news 2004

2004
December 2004
31 Dec 2004	Christine Fletcher (from the UK) emailed to say;- "Dear John, Just to say Happy New Year and thank you for the lovely card. Thanks for all you have done for the name Powditch."
31 Dec 2004	Esme Rubra from Surrey (UK) emailed to say;- "Dear John and Angie, I'm sending a quick thank you for putting me on the internet! At least I think it was you! When Cousin Mike was doing a quick surf when he was here installing my new computer for me, he tried my name on Google (somewhat to my surprise) and (even more to my surprise!) he found a reference - and I think it was in connection with something you'd input re the Powditches. Anyway, a few minutes ago I was really glad you had as I had a phone call from one of our Michelle's friends who'd been trying frantically to get in touch - and eventually found my phone number on the net."
31 Dec 2004	Pamela Wainman (from the UK) emailed to say;- "Hello John, I have just found your site, via google, and was excited to see Mary CHIPPERFIELD nee POWDITCH there. This was the name of an aunt who was married to my mother's brother; in fact two sisters, Mary & Sarah POWDITCH married two brothers - James & Alfred CHIPPERFIELD, and lived in East London. From this family came my twin cousins, Ethel Chipperfield, and James Chipperfield. I do hope there is a connection there!"
16 Dec 2004	Received the following email relating to the Emneth area of Norfolk "Hello John. I've lived in the U.K. for eleven years. My husband and I came here as workers and both have since retired. We've lived in Emneth for a little over a year now and I have a number of family surnames all around - just haven't proven connection yet. I feel very much at home here, and while I've always had an affinity for England, this is much stronger. I lived in Frankfurt, Germany for three years and didn't discover until I left that I had relatives who lived there in the 1600s. That's the way things usually go for me. I'll be really drawn to a place and then much later find out why - long after I've left the area. I recently learned of a possible Bloom connection. My known relatives were Dutch settlers in New York from Amsterdam and there is a Bloom/Clow marriage in the same general area. The Bloom family from Wells-next-Sea, Norfolk may be of that same family. The Norfolk Blooms were supposedly Danish and the New York Blooms were alleged to be Swedish. It's possible that the geography got jumbled somewhat in the stories. I met a Bloom descendant here and he was very familiar - close enough in personality to have been my twin and very similar in ways to my Dad and older brother. Too close not to have some genetics involved. I was going to do a write-up of the old information that I've found about Emneth and surrounding villiages. It's a hodge-podge primarily of what I've turned up about the olden days but I'd include other tidbits as well such as the Vicar here was the one who wrote "Thomas the Tank Engine". There was a stained window of Thomas installed in the church this past Spring around the time of the flower festival. I'll get around to it one day soon and try to remember to send you a copy. Did you discover any Clough/Clows, Swain, Metcalf(e), or Cheney associates of your Powditches? I've found a few places where Clows lived or worked in Elm and Outwell in the mid - late 1800s. My theory is that the Dutch or Scottish POWs who worked on the canals were possibly my relatives. Canals and Cloughs, etc seem to show up in the same places. How long ago did your folks live in Emneth? Do you have any old pictures of the place from that time? I keep meaning to go to the Wisbech Museum and do some specific research on the area. So far I've only picked up general information on books already written about the area. Please keep me in mind if you need local help later. I'm fairly useless at reading microfishe or pouring over old documents but I love doing field trips and making pictures or doing short-term projects. It was nice hearing from you. Rebecca Clough Harpole from now on Becky" Click here to see my reply to Becky
14 Dec 2004	Maksym Musyt, first child and son of Viktor and Melissa Musyt (nee Horpinitch) born in Melbourne, Australia.
14 Dec 2004	'NEW' Powditch website has been uploaded, and is easier to use!
8 Dec 2004	I sent an email to Rebecca (Becci) Harpole (UK):- I do hope that you'll forgive me for not having replied to your most generous offer re a write up of Emneth, but due to several reasons beyond my or any control (including having several problems with both my computer - going exceedingly slow - and my printer (stopping in the middle of big runs) I've been trying since to get back to some sort of 'normality'! First of all I must really thank you for emailing me and saying that you wouldn't mind doing a write-up. Unfortunately at about the same time as you were sitting down to email me, I was sitting down editing my website to delete a lot of pages - including the section (I'm sorry to say) about Emneth. Whilst I would have really loved to have had a write-up from you, the main reason I had to remove the page from my site, was that the page (along with several others relating to both Norfolk and Cambridgeshire) wasn't of much use to readers, as more had been omitted than I'd planned. Basically, I had included lots of Villages where members of the Powditch family had lived, worshipped, worked etc, from the early 1200s onwards. My intention had been to enter lots of information relating to each Village, its history, church, people, Parish Registers, and other snippets of information etc, but after uploading the pages, I didn't seem to have any time available to amend them (I was amending and adding other pages however). In between everything else, we held a very big family Gathering in Norfolk (in September) and everything re the Villages was put on the back-burner. I was most conscious however that any visitors to the Villages section of my site would be most disappointed with the lack of information, and as some 20 Villages fell into the same position as Emneth, I had no choice but to remove the pages (including Emneth) from the rest of the site. Whilst I do aplogise for the above (and for my delay in letting you know), I would be very interested to know what you had proposed writing about the Village etc, and also how you came to be living in that part of the world. Apologies once again, but hoping to hear from you sometime.
8 Dec 2004	Julie Perry (from the UK) emailed with the following information re her forbears;- "Hi, I really love your site. You mention me in your newsletter but I can't remember which message board I place my Powditch enquiry on so here I am direct. Mary Stephens was my Gt, Gt Grandfathers sister. She was born c1844 in East Looe, Cornwell and was the eldest child of William Stephens and Caroline Landry. (11 children in all). I have read your chapter on Wells and found it fascinating. Wells Joseph, the son, probably got the name Joseph from Mary's Grandfather, Joseph Welch. She also had an uncle called Joseph. She had a sister called Minnie born c1866 in Poplar but no Gertrude, so can't explain that one. I have more info on Mary's side of the family and their connection with Lighthouses and Guernsey. Would you be interested?"
5 Dec 2004	Des Hamill (from the UK) emailed to say;- "I have just looked over your site and quite frankly I am amazed at your level of information. Where on earth did you get it all from?"
December	LATEST (19th) Monthly Powditch e-Newsletter sent out (Click here to read its contents)
November 2004
28 November 2004	Received an email from Maureen Johnston in New Zealand;- "I have just been looking at the photos and commentry about the Powditch Gathering weekend. I must say you did an excellent job with this. It was an occassion I will never forget and I can't thank you enough for all the time and effort you put into making everything work so smoothly and for Simon & Lyn Harcourt-Webster were so kind to me and took me all over the place and Simon and I enjoyed talking over the events of the weekend. Simon also showed me things he had gathered over the years during his attempts to find out more about the Powditches. He of course also had the same story from his aunt that my aunt and mother have said (i.e. the Powditches were originally from Poland). Funnily enough Alan Powditch also had heard that the Powditches were from Poland - in his case he had heard a story about a Polish princess whereas both Simon and I had heard the Powditches were Polish aristocracy! However I know you have discounted this as a family 'story' but wonder how on earth it originated. Once again thank you for everything. I am so glad that I came. Maureen" Just as a matter of interest, has anyone else heard of a family story about the Powditch's having been Polish? - and if so, what information or details do you have? I'd be most interested to hear, so please email me at
26 November 2004	Received an email from Helen Manton who lives in the UK, and who asked;- "Should you know of anyone interested in Sarah POWDITCH, born about 1809 in Wells-next-the-Sea, and who would be interested in the ancestors of her husband, John ALLEN, mariner, born 1798 at Wells, and who married Sarah at All Saints South Lynn in 1833, I would be happy to contact them."
22 November 2004	Maureen Jones (from the UK) emailed to ask;- "I have just seen about the Powditch family on the internet and wondered if it is the same as my Great Grandmother Christiana Powditch born 1857 married Henry George December 1878 in Great Yarmouth "
21 November 2004	Patricia and Peter Powditch (from Adelaide, Australia), emailed to say;- "I have been browsing your website, in particular the wonderful Morston Powditch gathering. It was the most amazing 3 days! Peter and I extend our sincere thanks and gratitude for your tireless, enthusiastic, and monetary contribution to ensure the event was such a success.We greatfully acknowledge the time consuming help and organizing which was so willingly given by The Morston townfolk and 'Friends of Morston Church' . May I please express our special thanks to Joc & Sara Wingfield, Pam & John Peake, Diana Scott, Bobby Smith, Ken Bartlett, to name a few. This was an occasion which can never be repeated and we were so fortunate to have participated. Thankyou John and Angela. "
15 November 2004	Chris Worpole (from the UK) wrote the following really fascinating email to me re her Powditch ancestry;- "I have only been researching my family tree for 3 weeks and today found your website. So far I have only read Chapter 10 of your book Robert - The Poplar. I believe you wrote this about 15 years ago, so I don't know if the information I can give you will be helpful. My mother - Margaret Linda Alice Powditch was born at 29 Rounton Road, Bromley, Poplar. Her father was Sydney John Powditch, born at 20 Oban Street, Bromley on 31st August 1888. His father (my great grandfather) was Robert John Metcalf Powditch, born at 6 Bright Street, Bromley on 5th July 1852. (Incidentally, the middle name John does not appear on the birth certificate, but is included in his family Bible and his marriage and death certificates.) His father was Robert Powditch and his mother was Jane Shawl. Included in the family Bible are the names of William James Metcalf Powditch (b. 25th August 1877), Ada Jane Powditch (born 5th November 1878), George Robert Powditch (born 22nd May 1879), Milly Kate Powditch (born 5th August 1880), Percy Powditch (17th July 1883) and my grandfather Sydney John Powditch (born 31st January 1888). Also recorded are my mother and her sister Ivy Amy Stella Powditch who is still alive I have details of my grandparents' births, wedding and deaths. I also have details of Robert John Metcalf's birth, marriage and death. Last Friday I made the connection, through the 1881 Census, between Robert John Metcalf and Robert and Jane Powditch born in Wells, Norfolk. Hope this has been useful."
October 2004
30 October 2004	Gareth Ledua from the UK emailed me to say;- "my name is Gareth joji valati Ledua, son of Carol Ledua nee Powditch, whose parents are George Albert Powditch and Doreen Powditch nee Burton. I have found your site quite interesting, but it has taken some navigation to get the hang of things. Now i am used to it i shall spend more time tracing back family history. I have noticed that my mother's, therefore my details, are not included, i wondered how i might go about including our little branch on your site. I would be most grateful if you could email me with the relevant info on being included. i understand that the recent marston [sic: Morston] family reunion was a great success. I know my grandparents enjoyed themselves. I look forward to hearing from you."
13 October 2004	Angela Harris emailed to say;- "I loved your website & wonder whether you have a record of Mary Ann Powditch who was born around 1806 in Wells according to the 1881 census and was living in King's Lynn. She was also alive in the 1891 census. I am looking for her marriage to John Hall. Their first child was born in 1834, so it is likely it was before then. He was a builder and borough surveyor."
6 October 2004	Robert Bulling (from the UK) emailed, saying;- "I see that my namesakes (17th & 18th centuries) appear in this research. How did that happen?"
2 October 2004	Anne Willoughby from Australia emailed to say;- "Many many thanks for your wonderful site and your research, what an inspiration! I have just spent several hours reading through much of the site and enjoying finding out where the various Powditchs fitted in. Because it is such an unusual name one tends not to forget it when found. However my greatest delight was to find your work on the descendants of Thomas Powditch and Grace Kitteridge in Northumberland, my ancestors. I had looked up quite a bit about this couple but you had more detailed information which was wonderful - and the alternative spelling of Poundage. I am interested in tracing my maternal descent as far as possible and at this stage it ends with Margaret Bell who married Thomas Powditch in 1750. Your having seen the Durham marriage bonds and giving the details was a great help in confirming what I had suspected. Margaret Poundage and John Walker did have more children than Susanna. I think I once found them in an index to Christ Church Tynemouth Baptisms. Margaretta bp 1880 (married Miles Jordeson 1803), Thomas bp 1781, Maria bp 1782 (married William Tootell Mayson 1804), John bp 1784, John bp 1785, Alice bp 1787 (married John Mellersh 1806), and Isabella Grace bp 1793 (married Robert Brown I think 1816). In John Walker's will there is no mention of sons but all daughters are named though Margaretta seems to have died by then. Isabella Grace Walker was my gr gr gr grandmother and her names are still being passed on. I know the Grace is coming from the Mouse family via the Kitteridge family but still have not worked out where the Isabella originated. I find following female christian names quite fascinating, sometimes they can be traced for several hundred years. Anyway thank you so much again, I have had a very productive evening and a wonderful time."
October	LATEST (17/18th) Monthly Powditch e-Newsletter sent out (Click here to read its contents)
September 2004
23 September 2004	Returned from the Gathering to receive the sad news that Raymond Urban Powditch, who would have been aged 90 years old on 24 September 2004, had died 8 days earlier, on the 15th, and that his funeral was to take place on the 24th. Raymond was a wonderful person; someone that I was privileged to meet many years ago at his home, together with his wife, Peggy. At the time I also met his late brother, Rex, and his wife - Ursula - as well as Ray's sister, Dorothy, who still lives in the USA. Our thought and prayers are with Ray's family on their sad loss. (For the history of Ray and his ancestors, have a look at Chapter 12 of "Peerless Powditch's; Vol.3: Norfolk Vacated" (1989)
18 September 2004	Received an email from Harold Edwards (of Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk), who wrote;- "Hearing about the Powditch family re-union at Morston made me think of Geoffrey Powditch. He is of my generation and was in a lower class at Wells Primary School in the 1940's. Also we were in the same Cub group. The last I heard of him was that he had "lost" himself in Australia. I have also seen the Powditch name coming up with the credits of an Australian TV programme. In your research have you tracked him down? I am interested. Also he had a younger brother". I have replied to Harold, saying that I am also trying to find Geoffrey! If anyone therefore knows where Geoffrey Powditch is in Australia, or has a contact telephone number etc for him, I'd be thrilled to hear more.
17 - 19 September	FIRST-EVER POWDITCH GATHERING took place at Morston, Norfolk. Click here to read about the Gathering and to see photographs of the event.
9 September 2004	Peter Youngman (who lives in Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk) kindly emailed a photo to me of a Powditch (first name not known to him). To see the photo, please click on the following link;- Powditch, far left wearing bowler type hat, first name not known.
August 2004
22 Aug 2004	Had an email from Reg and Sandra Powditch's son and daughter-in-law in Australia, re the September Powditch Gathering in Norfolk. "Hi I'm sending this e-mail on behalf of my father & mother (Reg & Sandra). Unfortunately with dad not being able to fly (under the doctor's orders) we won't be able to attend. We would definitely love to see photos of the reunion if you were intending to send soft copies for all the people that couldn't attend. Thanking you in advance. Darren & Luba Powditch"
20 August 2004	Kathleen Noble from Tasmania emailed me with details of her interest in "Hello, and greetings from Tasmania. I was very interested to be referred to your website which contains the letter about your Powditch family in Chile. Unfortunatley I can't help you with the remaining pages for your letter - I do hope they turn up somewhere for you. However, I was interested in the account of the Mexican and South American Mining Company and the new mine managers that came out from England. I am wondering, if you have done any further research about this and would have any further information that might help me. My ancestor, Philp Edward BARNES went out to Chile in late 1855 to manage the affairs of the Mexican and South American Company. He applied to be the British Vice-Consul at Herradura, but his application was rejected. I have correspondence from the PRO from the British Consul, and it mentions Mr Alison as being the Acting Consul (1858) while the British Consul at Coquimbo, Mr David Ross, was on leave of absence. It appears that Mr Barnes was not liked by Mr Alison. I assume that this Mr Alison is the same one that is referred to in your memoirs. I have checked in the correspondence, but there is no mention of the name Powditch. Anyway I was just wondering if you have any record of my Philip Edward BARNES at all anywhere in your research. Or do you have any knowledge of where archive material might be in Chile - I am also looking for Barnes marriage, will and death certificate in Chile. Many thanks"
August	(15/16th) Monthly Powditch e-Newsletter sent out (Click here to read its contents)
6 August 2004	Wolfgang Griem, Geologist at the University of Copiapo (Chile), emailed me to say;- "hi, I am Wolfgang Griem, geologist - teaching in the University of Copiapo (Chile) (Universidad de Atacama) geology for mining engineers. Yesterday I found your great WEB Page of the Powditch Family. Very good - congratulations, I spend a long time at this pages it´s very interesting. My purpose to contact you is my interest of the time between 1840 and 1960 in Copiapó and Atacama Region (Chili). We have e little project (Museo Virtual de la Region Atacama; unfortunately only in german and spanish). We are showing the history, geology and culture of this part of the world. Main points are the mining history of Atacama (Chañarcillo, Tres Puntas, Dulcinea Mines), the railway history and so on. Shure, the family of the Powditch played a important part of the industrial development of this region. My question is: do you have any letters, fotos or others informations in reference to the mining, living in this years in Copiapó. Could we use this information - (allways mention the origen) in our museo virtual - translated to spanish and german ? Here my links (Museo Virtual) to Historia de Copiapó: http://plata.uda.cl/minas/apuntes/Geologia/museoinfo/turhist00.htm Museo Virtual: http://plata.uda.cl/minas/apuntes/Geologia/Museovirtual/tur001.htm I will take a special look in future for archives and things that I find here in Copiapó which mention your family. If you need any information here of Copiapo, please let me know - I will try to find it out. Apologize my bad english (20 years after school, and now only spanish). And "muchos saludos" de Copiapó. Wolfgang"
July 2004
July	(14th) Monthly Powditch e-Newsletter sent out (Click here to read its contents)
26 Jul 2004	I sent an email to Notty Hornblower (UK) to say; "The minute anything goes into print people suddenly tell you different data". Strangely enough, I do know that very feeling! Thank you very much indeed for the revised tree with all the details. You know, I've just realised that one of my 'problems' re family history, is that although I do have a good amount of information about 20th and 21st century family members, I've tended in the past to concentrate only (to my shame) on the history of the mid-20th century backwards. By your providing me with the details about current family members you have woken me up to a 'new' generation who - if not immediately, will at some time in the future - be interested in discovering more about their family's past. Several years ago, with one of my annual Christmas cards, I sent out a questionnaire to see whether anything had changed within individuals' families over the previous 'x' (think it was something like '6') years, so I think that I might repeat the exercise with this year's card, especially as I gained a lot of information last time. (it's amazing how few births, marriages and deaths I actually hear about!) - so thank you for putting that idea into my mind. A few weeks ago I managed to get to the photocopying shop, so I have had a couple of copies made of your Grandfather's photo, and I will be returning your original to you within the next couple of days (I'll send an email after I've posted the photo to let you know). Just as a matter of interest, do you know whether your Grandfather William was in WW1 at all, and if so, whether he was in either the Navy or the predecessor of the RAF? The only reason I ask, is because when I was going through some of the family information earlier (all of the descendants of William and Mary are now in two very nice thick lever-arch files), I came across the newspaper article relating to 5 of William and Mary's sons being in the army, but son William wasn't mentioned (hence my wondering whether he'd been in either of the 2 other forces). Incidentally besides the newspaper article (and lots more info besides), I do have copies of photos of the 'boys' in their army uniforms - as sent to me by Esme Stone many years ago. There are also photos from the same period of Wm and Mary's daughters, but not one of your Grandfather (and no, that's not a hint!!!) - so perhaps Esme didn't have one amongst her collection. How are things progressing with your Costume Museum. I expect that you get quite busy during the summer months, but do you find that hot or cold or wet weather makes much of a difference to attendance? The only reason I ask is because with us being on the coast, any local event is much influenced by the weather - especially when it's sunny/hot, for then no-one wants to go to exhibitions or anything similar, but rather all head for the beach! I met someone recently who'd put on an exhibition in a local village, only to bemoan that they'd only had a couple through the doors that day due to the sun shining (goodness knows, we don't get too many sunny days, but when it does shine it always seems to shine on the wrong days! A bit like the rain there!) Apologies for the length of this email, but thanks very much indeed for the up-to- date family information, and I'll be in touch again soon.
23 Jul 2004	Melissa Horpinitch and Viktor Musyt married in Ukraine. Melissa is the daughter of Tony and Glenda Horpinitch (nee Knowles) of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
7 July 2004	Valerie Jordeson from the UK, emailed to say;- "As you see, my surname is Jordeson and I am researching my family history. In the course of this I acquired some information about the Powditch family and have a marriage cert which mentions the name Powditch in connection with the marriage of Thomas William Critchett and Alice Jordeson. I have only had time for a quick look at your site, which looks fascinating (I found it because of the mention of Christopher Jordeson) and I am not sure if you are aware of the above connection. Please contact me if you think it may be of interest - also, of course, if you have any Jordeson info to pass on!"
June 2004
June	(13th) Monthly Powditch e-Newsletter sent out (Click here to read its contents)
June 2004	Rang and spoke to Margy Powditch (Hedgerley, Bucks). It had been her sister's funeral today at West Drayton, and there had been a good crowd present, and lots of flowers. A lady Vicar had conducted the sevice, which, according to Margy, was "wonderful".
June 2004	Margy Powditch (Hedgerley, Bucks) rang (and left a message) to let me know that her sister Dreena - who would have been aged 77 years old on 23 August 2004 - had died, following a massive stroke
May 2004
4 May 2004	Unfortunately, due to a downloaded program not having installed correctly, this website had not been updated between 6 April and today. I apologise for any birthdates and anniversaries (etc) not having been prominently displayed during that period, but hope that you were able to access anything you required from the various Month's entries.
4 May 2004	(12th) Monthly Powditch e-Newsletter sent out (Click here to read its contents)
2 May 2004	Received an email from a previously unknown relative of mine (Chris Giffard, of Swansea, South Wales); "I have enjoyed reading the information on the Jones family. I believe that we are related - your grandfather (George Henry Jones) was the brother of my great grandmother (Sarah Annie Jones). My grandmother was May Jones who married George Bowen. They had 5 children - Gladys, Eric, Raymond, Gwynneth and Glenys. I am the daughter of Eric. My son started a family tree quite recently (not much done yet) so I was quite surprised when I found your website. If you want any info. on that part of the family, let me know. Chris" I will be contacting you soon, Chris, and look forward to discovering more about your branch of the family.
1 May 2004	Received an email (dated 13 April 2004) from Pat and Peter Powditch in Adelaide "We have been home from Tasmania for 11 days now. It is a great holiday destination - we were there 3 weeks and will go back next year to see what we missed, and probably stay another 3 or 4 weeks. There is about 4 weeks before we head off for 3 months on our 'big trip' We were intending to head straight up through the middle of Australia to Darwin and then turn left and down the west coast, but the roads up north are all closed because of heavy rains etc. So, we may have to go west first and then up the west coast. (and spend 4-5 days visiting Craig and family if he is still working at Pt Lincoln which is 8 hrs drive from Adelaide and sort of on our way in a round about way) It may sound double dutch, but I know what I mean!!" Hope you have a great trip, and look forward to hearing all about it on your return!
April 2004
20 April 2004	Received the following email from Helen (Eleni) who lives in Australia;- "I have been looking for Peter and Janthia Powditch and stumbled across your website. I will be making contact with them in the next few days. I hung out with the Powditch family for 25 years until they moved from Redfern to the North Coast of New South Wales here in Australia"
12 April 2004	Received the following email from Paul Barlow, who lives in the UK, and who is researching the Pordage family and its history;- "I’ve just been reading through your very interesting site and admiring the amount of effort involved! I am currently embarked on research into the Pordages (of Kent, mostly) and wondered whether you’d come across any information, especially on how we may link up with the Powditch side of the clan! I’m feeling my way on this project although have been helped by a couple of other buffs and of course the internet and now have some 600 names in the file. Anyhow, rather than ramble on at length I thought I’d email you to see whether it was worth examining this in more detail." (I have sent a reply to Paul)
***** Apologies *****	Unfortunately, due to a downloaded program not having installed correctly, this website has not been updated between 6 April and 4 May 2004. I apologise for any birthdates and anniversaries (etc) not having been prominently displayed during that period, but hope that you accessed anything you required from the various Month's entries.
5 April 2004	Our Grandson, Josh is now aged 14 months old, and within the last week, he started walking, unaided ! He's our really wonderful bundle , so full of fun, laughter, and a real joy to be with
March 2004
31 March 2004	(11th) Monthly Powditch e-Newsletter sent out (Click here to read its contents)
1 March 2004	10th Monthly Powditch e-Newsletter sent out (Click here to read its contents)
February 2004
23 February 2004	Received the following email from David Case, who lives in the UK;- "I wish you a successful meeting! A member of my family Henry Case married MARY ANN POWDITCH 1.11.1851 at Burnham Overy. She (born Wells) was dau of William Powditch, mariner - presumably the William Allen Powditch who married Sarah Ann Fairweather. The above Mary Ann died 1879 and is buried at South Burlingham. I would be interested to hear from anyone who may have further info re the above CASE/POWDITCH link. For your info, the above Mary Ann P (dau of William; she had a sister Catherine) appears on page 119 of the pedigree in Norf Geneal Vol 22. Her marriage ref 'Docking 1851' is incorrectly ascribed to another Mary on top line of page 125 of same pedigree. I wish you every success for your meeting."
20 February 2004	Received the following email from David Claxton, who lives in Moe, Australia;- "I hope someone from Wighton helps fill the today gap on knowledge. My G Grandfather and GG Grandfather were born in the village and would appreciate some background."
16 February 2004	Just had an email from Andrew and Paula (Powditch) in Nottingham, with news of their latest addition to the Powditch family. "We have another Powditch in the world. Aaron Robert Powditch Born Feb 5 2004 at 1.05 am weighing 7lb 12 oz (just over 3kg), Nottingham. Both he and Paula are well" A very big welcome into this exciting world, to baby Aaron Robert, and many congratulations to a very happy Dad and Mum. I understand that 14 month old Alexander George, is really thrilled with his new baby brother
9 February 2004	Received the following email from John Murden (UK) "I have found this an excellent site. It gives a picture of the village (Morston). It is so easy to go through the village and not realise the heritage there is in the houses, the quay and the church. It is a site to return to. I found the reference to Rupert Brooke most interesting; I have borrowed a life of Brooke from the local library and will read it and his poems before I visit Morston again. Best wishes"
2 February 2004	Re; Morston Church. Due to a lot of snow last week, followed by a deluge of rain, water has got through the roof and partly flooded the interior of the Church. Fortunately the rain didn't affect the Powditch floor memorial, although the flooding did come within 9" (225mm) of 2 of its sides. Although this is not a plea for donations to the "Friends of Morston Church" Appeal, - a copy of the leaflet re same was posted with the annual Powditch Christmas card etc, to all family members in December 2003 - urgent attention will need to be taken to the roof in the near future to ensure that there won't be a repeat of the problem, as well as to ensure that the internal monuments, paintings, etc are not damaged.
1 February 2004	Received an email enquiry from Alan Bennett (UK), in which he wrote;- "my ancestors are from Bale and surrounding area. I am principally interested in Bond family and its amazing to think that your ancestors and mine were probably on speaking terms all those years ago. My gt.gt. grandmother Unah Bond (nee. Bridges) is buried in Wiveton d.1866. It was great to find her headstone last year. Good luck with your great site - might even find we have some relatives somewhere along the line"
1 February 2004	9th Monthly Powditch e-Newsletter sent out (Click here to read its contents)
January 2004 / December 2003
1 January 2004	Happy New Year to everyone