JEPHCOTT

SOCIETY

Our Formation and Constitution

The Beginning

I started my personal research into my Jephcott ancestry in 1981. As part of this research, I discovered other people who were also keen on discovering more about this particular family. I was accepted as a member of the Guild of One-Name Studies.

In 1983, with the encouragement of various interested persons, I formed what is known as a 'one name society' which was entitled 'The Jephcott Society'. A newsletter was put together, a mailing list of all interested persons formulated and the letters were sent out to around forty people. There was a good response from people and they showed interest in receiving further information.

With the aid of donated society funds, I sent out many introductory letters, to the Jephcotts (and then later Jephcotes, Jeffcoats, etc.) that were listed in telephone directories for the country. Word got around slowly and replies started to come-in in a steady stream. The information received was collated into a workable system.

I was persuaded that it would be a good idea to arrange a gathering of the clan and the first was held in the village of Shilton near Coventry. With the assistance of press coverage, the affair went off very well. We have since had another four gatherings at various locations.

Over the next few years, I kept up with what research was possible and a book was commenced, which was eventually published in 1991.

From 1983, for a span of five years, a total of twenty newsletters were compiled and sent out. After that, I reverted to an annual newsletter, which is currently being sent to around 150 people worldwide.

Our Constitution

The Jephcott Society is a non profit making organisation whose principal aim is to further the genealogical knowledge of the Jephcott family and its recognised surname variants.

It is operated by Jess Arthur Jephcott who acts as President. It has no other officers. The finances of the society are recorded in full and these records are open for inspection by any person who has contributed financially to the society in the past.

Our Degree of Commitment

As a category 'B' member of the Guild of One-Name Studies, I am designated as 'a Guild member who researches and collects all references to a specified surname and has accumulated a substantial body of worldwide data over a period of years. The member may or may not produce a newsletter.'

As a member of the Guild of One-Name Studies, I am required to deal with all reply-paid enquiries which relate to my registered surnames. The Jephcott Society is the name under which I operate and as its self styled President of the Jephcott Society, I further commit myself to the following more specific responsibilities:

a) to receive and respond to all reply paid enquiries concerning the Jephcott name and its recognised variants, in as complete a manner as possible. This includes, where desirable and appropriate, putting the enquirer in touch with others, or others in touch with the enquirer.

b) to compile and publish an annual news sheet for distribution to interested persons, giving news of research breakthroughs, general items of interest, etc. The funding of the publication and postage being reliant upon voluntary donations and personal expense, where possible.

c) to continue to pursue my own research into the surname in as complete a manner as possible. In this context, the availability of free time, difficulties of accessibility of records, cost implications and other constraints are taken into consideration.

d) to endeavour to publish or otherwise reproduce my research material and, where possible, to acknowledge the source of information so as not to take credit for the work of others. This reproduced material then to be made available interested persons.

e) to respect the sensitivity or confidentiality of certain material and to not make such information available to others, without consultation where necessary.

f) to organise from time to time a gathering of the clan, to bring together interested persons for discussion, viewing of research material, display of family documents and memorabilia, etc.

g) in the event of a termination of my interest in, or involvement with, this genealogical research, to ensure that any and all accumulated records of interest to others of my surname and its variants, are deposited with a recognised record repository for the continued use of others.

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last updated

17th June 2004