Hi Camille

Thanks for leaving a message on the bulletin board. I have been in touch with Stella some time ago and I also met Garry Inifer when he was touring Europe a few years back.

I know that Stella has done a lot of research into the Inifer's and you are in a similar position to me in that anyone with your unique spelling is a relation. It would appear that we are all descended from the holders of the name 'Ennyvere' or Enever. From books that I have read about old English, I gather that the letter v was softened over the years to become pronounced as an f in some words. For instance a fox was originally a vox (hence the female vixen).

This explains the v to f for some variations. Also in some Essex areas an E could become an I explaining your variation. I am afraid that I was not much help to Stella or Garry as despite searching a lot of Essex registers and finding a few extra brothers sisters, I have been unable to help trace your line back further. I know that your family originate from the Braintree area of North Essex. My family originate from further south but by only about 12 miles (sorry 19km. ) There are strong pointers, however that they may have moved there from the north of the county so we could all be related, albeit distantly.

As to the origins of the name there are different theories. The official definitions quote it as a Cornish variation of the name Guinevere but I have my doubts. My theory (which other people have taken up as well now) is that it may have a flemish root. The early mentions of the name are as Genever alias Juniper. The old dutch name for Juniper is Genever and the G is virtually silent. An English speaking clerk would very likely drop the G and write Enever or Iniver?

I hope that this helps. If you wish to contact me again my e mail address is davideniffer@hotmail.com