Is there a project that covers these pre-1700 people? Gerrard/Jerod, Dorset

Question

I want to help contribute to the deep genealogy on our shared tree.

1.) Geographical region and time period:   [Dorset, England before 1840.]

2.) Some example names and dates:   [Jerod/Gerrard from 1680s.]

3.) Source(s) for my information on them:   [Dorset opc and research carried out in Dorchester by my great-grandfather, Gerrard-644.]

Before I get started adding and changing profiles, can you tell me if there is a WikiTree project that would cover these people? If so, how do I get in touch with the project members to coordinate and collaborate on the profiles?

Answer 1

Hi Russell, the correct project would be the England project. Here's the 'join up' question.

https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/672526/come-join-the-england-project?start=40#a_list_title

As I'm interested in Dorset, your post caught my attention I've also done some work on some of the earlier Gerrards from Trent in Somerset  I had a look at your latest profiles and did a quick search of the Dorset History Centre catalogue. Lots of records naming Gerrards  from Beaminster. (from land transfers to settlement orders so covering a wide spectrum of society)

  This however intrigued me. Could these also be notes from your G Grandfather who I note was a pharmacist ? If so DHC would I think, love to know the name of the author!

D1-NK/9

Title        Family Notes. Gerard or Jerard family of Dorset..

Description        Mentions: Netherbury, Lopen (Somerset), Bratton Seymour (Somerset), Gerrard's Green (Beaminster), Sanford Orcas, Parnham House, Buckham Manor, Mapperton, Chideock, Steeple, Evershot, Yetminster etc. [Author of these four pages of notes is not known, but he appears to have been a pharmacist]

Date        C.20th century

Comments

Hi, Helen,

Yes, it sounds very much as though my great-grandfather would have written those notes.  There was a book on the Jerrards of Dorset written in 1912 by Frederick Bartholomew Jerrard, to which A W Gerrard contributed some comments about his Dorset Gerrard ancestors, hoping to uncover a line of descent.  My father, S J Gerrard, wrote a book (2014) in which he supplemented AWG's research with findings of his own, but he never did discover a link to the Gerrards of Parnham: it looks as though our ancestors were relentlessly working-class.

Should I contact the DHC?

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Absolutely. I  can pop in  sometime this week  and could have a look at the notes (not sure though that they will allow me to photocopy them  even if they are 20th C.) I could ask them what to do...though if the senior archivist isn't there they may not know .

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Hi, Helen,

Thanks very much for this.  If they are handwritten, I can compare the writing with other samples which are in my possession.  But I should warn you that I will be in Bratislava from Tuesday to Friday next week, so there could be some delay in replying.

I have emailed the DHC.

All the best,

Russell