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vivprice wrote:
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>
>
>