Well, here we are again at another "READ ME FIRST" page, and happily this one is better than the last. We do, however, need to discuss a few things, like:
 

    RESEARCH

Needless to say, I put a lot of work into this site. Constant updates (to make it more interesting to you), writing articles, and research of more Dudley's for the Database. THIS TAKES A LOT OF MY TIME.
    I would think most people would respect that (or at least understand it), and yet I still get email asking where the "so-and-so" article or info is that I promised. Remember one thing--IF I PROMISE IT, YOU WILL GET IT. But sometimes it takes time.

Additionally, I started this site for MY OWN research, and it has NOT helped me. This is NOT a complaint, just a statement of fact. I put in at least 2 hours a week on just maintaining the site, another 2 hours in research for it, and another 2 in writing, updating, scanning etc etc. Sometimes I get things wrong. I do NOT mind being told that. Especially if YOU can back up your "truth." Many long time users of the site know this, and I HAVE changed some of the articles when it was pointed out, gracefully, what the problem was and the fix. No problem. Just don't go crying, whining, or screaming on my Guest book that I am a idiot--as some actually have. I am human--as my wife reminds me of constantly!
 

    HELP!

I could use some help. I really need some additional, verifiable, GEDCOMS to add to the database. HOWEVER, to make sure we have the most accurate info available, I could use Xerox's of all the HARD data you have. That means Birth cert., parish records, etc. of the people you have. IF YOU HAVE A GEDCOM YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO DONATE, EMAIL ME FIRST--BEFORE YOU SEND IT! Do NOT just send it as an attachment to THIS email address. The address here at the site is TEXT ONLY. I will give you a good HTML and MIME address for this.
 

    GOV. THOMAS DUDLEY

In addition--I sometimes get email (some of it very forceful) concerning the lineage of Gov. Thomas Dudley. I AM NOT A DESCENDANT of his. Therefore, any opinions on this lineage was made by research which is ongoing. I AM FULLY AWARE OF THE (CURRENTLY) THREE THEORIES OF HIS ANCESTRY.
    One of the problems about genealogy is that we are HERE in this time, they lived THERE in that time and some of the information is lost--maybe forever! There are many avenues at arriving at an intelligent guess-- wills, deeds, Heraldry, and Parish records. These must ALL be consulted before a decision is made. This has been done for Gov. Thomas Dudley for decades, and NO one has arrived at a VERIFIABLE solution yet.

IT IS NOT, REPEAT NOT, THE PURPOSE OF THIS SITE TO VERIFY ANY LINEAGE FOR GOV. THOMAS DUDLEY. Do NOT email me telling me what I NEED to do to fix this. OVER 100 YEARS OF RESEARCH HAS NOT DONE IT....and I doubt if its going to be solved soon. One thing I DO know, and that is MY OPINION OF IT IS AS GOOD AS YOURS!!! And neither can be proven. Should something verifiable come down the pipe, I assure you that I will add it.

I am not holding my breath.

    But please remember IT'S OK TO DISAGREE. But let's do it as Ladies and Gentlemen.

PS: I do NOT respond to rude email.

Where do you get your information for the database?
FIRST, the "History of the Dudley Family" by Dean Dudley, serves as the BASE for the info. It does NOT stop there, however. I use "Living Descendants of Blood Royal", "Pioneer Families of Franklin Co, Va", and "Plantagenout Ancestry" and NUMEROUS other books as correctors for Mr. Dudley's monumental work. Also, I receive corrections and additions from the Mormon IGI (when THAT can be confirmed) and family bibles from other people. In addition, I have also dipped into the Parish Registers of Bedfordshire and other "shires" to correct and confirm dates.

But Dean Dudley HAS ERRORS!!!
Yes, I know. That is why I use other books for corrections and confirmations! NOTE: the "other" books have known errors also!

Do you REALLY check the information on the Database, or do you just add it?
I usually spend about one hour checking other sources for every hour spent adding the names. YES....it is really checked. Even so, errors DO slip in. YOU WILL ALWAYS know when an error is there, because I ALWAYS admit it in the next months update.

Are YOU the largest site with Dudley's?
As far as I know, yes. I know of NO other site with as much info on our name as this one.

Since you call yourself the DUDLEY Home Page, don't you have a responsibility to take a stand on Gov Thomas?
NO! As I stated above, I am NOT of his line. Controversy over his lineage goes back decades, and ALL the experts do NOT agree. If they can't, why should I add my opinion into the muddle. I do NOT know his ancestry, and NEITHER do YOU! Let's let it go at that.......

I wrote email to you a week ago, and you NEVER answered me!
I do apologize.......but this site generates about 25 emails per week. I do answer them, but occasionally I just get to busy and it takes some time. Should you not get an answer within one week, email me again!

I wrote an article on ??????? Dudley, and think its pretty good. Could you use it?
SURE! I am ALWAYS looking for good articles on ANY Dudley subject! Simple send it email to me......should you have an accompanying picture, send it to the address on the front page (not the one below, it is ONLY text). As always, should I use your article, you will be given FULL credit! See some of the "Dudley People of note" and you will see that I DO give the credit!

Are you REALLY a "Rev."?
Yes I am. I am an ordained minister in the Anglican Church (Traditional Episcopal). I hold a B.S. degree from the University of Maryland in History, and a Master of Arts degree in Religion from St. George's Seminary, Wolsey Hall, Oxford.


But sometimes your spelling SUCKS!
It sure does, doesn't it!!!!! Well, that's because my HTML editor does NOT have a spell check!!!!!! I make NO claims to be an English Teacher! My full time day job is History Teacher at St. Francis Academy for Girls in San Antonio........How many History Teachers do you REALLY know who can spell! (hehehehehehehe---its TRUE!)

NOW return to the site and enjoy yourself. Feel free to email me with questions, comments, and PLEASE, if you have a verifiable GEDCOM file to offer, then please offer it--but email me first for the Email address to send it!
Gary!