William M. Franklin
William (Bill) M. Franklin is a retired United Methodist Minister who lives in Tennessee with his son on a farm that has been in the family for more than seventy years. In honor of the homeland of his 10th great-grandfather, Mr. Franklin has named the farm "Little Kelshall."
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Bill's work is sold in all major bookstores, including the following:
Franklin Family History
From 1425 England to 2018 U.S.A.
This booklet is a comprehensive genealogical study of our branch of the Franklin family. We've traced our history from Robert Franklin, born 1425 in Skipton-upon-Craven, Yorkshire, England, to 2018 U.S.A.
Along the way, we've discovered rectors, deans, sheriffs, and even a president of the University of Cambridge. Most importantly, we've discovered generations of tough, smart, innovative, hardy people who, through a spirit of adventure and an unwavering sense of optimism, helped shape us to be who and what we are today, both as a family and as a country.
Franklin Family History
2nd Edition
As noted in our description for Franklin Family History, 1st Edition, this booklet is a comprehensive genealogical study of our branch of the Franklin family. We’ve traced our history from Robert Franklin, born 1425 in Skipton-upon-Craven, Yorkshire, England, to modern-day U.S.A.
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Since the publication of that first edition, I have had the opportunity to travel to Kelshall, England to see the home of my ancestor, the first Reverend Edward Franklin (1548–1617). My notes and photos from the trip are contained in the chapters following our ancestral line.
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We’ve also included additional information generously provided by the historian of St. Faith’s Church in Kelshall, Mr. Peter Gartside. Mr. Gartside’s work provides a richer picture of the history and circumstances that would have affected Edward and his family as they lived and worked in the tiny English village.
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Additionally, we’ve included a chapter discussing the origin and design of the coat of arms for our specific branch of the Franklin family, one of only four branches of the Franklin family upon whom a coat of arms was bestowed.