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Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA > 2001-06 > 0991897136
From: "Steve Hayes" <>
Subject: Bishop Auckland
Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2001 08:58:56 +0200
References: <5.0.2.1.2.20010605080055.01e40600@mail.citytel.net>
In-Reply-To: <l03130301b74496b0c924@[202.161.96.214]>
On 7 Jun 01, at 12:29, Andrew Rodger wrote:
>
> Anne Lehmkuhl mentions
>
> >Charles Beaumont SMITH born 1875 at the Cape, died 1907, Bishop in
> >Auckland, England (?).
>
> I suspect this is the small town of Bishop Auckland, a little way inland
> from Hartlepool, which may or may not be the place the city in New
> Zealand is named after.
I believe it is called that because the bishops of Durham live there, in
Auckland Castle.
The bishop used to be not merely a church leader, but a secular leader as
well, and lived in a large castle in Durham city, and was ruler of the county
palatine of Durham. I gather that Durham is the only English county that is
not a shire.
The 1832 Reform Act removed the secular powers of the bishop, and the
then bishop (Van Mildert, I think) moved to Bishop Auckland, and gave the
castle in Durham for the establishment of Durham University. The university
generously provides a forwarding address to its alumni, which is why my e-
mail address is
That is all from somewhat rusty memory, and the facts would need to be
checked, but I thought it might be of interest if yopur family came from
there.
Keep well,
Steve Hayes
Web: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/famhist1.htm
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| Bishop Auckland by "Steve Hayes" <> |