Hello everyone. My name is Thomas Omen..Tom..I live in an old farmhouse in Sir Frycheiniog and I am obsessed with history. I was born in south London, have worked in a lot of places as a builder, actor, promoter, bamboo cutter…you get the idea. I have discovered my 12th Great Grandfather was James1sts Royal baker. He had his bake house at the tower and a peel was rung on his funeral day. My 13th great grandfather was a Flemish brewer and trader, Jacques Wittewronghele. I am lucky his portrait and those of his wife and son are included in the National Portrait Galleries, ‘Elizabeth and Her People.’ I have travelled all over Britain and Belgium and Holland tracing my history. My great discovery, and what may seem to others a bit boring is I am related to a de Smeldt family from Ghent. Wouter de Smeldt b. 1483 was a block carver for printing houses and made musical instruments as a sideline. He had four children that I can find so far. What or should I say whom I am very excited about is one son called Marc, b. February 1513. Matthys b. 1511 followed Wouter into the family business. Luc b.1507 can be traced to what is now Switzerland in the 1520’s. His is a very interesting trail. Maria b. 1509 marries into my line in 1531. But Marc disappears. I have received a lot of help from people abroad and here…Europe has some great records…guilds…court etc.
I realise I am now boring you all. Needless to say I have come across this site and must admit I think a great deal of the posts are intelligent and fascinating. I hope I can get some answers and share my love for the 16th century as well. Cheers