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The more you look into the
East of England, the more you learn about the region's
strong links with the United States of America.
Stansted, Gateway to the
East of England. From 28 October, American's
daily flight will take you literally back to the roots
of many of the families that set sail for the New World,
400 years ago.
In March, the schedule goes
to double daily, enabling even more of you to slip into
the UK through a really user friendly gateway. For those
interested in genealogy, there's plenty to see and do.
Families will benefit because a few miles west of
Stansted they'll find the spy capital of Britain.
American Connections in
Essex The ancient Essex ship quays on the banks of
the Thames played a vital part in the early history of
the New World. To commemorate the 400th anniversary of
the foundation of Jamestown, Virginia, the first English
settlement, Essex County Council has produced a new
leaflet celebrating the connections formed with America
during its young history.
 Back
in the 17th century, Essex was a strong recruiting
ground for the Colonies. Descendants from many of the
county's families particularly those originating in
Dedham, Chelmsford and Braintree are instantly
recognizable. The Sherman family traced its descendants
as founders of Rhode Island, while another was General W
T Sherman of the American Civil War. Braintree produced
John Adams, the second president and his son who became
the sixth. Presidential connections are found in
Purleigh where Lawrence, the great-great grandfather of
the first American president, George Washington, was a
minister during the mid-1660s. Lawrence is buried in
Maldon's All Saints Church.
Ancestors of the present
Bush family can be found at Messing and Feering from the
14th century thanks to Reynold Bush who emigrated during
the 1630s, possibly on The Lyon. Essex is proud of its
many links with the USA and with American Airlines' new
flight between New York and Stansted (starts 29
October), you can now develop a fascinating 'Back to
your Roots' tour before heading into London.
Norfolk's Links With....
John Rolfe and
Pocahontas. John Rolfe was baptized in the font in
Heacham Church, Norfolk in 1585. The font is still in
use today. He fell in love with native American
Princess, Pocahontas, when she was held hostage in
Jamestown. Their marriage ensured peace between the
native Americans and settlers. John and Pocahontas
sailed to England in 1616. Pocahontas was presented at
Court. She died just before their planned return to
America in 1617 and was buried at Gravesend in Kent.
Thomas Rolfe, son of John and Pocahontas, was brought up
at Heacham Hall (little of the original building is
left) by his Uncle Henry. He left for Virginia aged 25.
His granddaughter married Robert Bolling. Several
Virginian families claim descent from this marriage.
And World War II The US
8th Army Air Force arrived in Norfolk in 1942 and
flew from 18 Norfolk air fields. Their arrival had an
immediate effect on the East Anglian scene and was known
as the 'friendly invasion'. The majority of the
airfields were in the southern half of the county and
all had a similar layout. Each of the airfields was
designed to be home for approximately 3,000 USAAF airmen
and their machines. The planes used by the Bombardment
Groups were the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-24
Liberator, both of which carried nine or ten crew.
Their USAAF's presence in
Norfolk is commemorated at several locations including
the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library at The Forum in
Norwich, City of Norwich Aviation Museum, 100th Bomb
Group Memorial Museum, Thorpe Abbotts, 93rd Bomb Group
Museum Hardwick and 448th Bomb Group Collection,
Seething.
 The
Spy Capital of Britain 'Somewhere in England' -
picture a slumbering county town during WWII, awakened
by the sudden influx of young American airmen from
surrounding airbases, spending their money and their
liberty time and making a huge impact on the town and
quiet villages. Now imagine their daily entertainment
provided by the stars of the day, courtesy of the BBC.
Take a closer look, there's much more to the scene than
first meets the eye; more than you can see in the air,
or on the ground. An 'underground world' of secret
activities from black propaganda in the heart of a
duke's estate, to code-breaking, radio surveillance and
spy training, secret airfields disguised as farms, where
moonlight squadrons set off on their daring missions
into occupied Europe. Somewhere in England-where?
Bedfordshire, 'Spy Capital of Britain' - read the book
then visit the places.
Contact
sales@britishcountrytours.com for additional
information.
www.BritishCountryTours.com
(Picture Credit: BHT)
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