Hereditary Property

       One of the earliest books which directed my attention to the Welsh origin of the surname Jones was titled An Historical Atlas Of Wales From Early to Modern Times. It was published in 1967 and written by William Rees. Lots of maps, tables, figures and content was there. It is no wonder why maps are high on my list of the thought processes. [Published by Faber and Faber, London.] In this text staring on page 21 is the topic named "The Celtic Church In Wales". Little did I know how important this content would be to my now 60 + years of tree climbing. The important concepts are written:

      "The movement had its rise in Egypt whence it spread by way of the Mediterranean to Gaul and eventually to the British Isles where it seized the imagination of the Celtic west...". 

                                               (Sounds like my last several posts.)

      Going forward it reads:

      "Inspired by the new movement, members of ruling families, and others of humbler origin adopted the religious life of a hermit or attracted to themselves disciples, to form in due course the nucleus of a monastic community of Celtic type."

      The important concept on page 22 reads:

      "The monastery with its revenue became the hereditary property of the family of the founder, one or other member usually exercising the priestly office."

      It was this last statement that helped break down several brick walls in my ancestor discovery. What a deal, hereditary property. I certainly did not recognize or understand this family dynamic in 1967.