Content & Construction
The “Pinsons” (or similar), who were the precursors of the “Pinsent” family, lived in Devon in the Middle Ages and, although some of them and their descendants kept the “Pinson” name, others became “Pinsents.”
In an ideal world, they would all fit on twigs attached to branches on a single robust and thriving family tree. However, in reality, what we find is a few strong limbs with attached branches and a forest floor that is littered with broken twigs that should all connect up – but it is not clear how. It was all a long time ago!
This website describes the origin and descent (as best I can) of the eight branches of the family that are currently (or were until recently) active in the United Kingdom. The families are assigned to specific locations: Thus they relate to (1) DEVONPORT; (2) HENNOCK; (3) TIVERTON; (4) BRISTOL; (5) TEIGNMOUTH, and (6) BOVEY TRACEY and to the Commonwealth countries of (7) INDIA and (8) AUSTRALIA – all places that can easily be found on Google Earth!
Note that there may only be six branches genetically, as the AUSTRALIANS probably link back to the BRISTOLIANS and the TEIGNMOUTH branch seems to start with an illegitimate birth. However, that is another story.
The Civil Birth, Marriage, and Death Registration data filed in the “General Records Office,” in London, was used to create the origninal branch structures and these were projected back in time using a combination of parish records and other data. Some of the linkages are stronger and better than others, but I think they are correct. I encourage readers to judge for themselves and let me know of they see mistakes or have reservations.
Many 19th and 20th century family members are mentioned in newspaper articles, and these and other anecdotal sources have helped weave people’s lives into internally consistent narratives. Relevant newspaper articles can be found in the “Resources” section of the database, and in time some of the less readily available source material should (eventually) find its way there too.
The same Christian names appear countless times; so every person in the database has been assigned a unique identifier. This number – or “GROID” (originally “General Records Office ID”) – is displayed on each individual’s biography page (see: Robert John Pinsent [GRO0748 Hennock] for an example). I have also attached the identifier to reference items used to create that individual’s biography.
The “Branch Summary” sections lists the names of the people in a given branch with their dates of birth and death (where known) under “All Members.” Productive males are linked to their own biographies (where available) through their identifiers. However, you may only learn about their wives and some of their some children, by clicking through to the head of the family.
Note that where I have been UNABLE to identify someone, or where he or she fits on the tree, I have put them aside without a reference number [GROxxxx xxxxx and/or GRO0000 00000]. I hope to add their “GROIDs” later, when I see where they fit in the jigsaw. I have a vast amount of unassigned information!
“Pinsents” belonging to some of the more robust of the ancient and broken twigs and branches have received similar “DROID” (originally “Devon Record Office ID”) identifiers that reflect their lineage; however, with the notable exception of the early part of Sir William Pynsent’s [“COMBE”] line, none of these families have been written up, and they are not discussed here. For the later part of the “COMBE” line, see the book mentioned in the introduction.
With regard to the Newfoundlanders, I have given out over 1,000 “NFLID” (“Newfoundland ID”) identifiers and built them into provisional branches. However, the linkages need work and the families are not discussed here.
I (Robert Hugh Pinsent: [GRO1152 Hennock]) belong to the HENNOCK branch. If you are interested in a particular person, enter their name or “GROID” in the Search bar and see what turns up! There is not much on me as I am not dead yet!
Navigation
The FAMILY BRANCH SUMMARIES provide a short discussion of the presumed origin and history of each of the named branches (AUSTRALIA, BOVEY TRACEY etc.). They also include a list of the “NOTABLE MEMBERS” with a hint about their profession and location. This listing provides easy access to that person’s biography – which includes textual information about their family.
At the base of a person’s biography, there is a list of contacts relating to his “FAMILY TREE.” The list provides easy access to an individual’s “GRANDPARENTS”; his “PARENTS”; his “FATHERS SIBLINGS” and his own “MALE SIBLINGS.” By clicking through you can work your way up and down the tree – or sideways for that matter!
Below the “NOTABLE MEMBERS,” there is a far longer list of “ALL MEMBERS” of the branch. Those with a book icon have biographies and you can click through to them directly and proceed as above. Others (mostly sons who failed to marry and have children) have an up-turned arrow – which tells you that the individual is discussed with his father – so go there. On the pages of “arrowed” people you will find their “GRAND PARENTS”, “PARENTS” and “FATHERS SIBLINGS” contacts to assist in navigation around the tree. The same can be said for other males who lack the arrow. Many of them died young. Their tree linkages are the same but there is not much said about them in their father’s biography.
Most of the female children have links back to their father and from him around the tree. In most cases you will find what is known about them in their father’s biography. Although most wives are discussed with their husbands, there are some exceptions: a few have their own biographies. They are listed in the “ALL MEMBERS” table under their married name of “Pinsent,” and by clicking through to them you will find their husbands – who they will bring you back into the main stream.
Note that the “PREVIOUS” and “NEXT” fields at the end of the Biographical descriptions are NOT properly linked, and should not be used for navigation purposes.
If you click through to the BIOGRAPHIES, you should find fairly detailed descriptions of at least 77 DEVONPORT, 67 TIVERTON, 57 BRISTOL, 48 HENNOCK, 15 AUSTRALIA, 11 TEIGNMOUTH, 16 BOVEY TRACEY and 7 INDIA branch males and their families. That makes 286 and counting.