Why Unicorn?

My favourite book is The Little White Horse (some editions are titled Moonacre) by Elizabeth Goudge, possibly the only thing I have in common with J K Rowling, this features a horse that was left behind from the sea. The horse is very helpful and resourceful and no one ever comments on the fact that he is a unicorn, nor do they ever comment on the dog being actually a lion. Maybe it is due to this book that I now have two paintings of the mythical white horses which form out of the white tops of waves in the sea.

When looking for a name for my Family History Research Service the unicorn came to mind, I hope to be helpful like the ' Little White Horse' and to help people trace ancestors who may seem to be as elusive as the unicorns. However, we do know that the ancestors did exist, we wouldn't be here without them.

My logo shows my friendly unicorn wearing a collar with a thick wavy line, this line has been taken from the coat of arms of Richard Dryland, 15th Century mayor of Faversham, who is almost certainly a distant cousin of mine. Both Richard and the heralds who designed his coat of arms must have had a sense of humour as the wavy line represents water.

As I am based in Kent and my maternal line is absolutely rooted in Kent the unicorn is also a loose link to the White Horse rampant (shown below) which is the emblem of Kent.