Genealogy of the Olmsted family in America : embracing the ...

INTRODUCTION
EXPLANATORY
The reference system adopted in the Genealogy s the simplest that
has been found practicable, viz., the designation of each name by a single
number, strictly adhered to throughout. The inquirer has only to turn to
the index, find the number of the page upon which the desired name occurs,
and then trace it out in the body of the work. Where the name represents
the head of a family, marked +, the facts regarding that family will be found
upon a subsequent page under the same name in brackets.
THE ORTHOGRAPHY OF THE FAMILY NAME
It will be noted that with a few exceptions the famUy name is spelled
throughout the volume, " Olmsted." This method is observed for the sake
of uniformity, and following the custom generally approved by genealogists,
i. e., of using the name as most commonly spelled by descendants, as the estab-
lished name in the Genealogy. The compiler makes haste, however, to
explain that in many instances his correspondents include the " a " in the
1 ast syllable of the name and a number of these favoring the orthography to
which they are accustomed have written to ask why the " Olmsted " form is invariably
used in the volume. As suggested above, the use of the two forms
would create confusion and mar the symmetry of the record. A similar
situation obtains in the orthography of other family names. The name
" Osborn," which is the one used in the Osborn Genealogy, is also spelled^
Osborne and Osburn. The name Reed is also spelled Reid, Read and Reade.
In both the above cases, the bearers of the name were no doubt originally
of the same family. A great many other similar cases might be noticed,
but they will undoubtedly occur at once to the reader, so they are not here
mentioned. As to the Olmsted name, it appears under a great many different
forms both in this country and abroad, as witness the following: Almesteda,
Elmsted, Elmstead, Hamstead, Hampstead, Hampstede, Hamsted, Hempsted,
Hempstede, Holmestead, Holmested, Holmestede, Holmstead, Holmsteade,
Holmsted, Holmstedd, Holmystede, Homestead, Hompstead, Hompsted,
Hompstede, Hownsted, Olmested, Olmestede, Olmsted, Olmstead,
Olmsteed, Olmstedd, Ownsted, Umsted, Umstede.
The compiler disavows the intention even to suggest any change in the
method of spelling the name to which the individual descendants are accustomed.
THE FIRST MENTION OF THE FAMILY NAME
The earliest mention of the family name occurs in "Doomsday Book" for
the County of Essex, in the survey made under William the Conqueror, in
1086. It appears as follows under "The Land of Suen of Essex" and the
"Hundret of Tendringe":
"Almesteda (Elmsted or Olmsted) was held by Robert Fitz Wimarc. Now
Suen (holds it), and Siric' of him, as 1 manor and as 8 hides. Then 14
villeins; now 13. Then 31 bordars; now 36. Then 6 serfs; now 1. Then
3 ploughs on the demesne; now 4. Then 19 ploughs belonging to the men;
now 18. (There is) wood (land) for 500 swine, 22 acres of meadow, and pasture
for 60 sheep. Then as now {semper) 1 mill, and 1 saltpan. Then 3.