FAMILIES who want to find out the secrets of their surnames are being invited to trace their heritage to tourist sites across Cumbria.
Cumbria’s Living Heritage is inviting people to discover whether they could have links to some of the county’s great houses and their past and present residents. The group is encouraging a dabble into genealogy by teasing people through the surnames linked to some of its greatest assets.
Penningtons or Muncasters may have links to Muncaster Castle, where the family tree can be traced back to the 12th century. It may also be worth a visit for anyone called Skelton, as it was once home to Tom Skelton, a shady and complex character who was the castle’s fool and is thought to be the original Tom Fool.
Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum in Ambleside should be a magnet for not just Wordsworths, but Cooksons, Hutchinsons and Crackenthorps.
Meanwhile, Swarthmoor Hall, the cradle of Quakerism, could hold secrets for those named Fox, Fell, Askew or Abraham.
Visit www.cumbriaslivingheritage.co.uk to find out more.
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