Stacey Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 I got this in my Uncle Fester's newsletter this morning. Researchers have compiled a list of all the people in the UK throughout history who were accused and/or executed for witchcraft. The list is here and it's quite long, so you never know, you might find an ancestor or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wytchywoman Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Thanks for this very interesting list. So far I do not see any names that ring a bell for me. Perhaps others just might. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RavenFlyer Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 I saw a couple of names that rang a bell. But right now I'm not sure if they ring a bell because I saw them on a list before of witches, or on my family tree. I'll have to pull up my tree and look at it before I can say. Thanks stacey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wytchywoman Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 I saw a couple of names that rang a bell. But right now I'm not sure if they ring a bell because I saw them on a list before of witches, or on my family tree. I'll have to pull up my tree and look at it before I can say. That's cool! Update us if you find out where you heard those names before! I was going through the list again, noticing one hung for Catholicism (must have been when the protestant movement banned them). But I wonder just how many of these people were actually and truly witches oppose to how many were merely accused with embellished or made up evidences. My guess is that most actual witches were extremely careful and were much harder to catch than unsuspecting townsfolk being accused by some angry neighbor or hysterical busy body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinney Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Isobel Gowdie is a very "famous" name even a classical music piece about her. Also Agnes Sampson http://www.tradition...another-thread/ And My 'ancestor' Sarah Ramage is also mentioned in the Scottish trials and being accused of witchcraft.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloe Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Elizabeth Sawyer is another 'famous' one I saw on there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honeythorn Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 My surname isn't there. The closest is "Shore" Mine is Shaw. I noticed nearly all of the burnings occured in Scotland. I wonder why they went for that so often? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiterose Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 My surname isn't there. The closest is "Shore" Mine is Shaw. I noticed nearly all of the burnings occured in Scotland. I wonder why they went for that so often? OT, but, I have Shaw in my family line...they married in to my surnname. My name isn't on there either, I wouldn't expect it to be. I am highly french and german in my makeup with sprinklings many other nationalities in there. My point is that your line may not have gotten "caught" or they originated in a different country. There are many living witch lines that never got "caught". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babooshka Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 My surname isn't there. The closest is "Shore" Mine is Shaw. I noticed nearly all of the burnings occured in Scotland. I wonder why they went for that so often? Well what do you know! Mine's Shaw too, some of my family were originally from stoke-on trent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jevne Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 My surname isn't there. The closest is "Shore" Mine is Shaw. I noticed nearly all of the burnings occured in Scotland. I wonder why they went for that so often? Keep in mind, Honeythorn, that your ancestors do not all share your current surname. Every women in your line had a maiden name, so you can also follow those names back. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gramayr Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 My eldest sons first name is Shaw, it's taken from his late granddad's surname and his mothers maiden name (an ex of mine) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jevne Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 My eldest sons first name is Shaw, it's taken from his late granddad's surname and his mothers maiden name (an ex of mine) "An ex of mine" gives the impression that she was one among many. :thinking: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloe Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I saw a few names I recognized from my family, I'll have to get ahold of my Aunt's genealogy records. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvira Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 (edited) My surname isn't there. The closest is "Shore" Mine is Shaw. I noticed nearly all of the burnings occured in Scotland. I wonder why they went for that so often? I think I can answer this question, As I understand it, ( and I cannot reference this, this is solely by my memory,) England always hung its (supposed) witches, women were only burned at the stake for murdering their husbands, ( petty treason), treason and heresy. Two reasons why the method of execution chosen was burning at the stake was because the catholic church forbade the spilling of blood and that the accused would have no body to go on into the afterlife. Source: http://home.comcast.net/~burokerl/burning_at_the_stake.htm I don't think the English were kinder in any way, in fact, I know we weren't. I can only assume at the moment it was down to the choice of whoever was king at the time. Hope this helps :) Elvira Edited November 3, 2011 by Elvira Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8people Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Saw one of my relatives on there, Grandma on my scottish sides' maiden name. Same name as a relative in the family tree my father constructed - unfotunately can't be fully certain as the number of common names meant nearly everyone had the same set of forenames and similar surnames as they were based on occupation and parental forenames! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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