AN eccentric recluse, a member of the landed gentry and possibly even an Antarctic explorer were rooted out by a man researching his family tree.

Dennis Biscoe, 61, of Elm Road, Cressex, has been researching for ten years and has traced his family back to the 16th century, to an Edward Biscoe of Little Missenden who records show was buried in 1563.

He traced six children from Edward Biscoe's marriage. One of the six, John Biscoe, was a yeoman, a tenant-in-chief, which meant he held land directly from the king. Some land he held is believed to have been in Amersham.

Mr Biscoe said: "John also had a son, Robert Biscoe, who was described in parish records as a 'gent' meaning someone who belonged to the landed gentry.

"He was the mayor of High Wycombe in 1624."

John Biscoe, the famous Antarctic explorer of the 1800s who followed in the footsteps of Captain Cook and charted the Antarctic in a tiny ship, may also be part of the family tree.

Other interesting family members include the eccentric, Mr Elisha Biscoe who bought the Manor of Holton in 1808. The manor included six farms and cost a huge £64,000. In a park about 200 yards from the house was a small mound on which he built a summer-

house.

Mr Biscoe said: "It is said that Elisha was a recluse and when he saw a carriage enter the gates far down the drive, he would run into the summerhouse which he called Little London so that when the butler met with the visitors he could say his master was in London and it wouldn't have been a lie."

Mr Biscoe's work has also inspired his wife, Evelyn, 58, to start researching into her own family history. Mrs Biscoe said: "I have managed to go back on my mother's side to 1725. I find it so exciting researching the family history."

The couple have a room dedicated to all the research including photographs and a collection of parish records.

Mr Biscoe said: "This is something I always wanted to do but it wasn't until I went into a heraldry shop in Yarmouth that I actually started researching it and it has been going on since then."

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