The Revolution is This Way!

Tixover: Visiting St Luke’s in the Field Church! (26.10.2025)

We first visited this Church around 2009 – but at that time we were only focusing on the gravestones in St Mary’s Church – Duddington, and ignoring everything else. This was partly due to the early mobile ‘phones and digital cameras possessing a very limited memory. As time went by, and our genealogical research developed, we were asked to include an ever greater scope in our research which we shared online. This coincided with the technology drastically improving. Meanwhile, when we started this “Wyles” research project – we did not even possess a permanent website – and to date we have had two – before settling on the site we now possess. Tixover is just over the bridge at the Western boundary of Duddington – and is about a mile or so down the road. Tixover (Old English meaning “Kids eat grass on a slope” – kids being young goats).

Moses Roper - Escaped US Slave!

Email: Stamford Mercury [October 1839] Remembering English Civility and the Case of Escaped African-Slave – “Moses Roper”!

The village my father comes from is in this area of Northamptonshire (Duddington) – where the Wyles family has lived since 1500 and before. When visiting Stamford Library in 2009 on a research trip – I acquired this article – originally stored on microfilm. Here is the story of Moses Roper – an African slave who escaped from the US and made his way to England – where he was given his freedom and an education. Of course, none of this makes up for slavery, but given the crimes we have committed against Africans, every ray of light matters! 

Duddington Plaque Contains Our "Wyles" Ancestors!

Northants: Duddington [Area] War Memorials – Digitalised! (1.8.2025)

We have been travelling around Duddington and the surrounding area – research genealogical information for the local surname “Wyles”. Whilst carrying-out this vital historical investigation – we decided to gather data pertaining to the often forgotten War Memorials and Rolls of Honour. We include four such projects that we have completed this week (we are thinking of extending this to any area we find old Churches containing War Memorials).

Rockingham Castle - Battlements!

Rutland: Visiting Rockingham Castle! (29.7.2025)

Despite visiting Duddington (in Northants) regularly since 2009, we had never seen any signs for “Rockingham” – and wondered where this place was. Furthermore, whereas King Henry VIII used to frequent “Nonsuch” (in Sutton and Cheam – where we live) – I am told that King John (1166-1216) of Magna Carta fame, used to spend his leisure time staying at Rockingham Castle – which is near Rockingham village. He used to hunt in the local woods. Apparently, Henry VIII granted the castle (the Norman version of which is currently over 950-years old) to the Watson family (it was leased to Edward Watson in 1544). Prior to this, the general area the castle is now constructed upon possessed a Roman (a coin production industry) – and then a Saxon (Lord Bovi) – presence. The locale of Rockingham (probably the nearby village) is mentioned in the 1066 Doomsday Book – with the castle proper being built between 1066-1071.

Duddington Bridge - 2025

Northants: Ancient Duddington – Tixover Bridge! (27.7.2025)

As soon as we entered the graveyard – everyone started shouting-out the name “Wyles”! I was astonished as I had become so used to having a name that hardly anyone had heard of. It turns-out that names in the UK – just like anywhere in the world – developed in local areas and spread-out as populations moved about. It turned-out that Duddington has been cut-off from mainstream society for years – with my direct relatives not leaving until around 1905. Even today – the world has passed Duddington by. None of the broader changes of society have touched Duddington at all. The local population today are wealthy and conservative with a “C” and “c”. Although I do not share these views myself – I have to admit that these attitudes have preserved my family history until I became aware of it – and have been able to gather all the data together for anyone interested to benefit freely from it. Today, myself and Gee headed to Duddington around 6aam in the morning to get some early research in. We are staying in the Duddington area to carry-out some much needed genealogical investigations and we are making important headways already!

All Our New Year Cards!

London: Happy Chinese New Year [恭喜發財 – Gung Hay Fat Choi] 2025-4723! (29.1.2025)

In otherwards, by showing respect to one another (humanity) animals, plants, and nature – a great inner happiness is generated that flows outward through society and generates all kinds of inner and outer wealth (not just material wealth – but also intellectual, emotional and spiritual). This is the proper use of Confucianism ideology – not distorted by governments and classes that have ulterior motives used to control the masses through deception. The Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 CE) was originally “foreign” (Manchurian-Jurchen) – and distorted Confucian thinking so as to paralyse Chinese society and prevent its development. Today, the Jurchen are now considered “Chinese” – and Confucianism is used to emphasise “education” and “self-cultivation”.

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