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Hi, I see the website is full of great information. Well laid out and easy to view. Job well done Percys!

Thanks Karen.

I have been reading a double spread interesting article on your family in today's Evening Standard in London concerning the Earldom of Northumberland. I too am a direct descendant of the Emperor Charlemagne who I believe was crowned on Christmas day 800. However I don't see that matching my DNA with his will give me a claim to anything as most titles are passed down the male line. However your claim to Northumberland is a different matter. Best Wishes, Mark

Thank you for your best wishes Mark.

There are any number of false claims to historical titles - and significantly, money - most are either fraudulent or simply fanciful. This is one of them.

We thank you for your comments John. Although we do respectfully disagree with you, and if you were to read the website contents with more care you would see that our underlying motive in this case is to prove once and for all if the 'family stories' are true or indeed fiction. We simply ask to be given the opportunity to prove them to be one way or the other through indisputable DNA analysis, and if proven to be 'simply fanciful' to use your expression then we would take the findings with grace, along with the brick bats, and move on with our lives. All we ask is for the opportunity to do so.

We too read the article in yesterday's Evening Standard - very interesting. We have been to Percy in northern France and also to Alnwick Castle some years back, where by virtue of our name we were given a quick showing late in the day of some of the family history in a closed off to the public area. I am from a Cornish branch of the Percys - my late father was Vivian Fortescue Bickle Percy born in 1923 and his father was Thomas Bickle Percy who started a business: TB Percy Essence of Rennet (used to make junkets). I now have in my possession a family bible with further background details if you are interested. There are also Percys in and around the Southhampton area - and we even met a Sue Percy from the West London area at a dinner party but we could not work out whether we were actually related - the name is not that rare as we all know. We wish you luck with your research and endeavours. It is a long held ambition of ours to visit New Zealand so you never know ...... Mike and Sue Percy Worcester Park Surrey KT4 8SR

Hello and thank you for the information. We would love to see the names in your Bible and even go as far as to suggest that you contact Brian Piercy of the Percy-Piercy Family History Society in the UK. He has some excellent records and may be able to better connect the dots as it were.  We would love to meet if you ever venture out to our side of the world. Who knows we may even call on you some day. Warmest regards Bridget

We are members of the Belgian Percy family. We are linked to Thomas, 7th earl, who was beheaded. His wife moved from England to Antwerp with their son, our ancestor, also a subject for controversy and claims. Thanks for reviving the family story.

Greetings from New Zealand.  This is indeed an ongoing story of controversy at every turn that only adds to the intrigue!

Most interesting to read your endeavours. Unsure whether I come from nobility or just a simple warrior clan, though I know we have a family tree that goes back more than 1000yrs and traces our lineage to the Sun dynasty, coupled with a historian that we subside through the centuries. You have an fascinating case, with several hurdles in your paths - with your local geography - could this be Tolkien's L O T R, part 3 Rtn of the K?

I was fascinated to read the article in this Saturday's Dominion Post. Over the years, Dad, Ken Percy spoke of the historical links and possible mis-doings, and it's exciting to see the huge progress you have made towards clarifying the details. Please let me know how I can support your work. Adrienne Percy

Hello Adrienne, thanks for the support. I have removed your email details above for your security and have put these on file and we will certainly get back to you if we need anything. It would be great if you could let all of your family know what we are attempting to do. Kevin has spent hours on the phone trying to contact as many of the NZ family so the word could get out to them, so any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance Bridget P

Hi, i'm very interested in what Kevin is doing. Can you please name Arther Cameron Percy's four brothers? kind regards, Scott

Hello Scott, they were Kenneth, Roderick and Ian. Arther was the fourth and oldest brother. He was also called Bill. There is a photo of them under the section called Photo Gallery in Graeme's Book Normandy to New Zealand which also features as part of this web site.

I too read the great story in Saturday's Dominion and have since spent hours reading your website. I am a 3xgr grand-daughter of Henry James Percy b1833 (the Wairarapa Percy's), and find it exciting and fascinating. It does read better than a Dan Brown novel!! Well done to your side of the family for your patience and continued efforts in righting the wrong. Please let us know if there is any help we may be able to give you. Best wishes Bronwyn Jensen

Hi Bronwyn, thanks for your words of support. There is an interesting section on your family in Graeme's book 'Normandy to New Zealand' and photographs which are included at the end of this website. I have removed your email details you provided for your security but have put these on record.  I'm sure we will be in touch again. Warmest regards Bridget.

This story has taken many of hundreds of years to surface. The foundations of our amazing Percy Family has no equal in the the history of the last 700 years and even further before. I too have been working on the history of the family and have come to a very similar conclusion on many fronts. Great work!

Hello Charles, have we missed anything that you have uncovered? We would love to swap notes. Warmest regards Bridget Percy.

There is another dimension to this saga and many more interesting stories to be told. Some years ago an old woman in Alnwick said to me "when the final truth was told, the fields would fold back and there would be gold for all the people" best wishes Charles Percy

Thank you for that information. Roderick was my Grandad.Murray Roderick Percy is my Father.it's good to finally find out some stuff about my Family and where they come from.i will keep in touch.Scott

Pleased we could help Scott. Did you have a look at the photo gallery?  Warmest regards Bridget

Dear Bridget, Kevin et al. What a fascinating story and I wish you well with the outcome. I now have a plausible reason as to why so many Purseys are called Thomas! As you can see by the spelling of my name, I hail from the Somerzet clan(s) which in my small-scale researches all seem to be related in some way or another! The St Mary Magadalene crowd were definitely the rich relatives - my forebears come from Pitminster, Trull and Taunton St James. If your researches did touch on the rural relatives (1750 - 1850), I'd be hugely interested to hear - as they are quite adept at keeping an annoyingly low profile! Wishing you well in your quest Nic

Hello Nic, thanks for making contact. I don't recall any rural relatives and all search records are given under the section Di Clements Searches. I will let you know if we have anything of interest.  B

What a marvellous achievement your work is and the website a delight to read. I am an amateur genealogist and your site is of interest to me as my great-aunts (2 sisters) Catherine and Ellen Killery married Alfred & Joseph (2 brothers) Percy (Wairarapa NZ Branch). I have dates, photos, etc if that is of interest to you. It was great to see photos of the houses, etc many of which I recall my grandmother talking about and, having grown up in Petone, the reserve and local history was part of my upbringing. With thanks for sharing all your information - regards, Joan.

Hello Joan, thanks for the post. Were you at the family renuion? Some of the family were actually able to visit some of the old family homes in the Wairarapa as part of a reunion tour. It amazes me that there are so many Percys in this part of the country. There is quite a lot of information about your branch of the family in Graeme's book which is posted at the end of the website. It may be of interest to you. Warmest regards Bridget Percy, Pahiatua

My maternal grandmother Nina Acton was the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Ann Smith nee Percy. Nina was married at age 26 to Harry Acton and there were two brothers, Rolf and Arthur, and a sister, Lily, my mother. Your website has totally engaged my interest. As a child of about 11-12, my mother often took me to St.Albans in Christchurch where Nina's three spinster sisters lived in Cleveland St. Nance, Blanche and Lil often spoke to me about the lineage of the Percys back to the Duke of Northumberland, and gave me a small print showing the Gateway to Alnwick Castle. The text reads "Held by the Percys in 1309 but long before this an important border stronghold. Gateway dates 1350 and Norman arch built in the middle of the 12th century. Note the wheels of the old well from which the garrison used to draw their water." Its all absolutely fascinating and your work to find DNA proof is to be congratulated. I wish you well in your endeavours and perhaps, who knows, we all might benefit from your determination to get answers. Would there be some way in which I could maybe help you?

Thanks Nola, we appricate your support and comments. We wil certainly get in contact if there is anything we think of. Warmest regards Bridget

Hello, I am a descendent of various James and Robert Percy's in the Beverley area and actually now live in a village which the Percy's once held the title of Lords of the Manor for. Our clock tower is dedicated to the memory of the 3rd Earl of Beverley. I've also taken part in an on-going DNA test of Percy's and Pierce's across the world - its very interesting. Is there anyway of getting in contact with somebody from this site as I would like to discuss some other issues in more detail. Regards

Hello Andrew, that is very interesting! Please feel free to contact me directly on bcpercy@xtra.co.nz. I look forward to chatting with you soon.  regards Bridget Percy

I am a genealogist in Australia and I came across your claim to the Earldom of Northumberland in the British tabloids. I have a lot of ancestors in Somerset - especially in and around Taunton. I even spent a year in England (and Taunton) conducting my own genealogical research. The name Pursey (as Garter pointed out in his letters) is quite common in this area, so you will need to be careful not to 'claim' the wrong link in the chain. If you claim the Edward born in 1692/3 as your ancestor, you will have to give up your claim to the Earldom because this person was illegitimate. Under peerage law no illegitimate offspring can succeed to a hereditary title or lands entailed with the said title. Just wondered if you had considered this? Good luck with your quest.

I must apologise for the delay in replying to your post.

We are aware that there may be problems with illegitimate claimants but there are precedents for hope. If it is proven without doubt (yDNA analyses) that the base born Edward and his New Zealand descendants today carry the 'claimed extinct' Louvain-Percy male DNA and that a 17th Century conspiracy of powerful vested interests rendered the old male DNA extinct, then I am sure that Parliament would not risk becoming complicit in this extinction which includes Louvain-Percy male rights of descent. 

First things first, however, we must prove that a past Percy wife has not 'jumped the fence' and terminated the old male DNA.

Brenden if you could venture a confidential comparison genealogically on Garters last letter advising  "not proven" and my reply outlining Di Clement's findings it would be appreciated.

Many thanks for your interest

Kevin P

Hi there, Very interesting website. I look forward to hearing more about your claims. I was wondering if you could put me in touch with one of the other people that posted - Mike Percy of Worcester Park. My great great grandfather James Percy was Thomas Bickle Percy's brother. I guess it is my family that Mike's referring to in the Southampton area - we've had connections with the Hythe-So'ton ferry since the 1880s, although I'm now living in NZ. Good luck with your further research. Cheers Tom

HelloTom, unfortunately I do not have his email address, however, if you are happy to post yours here I'm sure he or someone from hi sfamily will get in touch. Warmest regards

Bridget

Just found this fantastic website. AW Renall and Eliza Percy are my 3x Great-Grandparents. The photo gallery is wonderful. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavour to prove the family line. Regards Jane

Hello there. I'm too a belgian Percy who lives in Aarschot (a place well known for Belgian Percy's). I'm studying the flemish line now for a while but I couldn't find the right evidence that there was a late son born (a certain John Percy) from Thomas Percy, the 7th Earl of Northumberland. The evidence is probably in the letters of Anna Somerset too the Spanish Netherlands. These could be found in the archives in Brussels (lettres de Pay-Bas).