Hi Ruth,
Just putting in my two pence worth,I have been practising
saying OWEN in a very strong Welsh accent,you try it.
Pob Lwc.
Vivian.
-----Original Message-----
From: Dick Jones <rcjones(a)rmplc.co.uk>
To: POWYS-L(a)rootsweb.com <POWYS-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Date: 31 July 1999 03:24
Subject: Re: OLIN -best location
>Hello,
>I logged on new here and am really going at a needle in a haystack.
>
>I am looking for any connection to a surname of OLIN. I have NO idea
>where to start in Wales, so I just picked one of your sites.
>
>All that I know is that my gr gr ... grandfather was "picked up" ( I
>believe that inscripted is the correct word) off the wharf in a coastal
>town in Wales by a British Man-O-War in 1678 and brought to America as
>such. The ship landed in Boston Harbor and this young John Olin of 14
>jumped ship or walked away and never looked back. To his dying day no one
>in the family knew where he came from other than Wales. We figure that he
>did not want the British to come looking for him so he just stayed quiet
>about the whole affair.
>
>Now, what I need to know is, is OLIN indeed a Welsh name or a possible
>derivative? Next, where would there be a probable location for several
>persons of this name. I realize that the spelling could have been changed
>drastically, plus John probably did not read nor write so there is another
>problem...
>
>Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Waiting for replies,
>Ruth in Illinois, USA
Ruth
Conscripted is the correct word. In those days the conscription or
'pressing' was carried out by a 'press-gang' which was a body of men
employed under the command of an officer 'to press' men for service in the
army or navy. Here the verb 'to press' literally means to seize and
physically force a man into service.
OLIN is not a Welsh personal name or surname and there is nothing vaguely
similar (if anything it sounds Scandinavian). All that I can think of is
that he was John o Leyn, i.e. John from the Lleyn peninsula - the peninsula
which sticks out below Anglesey. In any case he would be unlikely to have a
surname at this time unless he came from an anglicised area or was one of
the upper classes.
In view of the name, the early period and the irregular *way he came to the
New World I think you've got a hopeless task.
*Some young people came across as indentured servants and there are records
of the contracts.
--
Dick Jones
Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. U.K. <rcjones(a)rmplc.co.uk>