My Main Interest is the name RYE.
I have been working on the name for over 40 years, and effectively run a "One Name" study on the name.
This name occurs in the United Kingdom in several distinct groups, as can be seen from the following drawing which shows the tight grouping which still existed in 1881.
You will see that the largest grouping of RYEs is in the county of Kent, with another strong group in Nofolk. In the County of Kent there are several groups which at the present state of research do not amalgamate. I am descended fron one of the 3 big groups in the East of the county. At present I have a solid well documented family tree going back to John Rye who lived from 1767 to 1790 in a house in Patrixbourne that still exists.
I am in contact with quite a number of other people researching RYEs,including some in Australia and New Zealand. Ken Rye who is descended from one of the other East Kent branches also has a good RYE web site. Link to Ken Rye website
I am a member of Kent Family History Society and would recommend any one with Family History interests in Kent to Join. There is a good members magazine, a good members mail list, and the society has been extremely active in transcribing records, and making them available to purchase on Microfiche and CDs. Link to KFHS website for further information
I hold several computer databases on the RYE's including :-
I also have an extensive card index of RYE entries extracted from earlier records, and a good collection on RYE emigration.
I also have a limited interest in the following other surnames :-
Last Revised 29 January 2015