Featherstone Society

 

Organization
The Featherstone Society was established in 1997 by a group of Featherstone descendants in England. Since that time, membership has expanded worldwide. Membership includes access to a private membership website, quarterly newsletter and research assistance. The quarterly newsletter can be obtained electronically or by a small increased subscription cost by ground mail.

The society is actively involved in research for a person who enjoyed the Featherstone surname or any of its variants. The society is currently headed by W. Paul Featherstone. Individuals wishing to join the society should [mailto:paul@featherstone.org contact him directly] or through the main society website.

Surname
The origin of the Featherstone surname extends back into early English history. Some say it originated with Helius (Elias) de Fetherstonhalgh in about 1202. Helius was influentlal landowner who created the symbol for his family with the image of a feather and a stone.

Spelling Variations
The Featherstone surname is found with a number of spelling variations. They commonly include: Featherstone, Featherston, Fetherstone, Fetherston, Featherstun, Featherstonehaugh, Featherstonhaugh and Fetherstonhaugh. Less frequent spellings include Fedderstan, de Fedderstanhalwe, de Fedderstanhalgh and many others.

Historical Family Home
The historical family home is commonly known today as the Featherstone Castle located a short distance south of the Scottish border in Northumberland. Over the centuries it has served as a family manor, estate headquarters and it has even housed a school. Today, it is privately owned and is frequently visited by descendants flocking to their ancestral home.

Genealogical Research
Numerous research projects are underway by members of the society including records in England, Wales, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland and the United States. Featherstone data found in the projects are listed on the Collected Records section of the primary Society website.

Additionally, the society owns or affiliates with a number of Featherstone descendant sites that include much of the research data found in the Collected Records section of the society website.


 * Featherstone Genealogy
 * Featherstone Society on MyHeritage
 * Featherstone Society on Tribal Pages
 * Featherstones in Southern England
 * Irish Feathersone Records on Family Pursuit
 * Featherstone on Guild of One-Name Studies

Additional records are found on various member genealogy blogs and sites:


 * FamHist Blog
 * Lineagekeeper's Genealogy - Featherstone

Projects
In addition to the Genealogical Research projects, the society is also involved in:


 * The Featherstone DNA project