Hatley publications

All about Hatley and The Hatley Wills 1528-1800

All about Hatley is a tempting title for residents of the Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire villages that share that name.  But this book is not just about those villages; the author, Ron Hatley, covers much else besides.  He ranges over the meaning of the name, the many individuals who have borne the surname through history, the places overseas where the name has been taken, the memorials that have been erected to dead Hatleys and many other categories.

There are photographs of churches and portraits, drawings of coats of arms and family trees, reproductions of documents and trade tokens of St Neots and extracts from police records.  There is even mention of a pirate of the name, about whom a film was once proposed.†

The 'Hatley family' has many members, lines that live on and lines that have died out.  The author does not tell us from which line he comes, but you can read this book and try to work it out for yourself. An earlier volume – The Hatley Wills 1528-1800 – contains transcriptions of 145 wills, inventories, etc. relating to the name Hatley.

Put together, these two books make an informative and enjoyable compilation for those who love lists and detective work.

All about Hatley  ISBN 0-9544594-1-5, 196 pp, 2004.
The Hatley Wills 1528-1800  ISBN 0-9544594-0-7, 197 pp.

Each book costs £10.95 plus £2.50 P&P in the UK and £6.55 P&P if you are overseas.   US customers should pay $26 which includes shipping charges.  These books are only available direct from the author:

Ron Hatley
Antelope Books
45 St Crispians
Seaford
East Sussex
BN25 2DY

E-mail   ron@hatley.co.uk
Tel  01323 490663
Further information on History.uk.com

†  In January 2010, we checked with Ron Hatley whether the film was ever made.  He kindly replied by return, saying:

As you probably know, when Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote his Rime of the Ancient Mariner, he based it on a true story.  The sailor who shot the albatross during a bout of depression was a Simon Hatley, who came from the parish of Woodstock in Oxfordshire.  About six years ago I was approached by an Irish film company who were seeking information on this Simon Hatley for a film they were planning on Coleridge's story.  Unfortunately they never got back to me.  I have since checked the web but can find no trace of this film, so probably it was never produced.

Memorial inscriptions in the churchyards

Are you looking for gravestones of your ancestors?  Lists of memorial inscriptions in the churchyards of East Hatley and Hatley St George can be obtained on microfiche (number MI/66) from the Cambridgeshire Family History Society.

The Society has listed most parish graveyards in the county.  See their website www.chfw.org.uk .  The section, found under Activities, on Bookstall & Cambs FHS Publications, lists the fiche available and gives details for orders (either use the Quick Search facility or scroll down to 'Monumental Inscriptions').  Censuses and Parish Registers are also available.

Page updated 23 January 2010