In the beginning of the We Are Family Briggs blog, the purpose was to compile research and share with the family (certainly more than just the Briggs’ family!) everything that I have learned. Now I feel it’s time to mix things up by not just doing the research, but also sharing my thoughts, doing more family interviews, and hoping to inspire other family members to collect and continue the stories they have gleaned from conversations, gatherings and journals.

The subject for today’s post, ‘In the Beginning’ can start anywhere from the beginning of time to the beginning of this post. I’m going to begin from as far back as I can go with the Briggs line (so far). Keep in mind, this is not confirmed information but rather a starting point as to where the Briggs family ‘may’ have begun. We all know it goes back much further (and it does) however, we need to start somewhere!

Thomas Briggs – this is a very common name throughout the Briggs line. For example, we have Thomas Albert Briggs (great grandfather), Thomas Lasher Briggs (2x great grandfather) and Thomas Briggs, Jr. (3x great grandfather) – you see what I’m talking about. There are several other Thomas’, but we will get to those another time.

The Thomas Briggs I’m referring to was born in the year 1751 in Armley, Yorkshire, England (5x great grandfather). This is unsubstantiated information, however, I’m pretty sure we’re on the right path and it will take a lot of time and work to gather the information needed (also might require a trip to England!) to substantiate the connection. Further information gathered indicates that his father’s name was Thomas but again, Thomas Briggs in England during that time is a very popular name.

My confirmed research shows five generations of Thomas’ up to Thomas Albert Briggs or as he was commonly known amongst his peers in New Westminster, Dixie (not sure where that came from however, another research trip!). This is in my direct line. There are, however, other Thomas Briggs’ going down from the Thomas Lasher and Mary Briggs (nee Irving) line through Stanley Kingston Briggs (6^th of 8 children/4^th of 5 sons).

One of the good things to come out of doing this blog is the chance to meet newfound family members. I had the opportunity to visit a distant cousin of my father in April 2023 – Thomas (Tom) Briggs! I’m hoping to do another visit sometime in 2025, to do an interview with him and his family, and a visit with his sister, to add to the stories and the blog. Oh, and he has a son named Thomas!

Here is a photo of Thomas and I sitting at a family heirloom once belonging to an ancestor from Irving House. It was a wonderful visit, and I look forward to another one.

Here’s looking forward to much more research, many more stories and anticipated visits!

Welcome to the beginning of 2025!