Dear Eardley Family Member,
This year has been an outstanding one for our extended family. Next year holds out the promise for even more exciting developments. However, let us begin by drawing together the strands of our current achievements.
Recently, as regular visitors will be aware, we topped the 90,000 'hit' milestone. If any other 'Single Family' website has more support than we have, then I for one would be amazed. Next year should see us break the magic 100,000 visitor mark and that will indeed be something to celebrate.
There is now sufficient material on our site to enable anyone in the world who claims an Eardley Connection to track down his/her origins at least to 1837 (the first official census) and with a little more detective work to finally go right back 'home' to the original Audley Families.
Most communities nowadays offer classes in Family History .For those of you who have the time, the opportunity and the desire you will be entering a genealogical 'Palace of Possibilities. 'Hundreds of thousands throughout the world are now engrossed in this 'new passion,' especially now that the census information is available online.
We are fortunate indeed to have such a treasure trove of Eardley data at our disposal---- and it's free! A special thank you is extended to Jack without whose continued support we should all still be peering into Genealogical Darkness.
At this time of year our thoughts focus on family. Some of us will have lost a loved one or will be remembering special people this Christmas. Please be assured that great strength can be drawn from our collective kind thoughts and prayers. We are all travelers on this River of Life' whose mysteries are not yet fully revealed.
Christmas presents us all with great opportunities for reconciliation. There is scarcely a family on earth which is entirely at peace with itself. When we look at the origins of 'problems' within our own group they are often almost laughable. So and so didn't speak to me last year or Bill forgot to invite me to the wedding, etc, etc, etc. It's my experience that most people want to kiss and make up. Making the first move quietly and tactfully is the secret. The result may not be immediate but often your gesture will be the start of an emotional thaw. If anyone does have a positive result this Christmas and if you are comfortable with it you may wish to at let us know in your own way. The exhilaration of reconciliation is one of the greatest emotions known to mankind. Sorry to seem to be wearing my philosopher's hat this year. I had not intended it at all. Somehow it just happened.
The first part of the year was spent organizing the Tapestry Event. This was a great success. Frank Eardley from Walsall is to be congratulated for his input and for organizing the subsequent trip to London, Plymouth, and Cambridge. Everyone really enjoyed every minute. We did experience some satisfaction to see that 'George's ship had beaten the 'Mayflower' to America by 13 years. Later in the year when we visited 'Flowerdew' it was obvious that for Virginians the Mayflower is unmentionable. It is one of those quirks of history that the unmentionable ship took most of the glory. Until now. The year 2007 will mark the quadcentenary of the founding of British North America. God willing- we hope to play a full part in the celebrations. Huge preparations are under way on both sides of the 'pond'. As relatives of the first Royal Governor of 'America' we can feel especially involved in the entire event. Next year our special project will be to have as many Eardleys as possible at Flowerdew on August 24th. Details of our progress in this regard will be posted as and when appropriate.
Many Yeardleys/Yardleys/Eardleys will take great pride in the knowledge that George's brother Ralph was indeed the founder of the first great perfume company in the world----'Yardley of London'.Charles1 who eventually literally lost his head, needed some ready cash. He had abolished Parliament so it couldn't grant him any. Enter Ralph! For 20,000 pounds the king granted him the monopoly for soap making and distribution for the whole of London. This made Ralph one of the richest men in England. The year was 1620, the year after George had been Knighted by that same Charles1. So now we have George making the equivalent of millions in today's money from Tobacco and Ralph coining it from soap. Interesting to note that Yardley have kept the Royal Patronage all these years. The late Queen Mother 's favourite was Yardley Lavender.
Eardleys will be interested to hear that very soon Jack will be setting up a 'sister 'website Eardleyfactor.com. As many of you will already be aware, Jack has a distinguished background in Psychiatry. Mine is in education. Between us we have more than seventy years interacting with people. Over the years we have evolved a working hypothesis concerning human behaviour with particular emphasis on how the mind responds to sensory stimuli. The model, which is proven beyond doubt to our satisfaction in the widest range of' real world' situations is, we feel, particularly applicable to the realm of Marketing and Advertising.
The concept, which will be known as ' The Eardley Factor' carries with it the capability of rewriting current marketing theory and practice. It's impact would be enormous. Those of you who have an interest or are merely curious can read an outline of our ideas on the new website which will be up and running very soon.
In the meantime, we wish every Eardley wherever you may be the Happiest Christmas of your life and the most serene and prosperous New Year ever!!!!
May God Bless You and Your Family.
Robert F. Eardley
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