The Seagraves Family, The California branch: who we are and where we came from.: January 2005

Sunday, January 30, 2005

The Seagraves's family Newsletter Questionnaire

All information gathered here will be kept confidential, and if you ask me to, I'll even erase your comment off this sight.

I'm sorry but, this questionnaire is for the California branch only.
If you'd like to fill it out anyway, I would use it on this sight only.

The questionnaire:

1.My name is:_______________________
2.My spouse's or significant other's name is:____________________
3.My parent's names are:_____________________
4.My occupation is:_________________________
5.My address is:___________________________
______________________________________
6.My e-mail address is_______________________
7.My children's names are:____________________
______________________________________
8.My grandchildren names are:_________________
______________________________________
9.My news that I'd like to share is:_______________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
This sight is connected to my e-mail, and I check it nearly every day. And if you want to share this information with me, and not with everyone who reads this sight; just let me know and I will erase it. But, if you want to answer the questionnaire, then you will have to do it as a comment, but you don't have to write the whole question(that would be too hard), just use the question numbers. Thank you.

Thursday, January 13, 2005

Seagraves Texas--was it settled by a Seagraves?

Ever since I found out about Seagraves Texas, I had been wondering if one of our forbearer had settled the town. One of my cousin even thought it had been. Well if you too were wondering, and probably wondering were I'm going with this too.....Well wonder no more!

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Seagraves Texas was originally called Blythe, because it had a post office on the Blythe ranch about 1911. Then the Santa Fe railroad, decided to make Blythe the end of the spur running from Lubbock, and that was around 1917. But because there was already a Blythe, on the Santa Fe line(Yeah, all the way in California) they just had to change the name, to advoid confusion--don't you know(maybe for them). So they decided to change the name to a certain Santa Fe Railroad Official by the name of C.L. Seagraves.

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Who C.L. Seagraves was beside an Railroad official I still haven't determined, nor have I found what why they had selected him for this honor. But there you have it! Seagraves Texas wasn't settled by a Seagraves, but it was named after a Seagraves.

Seagraves Family HistSeagraves Coat of Arms / Seagraves Family Crestory

The surname of SEAGRAVES was a locational name 'of Seagrove' a spot in County Leicestershire. Following the crusades in Europe in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, a need was felt for a family name to replace the one given at birth, or in addition to it. This was recognized by those of noble birth, and particularly by those who went on the Crusades, as it added prestige and practical advantage to their status. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. Local names usually denoted where a man held his land, and indicated where he actually lived. Early records mention Thomas de Segraua, 1180, County Leicestershire. William Seagrave was documented in County Notttingham in the year 1300. Edward Segrave of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. The name is also spelt Seagrief, Seagrove and Seagrave. In many parts of central and western Europe, hereditary surnames began to become fixed at around the 12th century, and have developed and changed slowly over the years. As society became more complex, and such matters as the management of tenure, and in particular the collection of taxes were delegated to special functionaries, it became imperative to distinguish a more complex system of nomenclature to differentiate one individual from another. The origin of badges and emblems, are traced to the earliest times, although, Heraldry, in fact, cannot be traced later than the 12th century, or at furthest the 11th century. At first armorial bearings were probably like surnames and assumed by each warrior at his free will and pleasure, his object being to distinguish himself from others. It has long been a matter of doubt when bearing Coats of Arms first became hereditary. It is known that in the reign of Henry V (1413-1422), a proclamation was issued, prohibiting the use of heraldic ensigns to all who could not show an original and valid right, except those 'who had borne arms at Agincourt'. The College of Arms (founded in 1483) is the Royal corporation of heralds who record proved pedigrees and grant armorial bearings.