Background

In 1997 I decided that, as our family became more scattered throughout Britain and now the world, the memories of our family should be recorded and left for our descendents. Armed with a very sketchy family tree and more enthusiasm than skill, I embarked upon researching the family tree. Despite periods of inactivity due to the constraints of work, I have now begun to piece together a history of the Wales family. With this has come a rich stream of memories from my parents which had never seen the light of day - well for me any way. My wish now is that I had more time to document these. In time I aim to blend the historical facts of the family tree with both pictures and stories, to help create for future generations a fuller insight into the family.

This site has already led me to potential relatives in America and other researches in England. Any researcher of the Wales & related families is very welcome to publish their interests and contacts on this site.

Norfolk, is an old and venerable county, bordered to the West by Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, and to the South by Suffolk. In years gone by Norwich, the capital city of Norfolk, was second only to London . Norwich boasts an exceptional Norman Cathedral. Norfolk’s regal history includes the home of Queen Boudicca and Queen Elizabeth II’s estate at Sandringham, not to mention the headless ghost of Ann Boleyne, Henry VIII’s wife.

The Wales Family

There are potential links back into Norfolk’s early past. The earliest variations of the name date back to William Waleis in 1160. However, my research has only been able to trace my branch of the family back to the late 1600’s, after which the parish and civil records hold few clues. The family were centered around the villages of Hunstanton and Holme Next to Sea, located to the North of Kings Lynn, on the coast.

On both my Mother’s and my Fathers sides of the family, all my ancestors have currently been Norfolk born and bred. Rarely, members of the family have left Norfolk to move to Yorkshire or London, but these are few. I am now turning my attention to researching my Mother’s side of the family and receiving some welcome assistance from other Norfolk researchers.

As time permits, I will continue to update the research findings and this background page. I hope in time to be able to share a little bit of the feel for our family, their history and their development.