As many of you know, my daughter Janet and I traveled to England this past August and toured several of the Radclyffe sites.  One of those was Dilston Castle which was the home of James Radcliffe, 3^rd Earl of Derwentwater and subject included in the book Devil Water by Anya Seaton.

Since returning from that trip, I have been contacted by Colin Ratcliffe-Springall regarding a Society that has been created in early 2007.  The friends aim is to preserve the ruins of the ancient family home of the Derwentwater Ratcliffe’s and to collect and display papers and artifacts relating to the family. They also intend to eventually set set up a Ratcliffe family research centre there, but this will be dependent upon getting enough people to join the Friends of Dilston so that they can apply for Grant Funding for the project.  One of the values of becoming a member is you gain entrance to the site free of charge.  Also, you will be informed of the various educational programs should you wish to participate or attend any of the planned events. 

Current membership fee is £12 a year ($25 in US).  You may go to their website to gain further information:  www.friendsofhistoricdilston.org/.  This site will give you more information on the Society and what is available for your membership.  You are encouraged to review the site and consider becoming a member.  There is a membership application on site but, for your convenience, you will find one as an attachment to this note.  You will need to print out the application and mail it, with your check as there is no way to do it electronically at this time.  After all, they are just getting established.

I have been contacted by one Ratcliff member who is considering going to England in the next year to also see some of the Radclyffe sites.  A great way to enhance your experience is to become a member of the Friends of Historic Dilston and participate in some of their educational or archeological programs.  Also, the little town of Hexam just west of the castle is a lovely English town and worthy of you spending some time there.

Another website that may be of interest is: www.northumbrianjacobites.org.uk/society/society.htm .

Even though we haven’t confirmed definitely that our American Ratliff (various spellings) come from this branch of the Radcliffe family, current DNA testing is leading in that direction.  Still more definitive proof is needed and we are working hard to discover that proof.  But in the interim, The Friends of Historic Dilston is worthy of your consideration and your membership.

As this is the Holiday Season, may we wish you all of the happiness that this season of the year brings.  What better way to celebrate this season than becoming a member of Friends of Historic Dilston and helping to discover and preserve the Ratcliffe heritage.

With kind regards,

Ed Ratliff

Anchorage , Alaska