"Whatever their reasons for leaving England - a combination that differed with each individual and without any awareness of it, these ordinary men and women had together performed the most daring and portentous act of modern history when they succeeded in planting a new nation where none before had stood.”
Vexed and Troubled Englishmen 1590-1642 by Carl Bridenbaugh
Introduction
The focus of this project is Anthony Hoskins who migrated to America as a part of the Great Puritan Migration in the 1600's. Like many of these migrating individuals, he became the progenitor of numerous descendants that subsequently spread across the United States and Canada.
This project attempts to communicate the results of my ongoing investigation into the origins and the life of this early settler. In addition, it is hoped that this information will be interesting to other descendants, and inspire them to either collaborate within this project, or leverage parts of this project to aid their own research.
Project Goals
To facilitate an increased understanding of the life and direct male line heritage of Anthony Hoskins, whose origins were in England, lived in Windsor, Connecticut; and died there in 1707. His many North American descendants have names such as Hoskins, Haskins, Haskin, Hoskin and other allied family names. This site also provides a forum for discussing theories about his life and ancestry.
Site Overview
This site is divided into sections based on the types of data gathered in my research. Whenever possible, hyperlinks are included to provide expanded content. The DNA section highlights research into the Anthony Hoskins DNA signature and its meaning. In the history area, facts are listed that directly add to or provide context for my research and speculation. Surname information is another source that feeds the theory. Finally, sections on Wales and Dorset describe the geographical setting for topics discussed. Maps and pictures are included in an effort to provide " a visual sense" and an orientation to these locations.
At the beginning of each section, quotes highlight the tone for the area. Finally, a bibliography along with interesting supplemental documents, which can be viewed or downloaded, are located at the end. This site is a "work in progress" that will be updated as my research continues. The current status of the project can be viewed in the Conclusion Section. Any comments or additional insights/opinions are always welcome whether via the discussion forum or direct e-mail.
(Note: To access the various project sections, use the blue Navigation links located at the top left .)
New England 1676
Project Background:
When I was thirty, I read the obituary of my great grandfather, Seth Haskins. It stated that his ancestors came from Wales in 1650. I thought to myself: "Is this really true, or is this just a story that sounded good for the newspapers? How do they know this? After all, 1650 was a very long time ago........"
Twenty years later, I decided to find out if it was true. Luckily advances in technology had provided a new tool to help answer my questions. This new tool is called genealogical DNA testing. The information from this DNA testing along with historical research are contained in the following pages, and they tell the story ........
Robert J. Haskins
Anthony Hoskins Facts:
Lived in the puritan settlement of Windsor, Connecticut
Was made a Freeman in 1654
Married Isabel Brown July 16th, 1656
Had nine children
Lived south of Little River (near present railroad station.)
Was a Trooper in The King Phillip's War
Died at Windsor, CT. in 1707
Est. inventory at death: £984
Progenitor of many American descendants with the names: Hoskins, Haskins, Haskin, Hoskin and other allied family names.
Seventh great-grandfather of Robert Haskins
Anthony Hoskins' Y-DNA was I1 (based on descent to Robert Haskins)
Speculation/Theory
Based on my research over the last several years, which includes DNA analysis and historical readings, indications are that Anthony Hoskins’ family lived in the Beaminster, Dorset area prior to their American migration in the early 1600’s. Although related Hoskins families lived in the area for over a hundred years, Anthony's family had only migrated to Dorset during the last several generations.
Prior to living in Dorset, the family lived in the border area between England and Wales. More specifically, they lived in the Southwestern part of Herefordshire. This area was called Ergyng and became an English administrative cantref sometime before the Norman Conquest.
Ergyng became a wasteland during the dislocation caused by the Norman invasion. The Normans then filled this void under the leadership of William FitzOsbern. It is my speculation that during this time, Anthony Hoskins’ direct line male ancestor arrived in the Monmouthshire/Herefordshire area within the Welsh Marches as a part of this Norman influx.
This theory is supported by Anthony Hoskins’ Y-DNA being classified as a member of the I1 Haplogroup. According to current scientific understanding, this haplogroup did not originate in the British Isles, but rather in southern Denmark around 6000 years ago. In addition, Anthony’s specific haplotype was still located in that area around 500 AD based on close matches found in Denmark during modern times. Therefore, this match indicates that Anthony Hoskins' male ancestor was still living on the Jutland peninsula around 500 AD.
The best explanation for the facts above is a direct line male ancestor migrating from Southern Denmark as a part of the Viking incursions into Normandy, which were started by Rollo in 885 AD. After residing in Normandy for several generations, an ancestor migrated from Normandy into the Welsh Marches mentioned above.
Obviously, written genealogical documentation concerning the majority of this theory does not exist. However, in the last ten years, DNA research has provided a tool that was not previously available to historians or family researchers. This tool allows deeper insight into family histories than could have been imagined until only recently. As more information and discoveries about the migration of Y-DNA through Europe are made, the probability of this theory will either decrease or increase. This site will monitor new developments and will post these discoveries along with modifications to this theory.
An American's Motivation and a new Technology
For many Americans, there is a gap in our family’s history and heritage. This void has been created by the passing of many years since our families migrated across the ocean. During these long intervals, which can be several hundreds of years, information on family heritage and specifics about origins have been lost.
This gap has teased Americans as we attempt to address our natural curiosity about our origins. In the past, American genealogists have spent tremendous amounts of time and energy researching family histories. Frequently, these histories end with the oldest place of origin being England. This open ended origin leaves no sense for where in the country the ancestors lived. When there are attempts to extend the search further to find out more information, the effort usually falls short due to issues with distance and availability of records.
Within the last ten years, an amazing new tool has become available which can open these previously closed doors; this new tool is DNA analysis. Bryan Sykes, a Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Oxford, has been one of the leaders in utilizing this new tool to expand the understanding of human history. Professor Sykes used this tool to research his own family’s origins in Yorkshire and discovered that approximately fifty percent of the males named Sykes from this area descended from a common male ancestor including himself.
The ability to accomplish this type of research stems from the nature of the Y chromosome which is only carried by men. This genetic component is passed from father to son just like a surname. Harmless mutations occur to this chromosome over extended periods of time creating identifiable mutation patterns or signatures. These signatures are shared by male descendants of a direct linage male ancestor and can be identified by a simple painless test. The test requires the participant to merely swab the inside of their mouths for sixty seconds. The swab is then deposited into a container and mailed to a laboratory. In about eight weeks, the information is made available via the internet.
This project has utilized this new technology to help break into the previously impenetrable walls of information. With a little luck and continued research, this project will continue to expand our deep understanding of the direct male ancestry of Anthony Hoskins, puritan from Windsor, Connecticut.
Useful Links:
Map of England & Wales
Movement of Man into Europe
Contact: Robert Haskins