history of mankind by doing absolutely nothing of note is slowly being eroded". He's right, but fame that’s another thing. There was an, Alexander Don Cuffley, who died in 1865 who; either singularly or in partnership; was an Architect and therefore responsible for the design and construction of at least seven churches in the Greater Manchester area. In 1962, Cyril Frederick Hardy Cufley, wrote "Ocean Freights and Chartering" published by the Staples press. He was a fellow of the Institute of Shipbrokers and a regular contributor to the Guardian and various specialist shipping journals. 1847 saw, John Robert Cuffley, found the Commercial Travellers schools for orphan children. These snippets need more details, but at least they have left records which can now be unearthed to add 'flesh' to their names.

If you see any reference to our family name, I would love to receive a note of it. I have followed up two references this year. One was a mention on the radio, which lead to contact with Joseph Lynne Cuffley of Birmingham. The second was a photograph in the Shropshire Star with the caption indicating Mr. John Cuffley, who was kind enough to reply to my letter.

Each year I have ended these newsletters by quoting a verse from the 1827 poster by William Cuffley, the Beadle, presented to his worthy Masters and Mistresses. This year finds his seasonal greetings exhausted. So I have been casting around for something suitable. A Chinese proverb seemed appropriate for this research, "To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root". It lacks humour and seasonal meaning, so may I borrow a scene from Charles Dickens 'Christmas Carol in which Bob Cratchit proposed a toast. "A merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us"

Which all the family re-echoed.

"God bless us, every one!" said Tiny Tim the last of all.

Carole, David, Aaron, Sasha and Fabienne

CUF(F)LEY Newsletter 1985. Issue No. 3, Pages 2 of 2

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December 1985 original publication date. This version August 2002.