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CLENDON family Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up my immediate family records?
How far back has the Clendon family been traced ?
The earliest recorded person called Clendon is Henry de Clendone who was alive in the reign of King John (1199-1216), but he is not a proven ancestor. He owned land at Clendon. Our earliest known ancestor is William Clendon. a tanner of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England. His will is dated 1524 at which time he was a grandfather. For me (Tom Clendon b.1963) this is sixteen generations back. Clendons lived in Northamptonshire for eight generations, many were vicars and attended Emmanuel College Cambridge. In the 18th Century there was a migration to Kent, England and subsequently to New Zealand, Australia, and the USA. The full history of the Clendon family has been written up in the book "The Clendons" - Five Hundred Years of the Clendon Family - An Illustrated History"
How do I look up my immediate family records?
First click on the familytree box (either above or on the home page). Then it is best to click on the "surname list". Then click on the relevant surname. Then click on the first name of the relevant person. You are now looking at their record. You will notice that the parent who is a direct descendant of George Clendon is highlighted as a hyperlink. Click on the parent to go up the generations, (by this process you can go all the way to our common ancestor George Clendon the pilot). Click on the child to go down the generations. For some there are photos to view by clicking on the photos hyperlink. Make liberal use of the back button to trace your way back!
If in doubt print out this page so you have some instructions to follow.
How do I notify updates to the records?
In what ever way is easiest for you. You can printout an update form for completion and sending off by post to 132 Brampton Road, St. Albans Herts England AL1 4PY,or you can e mail at webmaster@clendonfamilytree.org.uk or you can just write to me, or you can printout the relevant page from the web site and send me an annotated update.
What does the name Clendon mean?
| The family is named after the place called Clendon (now called Glendon) which is in Northamptonshire, England. The name Clendon has it origins in the Old English words "claenan dune" meaning clean hill, as in free from weeds.The place Clendon was mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086. Clendons lived in Northamptonshire for eight generations, many were vicars and attended Emmanuel College Cambridge. In the 18th Century there was a migration to Kent, England and subsequently to New Zealand, Australia, and the USA. The full history of the Clendon family is wrtten up in the book "The Clendons". - Five Hundred Years of the Clendon Family - An Illustrated History" | 
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Who is James Reddy Clendon (1802 - 1872)?
He was the son of George Clendon (1760/1 - 1839). James Reddy Clendon was a New Zealand pioneer, the first US consul to New Zealand, and a signatory to the treaty of Waitangi. He had 14 children and his descendants number over 1,000. For the most comprehensive and authoritative account of this illustrious pioneer to be published see the book "The Clendons - Five Hundred Years of the Clendon Family - An Illustrated History" part four is entitled "On the trail of James Reddy Clendon".
| Here is a copy of his hand writing (click to enlarge) |  |
Who is George Clendon (1760/1 - 1839) cinque port pilot?
For the purposes of this family tree George Clendon is our common ancestor. He was a cinque port pilot, navigating ships in the English Channel. He was from the county of Kent, England. He was twice married, latterly to Elizabeth Chitty. He had fourteen children including the New Zealand pioneer James Reddy Clendon. This was the first of three Clendon and Chitty marriages. George had an interesting life which included being taken a prisoner of war by the French. From a humble background he established himself to be a wealthy man. His life story is included in the book "The Clendons - Five Hundred Years of the Clendon Family - An Illustrated History"
Can I still obtain a copy of the book "The Clendons"?
Yes! Copies can be ordered from bookshops - ISBN 1 901394 09 3 Author Ryland Clendon, - but all stocks are held are held by the author, my father and his New Zealand agent, both of whom can be contacted at webmaster@clendonfamilytree.org.uk Discount given all web orders!!
Book Reviews of "The Clendons, Five Hundred Years of the Clendon Family, An Illustrated History"
"Clendon is an unusual name. It will not be found in the pages of national history, nor in the Dictionary of National Biography, nor, for that matter, in most telephone directories. A line of Northamptonshire craftsmen and small farmers gave rise to a succession of country clergymen, after which the stock took off in many directions. As with the biblical grain of mustard seed, a large tree has grown, and has spread its branches in North America and New Zealand as well as England. How this family history came to be written is an interesting story in itself. Over a full century, members of the Clendon and related families wrote their own history, through generational memory, through correspondence, as well as by penetrating the archives. Ryland Clendon has drawn all this together in a splendid tribute to a remarkable, if unsung, family."
Patrick Collinson CBE FBA,
Regius Professor of Modern History, Emeritus, University of Cambridge.
"This beautifully produced book almost makes one wish that ones name was Clendon in order to benefit from it. The original research was done by earlier Clendon and Chitty family members and the Clendon side developed by Ryland Clendon, the author of this work... There are photographs and maps, anecdotes and letters, history and sentiment all recorded here, together with a separate, elegant family tree of the Clendons from 1524 to 1998."
Family History Magazine, November 1998.
"Thank you for your kindness in sending me a copy of your book. It is handsomely produced and immediately attractive, and I have enjoyed reading it. I will show it to my Names Project Group this afternoon as a good example of what a family history ought to be. It conveys a strong sense of the excitement of discovery - amongst the documents and in visiting places. The international context of the family’s story makes it all the more enjoyable... It makes a good read, a good human story."
David Hey PhD FRHistS, Professor of Local and Family History, University of Sheffield. Author: The Oxford Guide to Family History.
"An outstanding feature of this family history is the volume of illustrative material gathered together by the author which together with the accumulated data and story of the family included in this volume, will create a feeling of envy in most family historians. The book was pleasing to read, both in regard to content and presentation...if you are contemplating writing up and publishing your own family history, read this book first. It is an excellent example."
Genealogists Magazine, Journal of the Society of Genealogists, London, June 1998.
