Irish Counties and The Jones Surname

From Latin and Norman French, English was first written in the legal records of Ireland in the city of Waterford, 1365.  [Kilkenney 1434, Dublin 1450's, and Galway 1485 ]  From this English language, the Jones surname appears.

The figure below shows the counties in Ireland that had recorded a Jones family with a coat of arms before 1840.  These arms were recorded in Burke, 1884 edition,  pp.548 - 549.

Dublin had eight families, with Meath and Kildare having two Jones families.  Wrexford, Sligo, Leithrim, and Londonderry had one each.  The earliest JONES is "Sir Roger Jones, knighted at Drogheds, 24 March 1606".  These Irish counties would be the first to begin the JONES surname.

This research is from my own documents [RN # 23, RN # 88].  There is much to be learned regarding the Irish Jones families.  Any Irish JONES families out there?  Please post...:-).

For an outline of this research see tgjresearchnotebooks.blogspot.com. 

Stepping Stones

Alexander Spotswood began his life as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in Williamsburg 1710.  Thus  a key period in colonial history was initiated,  with the western expansion of its territories.  Spotswood certainly had his own particular interests and motives for this expansion, and his connection with the JONES surname is deeply involved.  By April, 1717, he had granted a fair number of patents to those with the JONES surname.   The following is a listing of these grants made during Spotswood's early tenure.   They are listed by name, county, number of acres, date,  and page number to the reference from which they were abstracted: "English Duplicates of Lost Virginia Records", by Louis des Cognets, Jr., 1958.

Evan Jones          Princess Anne     1190 acres      4-28-1711    (p.91)
Frederick Jones   James City            100    "          4-28-1711    (p.92)
Orlando Jones     King William          90    "          5-02-1713    (p.94)
Robert Jones       Essex                     274   "           5-11-1713    (p.94)
Thomas Jones     King William       2000   "          8-12-1713     (p.94)
Robert Jones       Surry                      120   "         11-13-1713     (p.95)
Charles Jones      Isle of Wight          185   "         11-13-1713    (p.95)
John Jones          Surry                      330    "         11-13-1713    (p.96)
Henry Jones        Surry                     250    "         11-13-1713     (p.96)
Charles Jones      Isle of Wight         230    "          6-16-1714     (p.99)
Edward Jones      Isle of Wight         215   "           6-16-1714     (p.99)
John Jones           Surry                     170   "           6-14-1714     (p.100)
John Jones           Princess Anne        53    "           6-14-1714     (p.100)
William Jones     Surry                      280   "          6-14-1714      (p.100)
Walter Jones        Princess Anne       159   "         12-16-1714     (p.101)
James Jones         Isle of Wight         400   "         12-23-1714     (p.102)
Thomas Jones     Surry                      370   "          3-23-1715      (p.104)
John Jones           Henrico                 133   "          3-23-1715      (p.106)
John Jones           Henrico                   53   "         10-31-1716     (p.107)
Thomas Jones      Prince George       247  "           7-15-1717      (p.109)
William Jones      Middlesex               41  "           1-22-1717      (p.110)

If my math is correct, this totals 6,890 acres.   It would be interesting to compare this number to other surnames, but that is still to be done.  My own JONES family is connected, becoming stepping stones to my family tree. 

This information is taken from: The Jones Genealogist, Vol. XI, No.2, July/August, 1999.

Canadian Bacon

The JONES surname certainly gets around.  Ever since that phrase "Keeping up with the Joneses" has occurred, and widely used, there seems to be a general consensus that this surname has become part of our culture. [That is at least the Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Welsh, English, and American cultures.]  The surname appears on many items including soda, cloths...etc., etc.,...even Universities.

It is now going on eleven years that my wife and I have cooked hundreds of breakfasts at our Bed and Breakfast.  We have a set number of recipes (4) that are repeated, and help the folks who stay more than 4 nights in a row.  One of these recipes calls for the use of Canadian Bacon.  I had to smile when I pulled from the refrigerator the following.

Right at home it is...Canadian Bacon from the JONES farm...being served at a JONES surname Bed and Breakfast...by "chiefs" JONES & JONES.  Considering this combination of factors, it will be a little hard for anyone else to keep up.

A Big Picture

Putting the family tree together has its challenges, especially with a surname like JONES.  What methods can be used?  What charts are needed?  How do I get a "big picture"?

The following figure is from one of my research notebooks (RN #145).  It shows a way to visualize a family tree that can also be used to help check if the generations fit.

A blank sheet of  8.5 x 11 inch graph paper is used.   A chronology is equally marked along the right hand side using 50 year sequence.   A number/coding system is used for each generation, with each individual in the family tree given a distinct code.  A coloring system is then used to outline each beginning branch of the tree, so that a flow chart like to one above is produced on a single page.  The generations should then fit within the chronology outlined on the right hand side. 

Graph paper, pencil, ruler, and color markers are the basic ingredients.  Give it a try to get that big picture.

East of England

The distribution of the JONES surname is shown in the figure below.  It represents the occurrence of the JONES surname in the legal cases of England before 1700.   The number of cases found recorded in the Public Record Office for 1) Index of Ancient Petitions (generally before Edward III (1327-1377), 2) Calendar of Close Rolls (AD 1381-1495), 3) List of Early Chancery Proceedings, Vol IV, for dates 1500-1515, 4) Lists of Early Chancery Proceedings Vol.V - Vol.X, 1515-1558, 5) Index of Chancery Proceedings (Series II) Vol. I 1558-1579 and for years 1579 - 1600 (given as Vol. XXIV), 6) Proceeding on the Court of Requests, Vol 4, James I (1603-1625), 7) Index of Chancery Proceedings (Series II), Vol. III, AD 1621-1660, and 8) Public Record Office, London: Chancery Proceedings, Bridge's Division, 1613-1714, Vol. IV, I-Q are included.

The counties colored green represent the English counties that did not have a legal case involving one with the JONES surname.  Durham, Derby, Nottingham, and Isle of Wight all failed to record a legal case.  Either the JONES families were perfect angels or some other cause was the reason for the lack of JONES surnames. [I doubt the perfect angel approach.]

The counties colored blue represent those English counties which had less than three (3) cases during the period of study. They certainly cluster to the east and north of England. [Except for Cornwall to the southwest.]  A more likely explanation is based on the following figure.

The Viking settlements that came to occupy most of the north and east of England (875-950 AD) are roughly shown above.   Amazing that they follow the same distribution that has no JONES surname. This would support the facts that the Danes were not Christian (at first), and would not have the name "John" in a lot of their family trees.   The also became the "law of the land" for many generations leaving those Welsh, who were to become English many years yet to come, little room to expand into the north and east of England.

[Not sure why Cornwall shows a lack of those with a JONES surname.  Anyone have any theories why?  Please post any suggestions or ideas. ]

The Jones Surname Museum

A museum dedicated to a single surname...the surname JONES.  Who would have guessed that some 12 years ago an idea floating around in ones head would become the only one in the world.  As far as I have been able to determine, it is the only museum that gives the history, origin, and details about a single surname,  the JONES surname. [Please let me know if anyone has information otherwise.]

The picture below shows one segment of the museum as it tells the story of the JONES surname beginning with Roman Britain 40 BC.  Can you believe it?  Beginning with the first writers  who recorded facts about the tribal groups which occupied the land that was to become the home of my JONES DNA, the story is told.   The story continues through 12 panels that give a chronology as follows:

  Roman Britain 40 BC - 400 AD
  The "Britons" 400 AD - 600 AD
  Early Wales 600 AD - 800 AD
  Wales of the Princes 800 AD - 1000 AD
  Age of Conquest 1000 AD - 1100 AD
  Age of the Marches 1100 AD - 1200 AD
  Age of Annexation 1200 AD - 1300 AD
  Age of Towns, Trade, Taxes, and Tragedy 1300 AD - 1400 AD
  The Final Rebellion 1400 AD - 1500 AD
  Act of Union 1500 AD - 1600 AD
  The final Twist
  House of Tudor Trevor 850 AD to present
 
The museum is located at The Golden Lion Bed & Breakfast, Danville, KY.  It is open to the public most afternoons if arrangements are made by phone 859-583-1895.  Come and walk through the history of the JONES surname. 

Jones Surname Tree Climbing

Researching the JONES surname can involve climbing out many different branches.  There may be all sorts of obstacles, difficulties, and many brick walls.  Many genealogist give up the hunt after a few generations that lead to many John Jones(es).  My own tree climbing has involved a great deal of topics and subjects that have taught me much about my own JONES family and their travels along this tree of life.  The figure below shows my "Genealogy Tree House" as I have come to imagine it.  You are welcome to share the branches and sit in the shade. 

The major topics that can used to help in your own JONES tree climbing are shown among the branches.  Each topic shown can be taken to a "blogspot" that gives additional helps and information regarding the JONES surname.  From "Welsh Genealogy" to "DNA" are discussed in the various blog sites.  How to get around brick walls can be found among the branches.  You can find these blog sites by typing in "The Jones Genealogist" (including quotation marks) on your web search browser.  I hope you can find them helpful in your own JONES tree climbing.