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THE COVINGTON HISTORY DATABASE

You can move directly to the data by clicking on the red arrow – but it’s worth reading the notes below first before proceeding C

The nucleus of my work is included in The Covington Database, it is a wide-ranging study into all the Covingtons that have I have found to have been recorded or mentioned, initially in any of the UK genealogical sources, but latterly via the World Wide Web, which has allowed me to expand the database to include those born around the world. Obviously, it is not in any way totally complete, as I have yet to track down all the genealogical sources known to man! However, it can now be considered as a firm foundation on which to build and assist other Covingtons wishing to trace their particular Covington lineage. If you find any errors or ommissions, please let me know at covingtonhistory@mhcovington.plus.com

These records detail all the Covingtons for whom I have been able to trace a significant event in their lives. This may be birth, baptism, marriage or death. The U.K. source for this material is mainly the General Record Office (G.R.O.) Index at St Catherine's House, Aldwych, London or The International Genealogy Index (I.G.I.) of the Church of Latter Day Saints, although many other sources have also been used, including Army, Navy and Air Force service records, various library entries, press extracts, census records, extensive personal correspondence with fellow Covingtons and extracts from their family diaries.

This part of my research also holds some detailed autobiographies supplied by the individual, or biographies from their families, in addition to extracts from various library sources about the more famous, or infamous, Covingtons throughout the years. Service history records are included for the late 19th century Covington soldiers where obtainable, as well as details of medals awarded to Covingtons in World War 1.

Within these pages you can read about a Frederick Ernest Covington who played county cricket for Middlesex, Gyles Freeman Covington (see more below) & Joseph Arthur Covington who were both hung for murder, Stenton Thomas Covington who made a speech in the presence of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, the generally despised Harold Armstead Covington a staunch neo-Nazi, and of course, the talented singer/actress Julie Covington, who topped the U.K. pop charts in 1977 with "Don't cry for me Argentina" from the musical "Evita".

One of the more infamous members of the clan is Gyles Freeman Covington. His skeleton can be seen today in an Oxford Museum but why did he die? We know how he dies - hung by the neck at Oxford Prison - but what is the real story? Research by Mark Davies has resulted in the publication of his book "The Abingdon Waterturnpike Murder" which can be yours to own & read for just £6.99 + £1.01 p&p. (2002 price). Contact info for Mark is 'Bill the Lizard', 12 Hythe Bridge Arm, Oxford Canal, Oxford, OX1 2TA or if you would like to e-mail him with any information that would assist his study, please do so at Towpathpress@btopenworld.com. Mention you reached him from this site and he might knock a bit off the price too!

Amongst our namesakes we can also boast a recipient of The Military Cross and French Croix de Guerre, as well as professors, doctors, an optician, numerous servicemen, lawyers, writers, actors & teachers. You will read about Syms Covington, a close colleague of the world-famous Charles Darwin who accompanied him on his trip on the HMS Beagle. Lorenzo Dow Covington, a researcher with Flinders Petrie of the Pyramids and a Canon, plus a few Mormons There is even a Mary Anne Coventon who married Prince Charles, or was it Charles Prince?

To read more about the more infamous or most famous Covingtons, click on this link.

It is a worrying thought that many of our forefathers left so little recorded information about their lives for others to read and use as research after their demise. Often only baptism, marriage & death dates can be found. Occasionally details of children and service history add to their epitaph and create a slightly more enlightening picture of their life for future genealogists. Having spent many years researching the Covingtons, it would be nice to think that future generations might have the foresight to keep a diary, be it only an annual review of the activities of themselves and their family members. Unfortunately, the old saying "We came into this world with nothing, and will leave it with nothing" often remains true and particularly tough on genealogists who thirst for biographical information, usually about the dead, who are unable to tell us their own life story now. Unless, of course, you believe in séances, ghosts and life after death.

Some of the more unusual christian names that are included in The Covington Database are; Agneta, Augusta Pengelly, Baard, Barry Blue, Boyer, Ebenezer, Elias, Frauncies, Gyp, Inez, Jentylia, Lorenzo Dow, Lyma, Manford, Mordaunt, Myrtilla, Piddia, Simeon Reuben, Vertis & Willmus.

James & Susannah Covington who after having named 11 children, obviously ran out of ideas and named a daughter, born in September, Septima and a son Decimus, born Christmas Day 1839.

Horace Ernest Covington married a Miss World in 1914. This was Lily World. Sadly, he was killed in action during the First World War along with another 13 Covingtons, plus 6 more who died in World War 2.

Cecil Norman M Covington obviously enjoyed The Wedding March as he married 5 times between 1933 and 1962.

Daniel Cargill Newton, not only married a Covington (Mary), but then gave 5 of his daughters away in marriage to Covingtons.

Henry & Maud A Covington had 15 children, of which 12 were boys, to become one of the most prolific contributors to keeping the Covington name going in the UK. The World Covington Stud Champion is however from the U.S. where the wonderfully named John Thomas Covington from West Somerville, MS sired 31 children from the 3 "wives" he had. He was a practising Mormon for whom monogamy was not his bag.

Nehemiah Covington, born circa 1628 is widely acknowledged by Covington Historians as the Daddy of the U.S. Covingtons. There are a number of trees from various sources claiming to be linked to him, although so far, nothing has been proven.

Many U.S. people have unusual names, at least in British eyes, as it is their custom to often include their wife's maiden name as a middle name for their offspring, hence; George Milburn, George Morse, Treadwell Downing, Oscar Brandford etc etc. Another problem with researching U.S. genealogy, is the fact that they have initially obtained their surname by a mixture of normal means, either, hereditary from U.K. explorers or even convicts, or, as is the case with descendants of former slaves, by adopting the name of their former slave-owners following the abolition of slavery, or the name of the place in which they were born.

Obviously not all Covingtons were born as such and inherited our wonderful name via marriage. Wherever possible I have included as much info as I can find for these spouses, with more detailed info specifically for wives, e.g. parents, death data and notes. For male spouses, I’ve generally just included their names.

ACCESS TO THE DATABASE

The data is available in a number of different formats. The main info is sorted alphabetically by Christian name & can be accessed via my Datapages. A number of the more prolific Covington dynasties can be found by visiting my Family Trees section. To see if you, or any of your known relatives, are in the Family Trees listings, try visiting Descendents. (please be aware that this is a large file, so may take some time to load). The site also offers a Google Sponsored search engine facility which should provide links to your selected criteria. Click on the hyperlink to be directed to the full entry.

I, like any responsible genealogist, strive for 100% accuracy with the information I collect and offer to share to others. Like every other genealogist, I also try to live by the concept of “trust but verify” when using information from other sources. I honestly believe that nobody deliberately tries to confuse when keeping, or translating, family records but it does happen. Similarly, there are often occasions where a degree of estimation, assumption & sheer old, best guesswork, is necessary to facilitate a, close as possible, view of the big picture. Wherever such an assumption is made & used, it should be described as such. Therefore, you will find the occasional reference to “about”, “after”, “before”, “said to be”, “around” and “between” in some records. It sometimes isn't perfect, but why ruin a good story with the truth, particularly when the truth is not readily out there.

Should you have any queries or wish to contribute further info regarding entries found, please E-Mail me at the address below and I’ll try to help. The MHC link below takes you to a list of all the Covingtons for whom I need to trace their father's details. With this info I can tie more direct Trees together.

You can move directly to the data by clicking on the red arrow C

Please send e-mails to: covingtonhistory@mhcovington.plus.com

Visit the Covington History search engine