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EMAIL FROM AMERICA
Back in June 2006, a lady called JoAnn Drew Dworman sent an email via the Heritage Group website asking for help in learning as much as possible about her ancestry.
This turned out to be no ordinary request, as JoAnn was emailing from the United Sates of America!
She was planning a solo trip to Chester-le-Street in July 2007 to follow up her claimed family connections with the Lumley and Hylton families.
JoAnn had recently had her ancestry traced by a professional genealogist and had discovered that she was a descendant of Sir Thomas Lumley who married Elizabeth Plantagenet and if this was correct, it made her a direct descendant of King Edward IV, as Elizabeth Plantagenet was his illegitimate daughter through the King’s relationship with his mistress Elizabeth Wayte..
Research carried out by one of our Group Members confirmed that Sir Thomas Lumley had in fact been married to Elizabeth Plantagenet and that Elizabeth was recorded as the illegitimate daughter of King Edward IV.
Information taken from the Lumley Family Arms and Inscription above Effigy No.12 located against the wall in Chester-le-Street Parish Church read as follows:
“Sir Thomas Lumley KnP. Sonne of George Lord Lumley married Elizabeth daughter natural to K. Edwd. 4th and he died in the life of his father and had issue with Richard Lord Lumley.
Below a sketch of the Effigy representing Sir Thomas Lumley located in Chester-le-Street Parish Church. |  |
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 | | An old sketch of the Lumley Warriors located in the Parish Church. |
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 | Above: JoAnn Dworman reunited with her ancestor Sir Thomas Lumley.
The following information was also obtained from other sources:
Elizabeth PLANTAGENET
Born: ABT 1464, England
Notes: As was typical of that day, British kings often had mistresses, and these women bore them children. However, in that more promiscuous time, these illegitimate children, while not in line for the throne, were known to be descended from the King and were often given titles. It was in this way that Elizabeth, born about 1464, came to be accepted as the daughter of King Edward IV and his mistress Elizabeth Wayte. While there is some confusion about her mother's name, it appears well established that Elizabeth Plantagenet was the King's daughter, and that she married Sir Thomas Lumley. Additional evidence of Elizabeth's parentage may be seen in the papal dispensation granted in 1489 for Elizabeth's son, Richard Lumley, to marry Anne Conyers, they being related in the [3rd and] 4th degree of kindred. A dispensation was needed for this marriage, as the two parties were both descended from Ralph Neville, K.G., 1st Earl of Westmorland, and his wife, Joan Beaufort (see Testamenta Eboracensia 3 (Surtees Soc., vol. 45) (1865): 355)].
Thomas LUMLEY (Sir)
Born: ABT 1460, Lumley, Durham, England
Died: 1487, Vp
Notes: Died before his father, consequently the estates were inherited by his son, Richard, Lord Lumley, who, coming into these possessions in 1509, lived but two years to enjoy them. Fought on Richard III's side at the Battle of Bosworth.
JoAnn arrived in Chester-le-Street on 24th October, having travelled up from York and checked into, where else, but the Lumley Castle Hotel. Arrangements had previously been made with the Heritage Group for JoAnn to be collected from Lumley Castle and to be taken to the Parish Centre for lunch and then on to the Parish Church, together with a visit to the Library for further research.
Two Members of the Heritage Group gave JoAnn a guided tour of the church and reunited her with her ancestor.
The following day, JoAnn visited Hylton Castle, Sunderland, and during her visit, she met and was interviewed by a reporter which resulted in a two page item about JoAnn’s pilgrimage in the Sunderland Echo.
Upon returning to her home in America, JoAnn emailed the Heritage Group to thank all concerned for their time and assistance and promises to return next year with a friend with the intention of spending more time in the North East to research her roots. |
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 | Deep in discussions - JoAnn, talking to Heritage Group Members Peter Witham and May Chapman.
A few days after JoAnn's visit the following email was received through the Group's Website:
Dear Heritage Group,
Thank you again for all that you did for me. It was a great day and I so appreciate all the information. May and Peter were a terrific help. Everyone for that matter was wonderful.
In a week or so, I will send you my account of my trip and you indeed may write what you want and use whatever photos you want. Interestingly, when I went up to Hilton Castle the following day, a reporter did a story on me that was a tad bit sensationalized; but you know they are trying to save that castle so it was for a good cause. Anyway, you are lovely people in Durham. I'll always be grateful for how close you brought me to such valuable history.
Your friend,
JoAnn |
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