In the course of researching my Cumbrian Hoodless branch for this site, I became aware of an entirely separate Hoodless branch in Cumbria living alongside my known branch, the Wetheral branch. Frustratingly, I have been unable to connect the two branches even going back as far as I can into the late 1600’s. However, I know via Ancestry that I have a DNA relative who is descended from this parallel Hoodless line around Parkhead and Caldbeck, which tells me (I think) that there is a common ancestor joining the two branches. This link is still to be discovered!
Both branches have links to Sebergham and the area in a three or four mile radius around it which includes High Head where many of the Wetheral branch were baptised.
In St Kentigern Churchyard in Caldbeck, Cumbria is the grave of one William Hoodless the inscription on the stone reads:
In memory of WILLIAM HOODLESS of PARK HEAD who
died September ye 29th 1759 aged 80 years
Also of JANE his wife who died October ye 12th 1767 aged 88
years
Headstone- St Kentigern Churchyard, Caldbeck, Cumbria
The tree below is a summary of the Parkhead branch gleaned mainly from cemetery records and the Bishops Transcripts of St Kentigern church in the Caldbeck parish.
William-H-Parkhed-1679There is also a John Hoodless who marries “Jane” in nearby Castle Sowerby before 1738 and they have at least four children there.
- Stephen Hoodless – Baptised 2 July 1738
- Elizabeth Hoodless – Baptised 8 February 1740
- Thomas Hoodless – Baptised 2 September 1744
- Mary Hoodless – Baptised 4 April 1751
I am unable to confidently say that this is the same John in the Parkhead tree above. And there is a marriage record for a John Hoodless and Sarah Richeson in Castle Sowerby on 28 June 1737 which fits date-wise but the female name is Sarah not Jane. However, I mention this with some excitement because the name “Stephen” features a lot a bit further back in the Wetheral branch as I discovered when I was trying to connect the two branches. It stood out to me in a sea of Williams, Thomas and Johns.