The "Tapscott's" -- Who are we? Where do we come from?.

 

An extract from the family tree can be found here (the link will open another tab or window depending on your browser settings) - the pages will continue to be updated as we trace more members of the family.

So far we have traced origins, on the Tapscott side of the family, through South Wales and then back to the Othery / Langport area of Somerset (I was born in Bridgwater, Somerset). There are many Tapscott's buried around Minehead (near the Somerset / Devon border) and we have confirmed links to Culmstock in the east Devon area.   Finally, there is mention (in the family folklore) of a Tapscott being hung after the "Bloody Assizes" trials at Taunton after the Battle of Sedgemoor (c 1685), and also, we believe, of one or two Tapscott's being sent to the West Indies at the same time. 

We have also included details (as received from one of his descendants) of Samuel Tapscott (who has the same father as my great great grandfather) and his lineage - Samuel emigrated to Australia in 1849.   There are also a large number of Tapscott's in the USA and Canada. We have tentative links to living members in the latter and this is an avenue that will be followed in due course.

There is also good progress on my Mothers side - the Wallace family, where the family tree has been traced back to circa 1830. On the way was a major link with the Storey family, with a number of the Wallace clan marrying Storey's.

We have also listed below some of the sites found useful during our searches - again, this will be added to as we find more:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission where details can be found of deaths, and often burial details, of those killed during the wars. We have located grave details of several of the Wallace clan who lost their lives during the first World War, but have been unable to trace at least one other who we believe died during that time

Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet - an excellent source of helpful information and links.

FamilySearch - a huge number of names recorded, with extensive search facilities

Find My Past  - Pay-for-use online searchable indexes with online images available