Memory - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

"In Memory Of . . ." anyone know the Graveyard story?

Jill Ernst — 2 Dec 2005 5:28:32 GMT

My husband's grandmother is a Memory (read end of this for graveyard story). Her line goes like this:

Anna James and Isaac Memory of Abatillery, South Wales, had twelve children, including a son named James Memory (b. 4/12/1865, d. 9/7/61). The family immigrated to Ohio (Castle Gardens?) in 1872.

James moved to La Salle, IL and married Anna Janette (Jenny) Randolph. They family then moved many many places, eventually settling in Lodi, CA in 1916. Over the years, they seven children: Harvey, Nora, George, Alden (died at 5), Ruth, William, and James. I have quite a bit of information on James Memory Sr. if anyone is interested.

Harvey Isaac Memory (b.?) married Ethyl Young. They had several children including a daughter named Ruth, who is my husband's grandmother.

Question is: Ruth swears that all Memories are related because the name is made up. It goes something like this: there was a son of English gentry who wanted to marry a poor Welsh girl but the family was against it. They decided to elope. At some point during their elopement, they had to choose a new name so that the husband could hide from his family. They were in a graveyard and saw "In Memory Of" on a grave and decided Memory would be a good last name.

The end of this story is that the young couple got married and boarded a ship to America, which does not tie in with Anna and Isaac immigrating from South Wales (unless Isaac was the gentry kid). I'm trying to get the facts sorted from the fiction.

Does anyone else know this story, or do you have any further information on this branch of the Memory family?

Blanche Memory

bob — 11 May 2005 1:29:37 GMT

Blance memory was my fathers mother. Does anyone know anything about her?

Memorys from Staverton Devon

Stephen Memory — 16 May 2005 11:50:54 GMT

I am trying to confirm the existence of Nicolas Memory from Staverton Devon, probably married to Honor on 29-12-1784.

Also his children, especially Nicholas born 21-12-1788, Elizabeth born 26-06-1785, John born 09-02-1794 and Ann born 05-03-1797

Does anyone have advice on the best way to research records for Staverton, Devon.I am not having much luck and cannot easily research these records from Australia.

Memory surname origin and history in France and England

Joanne Lewis — 29 May 2005 2:43:02 GMT

With the assistance of a wonderful lady at a local library I have uncovered the origin of the Memory's.
We are descended from the D'Albini family from Montbrai, La Manche, Normandy. A certain William D'albini (also written as D'Aubigny) was descended from Richard, Count of Normandy. He took the name De Montbrai and after the Norman conquest thereabouts settled in England. The "English" line of the family became Mowbray, the French line became Memery or Memory (along with many other spellings). In the 1790's around the time of the French revolution, refugees from France came over to England and surprise, surprise they were called Memory. Some unfortunate others were left in France, and took part in a demo against Napoleon (June Days ?), these were punished and sentenced to death or transported to French colonies such as Algeria (this happened to my unfortunate ancestor). The Membreys of Stanton Prior is a bit of a strange one, one source says that the name is taken from the place name Membury, the other that the place was named after this family. Hope someone can clear this up!
Hope this info helps!
You will be pleased to know that Winston Churchill and Princess Di were also descended from William D'Albini so we have famous relatives too!
Other notable relatives:

Henri Memery and Professor Laurent Memery- French scientists.

Surname Memory/ Memery/ Memeri/ Memary in France and Algiers

Joanne Lewis — 29 May 2005 2:44:25 GMT

My mother's maiden name was Memory, but it originally had a different spelling, think it was Memery or Mameri.
There are a lot of Memerys and Memorys in France, a far more common surname there than in England, also found in former French colonies with a variety of spellings as above.
My ancestors (great grandads family) lived in Algiers, North Africa although I think they were probably French Algerian rather than Native Algerian. last known relative there was circa 1930s.
The surname Memory in England is "Franglaise", probably comes from the Norman conquest, escapees from the French revolution, the Hugenots, abscondees from Napoleons army or like my ancestors, French subjects who just settled here.
Hope you're all not too shocked at these "foreign" revelations!!
It truly is a beautiful and unusual name in England and you should be very proud to be a Mem!
Interesting to find a site with all you Memorys, I wonder if we are all distantly related ?

Memory surname in London/Middlesex area

earthchild71 — 28 Jun 2005 11:51:01 GMT

I am trying to trace back from my Grandmother but have little info,other than she was born in 1930,name Phyllis Kathleen and her siblings were called Peggy,Alice and Charlie.
Any ideas?

Trying to find the other Sharon

Sharon Eileen Memory — 1 Feb 2001 12:13:29 GMT

In the past I have seen information concerning Sharon Eileen Memory!! That's me.
I would love to find any information about her. The exact Name, spelling. Memory is unique, hard to forget. I'm surprised there are so many. Sharon Eileen Memory Bringhurst

Need info on desc. of Isaac and Anna Memory (fr. Abatillery, S. Wales, 1872)

Jill Ernst — 2 Dec 2005 5:27:53 GMT

I'm looking for any information on the descendants (or antecedents) of Isaac and Anna (James) Memory. They emigrated to America from Abatillery, S. Wales in 1872, and settled in Ohio (possibly Castle Gardens), about ten miles from Sharon, Pennsylvania. Isaac became a mineworker, and at some point, a Methodist minister.

Isaac and Anna had twelve children: 5 girls and 7 boys. Although we don’t know the names of all of the children, we do know of James, John, Harry, and Katherine (later Graham).

My husband's line continues with the son James (b. April 12, 1865, d. September 7, 1961), who moved all over the place before settling in Lodi, California. He married Anna Janette Randolph. I have quite a bit of information on James for anyone who is interested. Thanks!

Rachel Memory Howell b. 1845-1860 in NC

Jennifer mooney — 4 Sep 2002 8:56:45 GMT

I am tracing family lines, and have discovered Rachel is a ggg grandmother. She married John Mills Howell, and we believe they resided in either Columbus or Richmond Counties in NC. Do any of you have Rachel in your family tree/research. I will be glad to share information.
Regards, Jennifer

Robert Memory Family Info

C.W. Lauro — 30 Jul 1999 11:51:16 GMT

Robert Memory of County Mayo, Ireland born in late 1700's/early 1800's. Was married to Frances Collins. Their son, Stephen John Memory, Sr. (born about 1825)left Ireland at age 18 for Toronto.

Also, John Briget Nolan of Ireland (County Wicklow) were the parents of the wife of Stephen J. Memory, Sr. Her name was also Briget.

Looking for town(s) to visit in Ireland where my family came from. Would appreciate any info available. Thank you

finding son

carl memory — 20 Nov 2001 5:21:48 GMT

my name is carl memory and i had a son born in2-22-1955 in puxtent naval air base. I am intrested in finding him and if anybody has any info on him i would really like to hear from you his name is kenneth carl memory born 02-22-1955 his mothers maiden name is lisa bell

Mary Memory Born SC Approximately 1800

Ron Gray — 14 Jul 2001 1:38:45 GMT

I seek any information pertinent to Mary Memory who stated that she was born in SC. Mary Memory married William Gray. The family moved West and ultimately settled in DeKalb County, AL (Northeast AL) sometime around 1835.

Robert Memory Family Info

C.W. Lauro — 30 Jul 1999 11:50:07 GMT

Getting in touch

mind@CSLauro.com — 2 Sep 1999 3:11:00 GMT

I'm still looking forward to exchanging some information with you. I'd like to hear from you by e-mail if possible.

Mary Donaldson