Any idea what year this photo of Huckins' shop was taken or who the two people are?

I remember the shop from the 1950s and it looked just like this photo with the door to the shop on the left hand side (Church Street) and the shed, barn or garage which was still there in the 1950s, on the right hand side of the photo.  Amy and Les Huckins lived in the house then and Amy ran the shop at that time.  I think her mother, Miriam Shearer, ran the shop before Amy did (possible in the 1930s).  Miriam's maiden name was Griffin and I think one of her brothers was George Griffin, but he married Phyllis Porter and 1931 and Winifred Goves in 1945 so I don't think he's the George Griffin who owned the store.

Barb

This is a very interesting thread with such precious photos.  How lovely to see the doll's pram and dolls in the family photo.  You rarely get to see toys included from that time.

Dee, I don't know if Elsie Hunt's maiden name was Pratley but she was very good friends with a Mrs. Pratley, who also lived on Church Street, across the road from Bert and Elsie and about 100 yards closer to the manor.  They went to church together and it's quite possible they were related.

Do you know if your grandmother's brother, Leslie, married Amy Shearer?  Leslie and Amy had 3 daughters, Dawn, Wendy and Rachel.  Wendy and Rachel still live in the village.

I'm looking forward to reading more about this family.

Barb

Hello again Mervyn

Thank you for posting that picture of Sarah Hanks (née Davis): I can see what you mean about the nose. The little girl in the other photo does look similar, I agree, but without a firm date for that photo it makes it hard to decide if it's the same person or just a family resemblance. It's so frustrating that there's no label . . . a lesson to us all to add captions to our photographs! As you say, hopefully someone will recognise their relations in the group photo. (Perhaps you could post it in Shane's 'Memories of Stonesfield' Facebook group to get a wider audience?)

Talking of that group, I've just had a trawl through looking at the school photos and found a lovely one posted just over a year ago, 8 January 2017. The resolution's not quite high enough to be sure, but the girl standing in front of the male teacher looks rather like one of the girls in your photo. The person who posted it didn't say what date it is, but it looks like it's postcard-format which would date it to the early part of the 20th century. Those smocks again!

I'll keep looking for clues . . . 

Best wishes

Jane

Hi Jane,

Thank you for your reply, the link was very interesting. Do not worry about throwing a spanner!, it is good to test theories. Unfortunately there is no clues on the back of the photo, but one clue is the young girl in the bottom left of the group photo.

The girl in the group photo has a very distinctive ridge on her nose and the area around her eyes is also very distinctive. Though I am not a facial expert, the older person below has similar features around her eyes and has distinctive ridge on her nose. Could it be the same person?

 If this is the same person, I can confirm that the person on the right hand side is Sarah Hunt (nee Davis). Sarah was born in 1879 and the right hand picture was taken in 1923. What do you think?

It would be good to find out who they all are, even if my theory is not correct. Hopefully somebody has images of them in their collection to help in deciphering this image.

Thank you again for your help.

Best regards

Mervyn

Hi 

Just been reading the thread, I can confirm that Les & Dot were related to Bert and Elsie Hunt.

George Herbert had a younger brother called Joseph Leslie Hunt. Joseph married Florence Dore in 1915 (April - June Quarter) and had a son called Leslie A Hunt born the same year in the July -September quarter. Leslie A Hunt married Dorothy Tennant in 1936. Les was Bert & Elsie's nephew.

Below is a picture that may be of interest.

This is a picture I have found in a family collection I had access to recently. It was un-named but I believe I have worked out who all of the persons are.

The clue was the older lady, she had a strong family resemblance to a person I have seen an image of. It was an image shared by Shane of her sister Mary Oliver (nee Davis) who married Richard Barrett Oliver and moved to Vancouver Island.

I believe the older lady in this picture is Emma Davis who married George Hunt and who ran the bakery in Boot Street, Stonesfield in the second half of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th Century. 

If I am correct then the persons in this picture are:

Left to right: Back row Emma Hunt (nee Davis) , Hedley Hunt, George Hunt, Alfred Hunt

Middle Row: Ada Ellen Hunt, Ellen Emily Hunt , Edith Agnes Hunt

Front Row: Sarah Davis (Married Jack Hanks (the hurdle maker) – Emma & George’s niece), Sarah Hannah Hunt and George Herbert Hunt. 

This picture would have been taken approx 1883 and I believe is in the yard of the Bakery in Boot Street. The ages of the persons at the time this picture was taken does fit the Hunt family at that time and their niece Sarah Davis. 

The picture was in a collection owned by a descendent of Sarah Davis.

I know that Edith Hunt and Sarah Hunt both emigrated to Canada. Edith married Frederick Churcher, they departed for Montreal, Canada with their daughter Muriel on 26 August 1905 from London on the SS Sarmatian. They had three further children, Fred jnr, Edith and Dorothy. Shortly after the birth of Dorothy in 1910 in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, it appears that she had a form of post partum depression, or some other mental illness, and sadly was committed to a local institution where she sadly died not long after her admission. There is a record that describes her death as "Exhaustion of Mania." 

Both Emma Hunt (nee Davis) and Mary Oliver (nee Davis) lived long lives, both died in 1937, Emma was 93 years old and Mary 91 years old. I have always wondered if they corresponded with each other, especially as they were the last of their generation and exchanged photographs. 

I have not found any secondary photographs other than of Sarah Davis when she was older. It would be amazing to fully confirm with secondary photos what I believe is the Hunt Family, the bakers of Boot Street.

Best regards

Mervyn

As promised I've been looking for George Herbert Hunt. He was still with his parents in Stonesfield in 1911. A 'HUNT George Herbert otherwise Bert of Beech House Stonesfield Oxfordshire' died 30 July 1960 according to the National Probate Calendar. Probate was granted at Oxford on 7 November the same year to Elsie Hunt, widow. There is a corresponding death registration for a 79 year old George H. Hunt in the Chipping Norton district in the third quarter of 1960, which would be the right age for your George. You could get a copy of his will to see if it gives any clues about other family members.

From the probate calendar it appears that he was known not as George or as Herbert but as Bert. That explains my difficulty finding him on the 1939 Register. When you look instead for a Bert Hunt, up pops one born 1880 who was in the Chipping Norton Rural District (which I think covered Stonesfield).  So it looks like he stayed in England . . . or if he did emigrate he came back again.

Hi Jane,

Happy New Year

Thank you for reply with so much information. I dont have Ancestry only use on Gene Reunited Family Tree.

I presumed they never had Miriam, doesn't seem to be children, if he went out looking for work in Canada 2 months after they married and she didnt went then he went to war very little chance of children. They probably gone their seperate ways.  Yes James had a young brother Joseph. He is one of 10 children.  Yes Winifred married to John Bowins in 1933.

And also hope if you can help with this answer.  I know one of James's brother Hedley V Hunt who migrated to Australia around in 1899/1990 and I believe that one of his brother went with him but I doubt which brothers whom went with him either Alfred or George Hunt. I doubt that one of their grandaughter Lesley Hunt was tennis champion in Australia.

Kind Regards

Dee

I found out that James John Hunt b, 1884 married to Winifred Dora J S Busby around end of April.  The census was on April 2nd and their marriage on 22nd  April 1911 as the banns were read on 2nd, 9th and 16th. James John is listed on the banns as being from Stonesfield. 

 And I was told that they had a daughter Miriam born in 1911 but I cant find on BMD. I dont know whether if his wife Winifred went to Canada with James two weeks after their married?

James John Hunt, his parents George Hunt & Emma Davis from Stonesfield.

Hope anyone can help whereabouts James J Hunt and Winifred Dora J S busby's daughter Miriam born in 1911.

Kind Regards

Dee Wilkes

Dee wrote:

---

Hi I noticed James Hunt died in The Great War on Stonesfield Memorial, I wonder which year James Hunt born?  My family side are Hunt/Huckins

---

Hello Dee and welcome :)

You can see some army papers for James Hunt on Ancestry in their "British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920" collection. Though it says WWI in fact his papers go back to March 1902 when he first enlisted. He was then aged 18 years and 3 months, which puts his date of birth as about January 1884. There is a birth registration in the Woodstock district, Q1 1884, for a James Hunt with mother's maiden name Davis, which would fit with him being the son of George & Emma. That's confirmed by the next-of-kin info in the army papers: 

There's much more info in this set of papers too, including some correspondence about him asking permission to go to Canada (before WWI). 

NB just to confuse everyone, Ancestry has transcribed the regiment wrong: he was in the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry but they have put Bedfordshire.

Hope this helps

Jane

One branch of the tree that is still very much a mystery and undiscovered as far as this thread goes is the line of Miriam's third child, her daughter Mabel.

We do know that she married in 1946 to a John R M Hewitt in Kent and having completing a little digging into the line its in Kent that Mabel and John appear to have raised there own family and indeed where I think there may still be descendants today.

Here's a little tree diagram, if any of this rings bells for folks in this line please chime in..

Mabel M Shearer b.1921 d.1987
m. 1946 John R M Hewitt

   Kathryn M V Hewitt b.1947
   m. Kelvin A F Thornton-Margetts

   Verity J Hewitt b.1950 
   m. 1970 William N Gill

     Verity Rebecca Gill b.1971
     Nathan John Gill b.1974
     Jordan Hendrie Gill b.1982

  John R Hewitt b.1956
  m.1978  Christine M Shepherd

    Gareth John Hewitt b.1981
    Robert Andrew C Hewitt b.1983

Thanks,
Shane

Sitting at the top of this story we find Prudence Griffin nee Oliver and her wonderful act of kindness that had far reaching effects on the families and descendants that followed. But of course one step further up the tree we come to Solomon, Prudence's father, who probably has one of the most interesting lives of all our ancestors. Here is a link to a fascinating story of crime and punishment from his life http://www.oliverfamilyhistory.co.uk/v4/stories/solomon-and-joshua-bermuda-transportation.htm

Just a thought...from Helen's comment that her dad didn't think his parents were together in 1921...I was wondering if the family photo was taken around 1923 or so.  If that was the case then the little boy on the left of the photo (number 14) could be Harold Shearer (born in 1922), Miriam and Duncan's son.  If it is Harold then maybe number 13 could be Mabel, number 12 Kathleen and number 11 Amy.  If that is the case then maybe the man on the left (I think Miriam has an arm around his shoulders) is her husband Duncan with baby Harold on his lap.  

Barb

I'd like to add my congratulations to you, Shane, on your 500th post.  It is, of course, only the tip of the iceberg of all the research you do for this website and message board.  I really appreciate all the work which goes into this.  Thanks so much. 

Barb

As I walked through the Stonesfield Churchyard earlier this week some wonderful bright and colourful flowers caught my eye, and it was lovely to see that it was the gravestone of George and Winifred reunited, beautifully cared for by their loved ones.

Close by I also discovered another gravestone, one that I must have passed several times previously but didn't know of the relevance, and its a gravestone where George's first wife Phyllis and Winifred's first husband Alfred are remembered, together, what an amazing thing that George and Winifred did right there.

Both a these gravestones made an altogether heartwarming few moments, and with this being my 500th post to a messageboard all about family, I think the subjects of these photographs symbolize family, love, care perfectly.

Thanks!

Shane

Hi Helen,

Glad you enjoyed those little gems, they're are all really lovely aren't they, and any information you can add would be much appreciated.

Yes, I think you're correct about George Collier, I had a quick look this morning and found the following passenger list entry:

Name: George Collier
Age: 20
Birth Year: abt 1870
Place of Origin: Oxfordshire, England
Ship Name: Dacca
Port of Departure: London, England
Port of Arrival: Brisbane
Arrival Date: 6 Jan 1890

I couldn't see him marrying or dying in Australia so wondered whether he came back, but I couldn't find a return passenger list entry (it probably is in the records somewhere, maybe in some garbled state that means it not surfacing quickly!)

But then I found the following in the online tree of ''Amanda_louise1' which shows the correct Fathers name and occupation:

Its seems that George and Hannah had three children together, but then sadly Hannah died in 1902 aged just 26. George then remarried and had a further two children.

There does appear to be a good deal of information, documents and pictures within various trees around this branch online if you were interested in looking further.

Thanks!

Shane

Hi Shane and Russell,

I've just discovered all these treasures - wow! I can definitely confirm that number 8 in the lovely photo is my granny Elsie (nee Pittick). Also - how wonderful to see the entries in the family bible, or great granny Ellen's bible. Apparently I was named after her, which makes it even more special! I have just been researching the footnote about her brother George Collier who emigrated to Australia and was on the ill fated ship the Dacca which went down in 1890 - everyone survived, so maybe he has descendants in Australia?  Also it's lovely to see Granny's name in the Mothers' Union book - thanks again Shane for all your amazing research! I will show my dad the photos when I see him next week - he'll be so thrilled!

Helen.

Hi Russell:

Hi Russell:

Thanks for e-mail.  Best thing to happen this week.  Nice to correspond with cousin with similar interest.

I don’t really have much on Kerr in Scotland.  John Kerr married Charlotte Garden in Rathven.  They have 2 sons Adam and John born in Rathven. 

Adam migrated to Canada.  I have vital stats on 500 offspring.  Probably of no interest to you.

John stayed in Scotland.  Married Isobell Rannie.  Had 5 daughters.

Dau 1 married James McQueen.  One child.

Dau 2 married James Rae.  9 children, umpteen gch.

Dau 3 died early.

Dau 4 see her in census at age 4, 14, 24.

Dau 5 your grandmother.

John was a sailor.  I don’t know if he was in Navy or Merchant Marine.  He was not at home for 1851, 1861 and 1871 census. Canadian folklore has him coming ashore near Chatham NB to see his older brother Adam?

Here is write–up on John:

John Kerr (1807-b4 1873)

John is #2 son of John Kerr and Charlotte Garden.  He was born 13 February 1807 in Rathven Banffshire Scotland.  He was christened 17 May 1807 witnesses John Forbes in Broom and John Bennet in Plastidubs.  He was merchant navy seaman.  He married Isobel Rannie 11 November 1838 in Rathven Banffshire.  Isobel was born in Mortlach Banffshire.  They have 5 daughters.  John died before 14 June 1873 when #5 daughter Isabella married George Shearer. 

Children:

Elizabeth Carr  b 1 January 1839 c 10 Feb 1939 Grange Banffshire

Ann Ker b 26 Feb 1842 c 20 March 1842 Grange Banffshire

Isabella1 Kerr b 20 April 1845 c 18 May 1845 Grange Banffshire

Helen Kerr b 1847 Grange Banffshire

Isabella Kerr  b 1850 d 1926.  Notice daughters #3 & #5 were both named Isabella.

John served in Merchant Marine and one time visited his brother Adam in Miramichi NB.

1851 Grange Banffshire census:

Kerr     Isabella            38 head            pauper agriculture labourer

            Elizabeth         12 dau             scholar

            Anne                 9 dau

            Hellen                4 dau

            Isabella            10 months

1861 Grange Banffshire census:
Kamaie Isabella           51 head           

Kerr     Elizabeth         22 dau

            Ann                 19 dau

            Hellen              14 dau             Ag Lab

            Isabella            10 dau

1871 Fordyce Banffshire census:

Kerr     Isabella            60 head            laundress

Helen               24 dau             dress maker

What a co-incidence.  My sisters and I were born in same hospital as the children of Duncan Shearer and  Miriam Griffin and about the same time.

Misericordia Hospital Winnipeg MB Canada

5/14/1916 Amy Helen Shearer

         1918 child died before 1921 census

3/18/1920 Kathleen Florence Mabel Shearer

3/27/1921 Mabel Mildred Shearer

10/31/1919 Mary Elizabeth Godfrey

08/10/1921 William Kerr Godfrey

03/05/1923 Kathleen Godfrey

03/05/1923 Margaret Godfrey

Russell wrote:

---

Number 5 looks remarkably like Duncan Shearer so I might suggest that's him. Number 6 looks like Miriam Shearer and the fact that they are stood together may confirm that. 

Russell  

---

Hi Russell,

Thanks for that, I've not seen Duncan Shearer before so good that you have been able to advise on that, so perhaps your comments raise an alternative list of names:

1 - Ernest Griffin
2 - Sarah Jane Griffin (nee Phillips, Ernest's Wife)
3 - Mabel Griffin
4 - Florence Griffin
5 - Duncan Shearer (Husband of Miriam)
6 - Miriam Shearer (nee Griffin)
7 - Arthur Griffin
8 - Charlotte Elsie Griffin (possibly still Charlotte Elsie Pittock at time of this photograph, later to marry Arthur)
9 - Ellen Griffin
10 - Ellis Griffin
11 - Amy Shearer? (Daughter of Miriam)
12 - Kathleen Shearer? (Daughter of Miriam)
13 - Mabel Shearer? (Daughter of Miriam)
14 - (Arthur) John Griffin (Son of Ernest)
15 - Dorothy Griffin (Daughter of Ernest)

This revised list would make some sense, as No.1 was originally proposed as George, and supposing the picture is circa 1921, George would be just 16 and No.1 does look older than 16, plus No.1 is holding what I think is the only young boy of the children and Ernest and Sarah Jane had Arthur John in 1921 so that fits also. Though what the revised list doesn't include is George, is he really just not included in the photograph - the newspaper cutting from the time of his death does include Photography as one of his interests, maybe he is on this side of the camera?

One other query, I've never seen a picture of Charlotte Elsie Griffin nee Pittock before, not sure if Helen is able to verify if this look like a young Charlotte?

Thanks
Shane

The line of Ernest and Sarah Jane has been a puzzling one but is starting to now be come clearer.

Here is the marriage of their eldest child and only son Arthur, who I have come to know always went by his middle name John:

Arthur John Griffin
Sylvia Jenny Webster
Jul-Aug-Sep 1956, Gosport

I have then also been able to locate the following entries in the 'Eastern Daily Press notices and personal messages' website:

JOHN GRIFFIN

Originally printed on August 1, 2009 in the Eastern Daily Press.

GRIFFIN JOHN, aged 87, passed away on July 29th, 2009, at Halvergate House, North Walsham, beloved husband of Jenny, wonderful father to Penny and Peter, cherished father-in-law of Louise and loving grandfather of Milly and Bel. Funeral service at Cromer Parish Church, at 11 a.m., on Friday, August 14th, followed by burial at St. James', Southrepps. Flowers or donations to Friends of the Earth to Cromer and District Independent Funeral Services, 32 West Street, Cromer, NR27 9DS.

JENNY GRIFFIN

Originally printed on September 18, 2013 in the Eastern Daily Press.

GRIFFIN JENNY on September 14th, peacefully at the home she loved aged 92 years. Wonderful mother to Penny and Peter, beloved mother-in-law to Louise and loving grandmother to Milly and Bel. Reunited with her adored husband, John. Funeral service at Cromer Parish Church on Thursday, September 26th at 1p.m, followed by burial at St. James Church, Southrepps. Flowers or donations if wished with the cheques payable to Friends of the Earth c/o Cromer and District Funeral Services, 32 West Street, Cromer

Thanks
Shane

Hi All,

I think it would be fair to say that this afternoon was pretty special. Why? Well, let me tell you.

This afternoon I was fortunate enough met up and spend some time with Brian and Caroline, children of the late Winnie Griffin, and they very kindly took the time to share with me some of their family treasures - I am very appreciative of this, and in addition Brian and Caroline have kindly agreed that I may share some items here for the wider family to enjoy.

Firstly, here is a newspaper cutting from the time of George Griffins passing in 1961:

Next, here is a lovely picture, and in it we see Amy Huckins, Miriam Shearer, Winnie Griffin and George Griffin:

Now, here is something quite special, here are some pictures of the family bible with hand written entries (probably Ellen's) dating from 1886 onwards:

And now, something very nice indeed, a rather lovely group family photograph which includes Ellis and Ellen! (the first time I have seen them, and think it will be the first time for many others also)

The date of the photograph and identities of everyone are not yet 100%, so help is requested if anyone can add some information, current suggestions are as follows:

1 - George Griffin
2 - Miriam Shearer (nee Griffin)
3 - Mabel Griffin
4 - Florence Griffin
5 - Ernest Griffin
6 - Sarah Jane Griffin (nee Phillips, Ernest's Wife)
7 - Arthur Griffin
8 - Charlotte Elsie Griffin (possibly still Charlotte Elsie Pittock at time of this photograph, later to marry Arthur)
9 - Ellen Griffin
10 - Ellis Griffin

Now, the children are not yet clear, and somewhat depends on the date of the photograph, although using birth dates of the grandchilden of Ellen and Ellis perhaps this photograph is from around 1921 when 5 grandchildren had been born (5 are pictured):

11 - Amy Shearer? (Daughter of Miriam)
12 - Kathleen Shearer? (Daughter of Miriam)
13 - Mabel Shearer? (Daughter of Miriam)
14 - (Arthur) John Griffin (Son of Ernest)
15 - Dorothy Griffin (Daughter of Ernest)

Some more work required here!

I'm sure all will agree that all of these are lovely to see, and similarly I'm sure all will appreciate them kindly being shared for the wider enjoyment across the family - once again, thank you Brian and Caroline.

Shane

In the most recent post I had noted in tree diagram that Charles and Bertha had a son, William Charles Titchener, born 1920 and who married Winifred Prescott in 1946.

I've also now found the following entry in the online Oxford Mail announcements from September 2011:

Winifred Titchener

Published in the Oxford Mail on 8 September 11

Titchener Winifred (Win) On September 5th 2011 peacefully in hospital after a long illness aged 85 years. Dearly beloved wife of the late Bill, sorely missed by her daughter, Carol, loving nan to Mark, Donna and Suzanne, loving granny to her great grand children whom she adored. She will be sadly missed by all. Funeral service at 11.30am on Thursday 15th September at Oxford Crematorium

So the reference to grandchildren and great grandchildren implies that this line has several living descendants.

Hello Cath

I'm pleased to hear you're moving to Stonesfield.  It's a great village and I'm sure you'll be very happy here.

Like Helen,  George was my great uncle and Ellis my great grandfather.  George did indeed build the house next to Helen's old house, Green Furlong, but Ellison is his his second house.  It is to the right of a house built by Ernest Griffin,  his brother. As you can see, Ellis spawned a house building dynasty which, no doubt, would have included the eldest brother, Harold, had he not been killed in WW1.

Ellis lived in Protestant House where the brothers (and sisters) grew up. How Ellis came to be a builder in the first place is an interesting tale involving his mother, Prudence,  who is the Oliver connection to the Griffin family. 

Best wishes 

Russell 

Hello Cath

What a great story.  Not often you can move into a new home and have access to all it's history - what a bonus.  If you were married in Woodstock does that mean that you are local?  If so, you may find that you also have an Oliver ancestor somewhere in your family history - now that would be spooky.

All good wishes for health and happiness in your new home.

Linda

Hi Helen,

Sorry for the delayed response, some super sleuthing there, interesting to see the IGI records coming in very useful, and your tenacity has certainly focused in on the crux of the various possibilities - for sure I think the notes about Worcestershire from Miriam will certainly relate to some event or occurrence that was passed down through the generations - and here is the fun (and sometimes the frustration) of genealogy trying to figure our exactly what and when and who it relates to

Much of this thread has included references to the memories of Miriam and I'm pleased to be able to add a small picture of Miriam into the thread, the only one I have seen to date:

It is taken from the ever brilliant Stonesfield Millennium book, the book actually dates it as pre WW1, but it looks to me as of Miriam is wearing a wedding ring so I would suggest it ma actually be after 1915 when she married.

Very nice to put a face to Miriam, and thanks to Russell for confirming this is indeed Mariam.

Thanks!
Shane

Hi Shane,

The story of little Annie is very sad - as you say, you never know what you'll find when you start looking into family history. Lovely photo of Alice and Ronald - I suppose she is my dad's second cousin and perhaps he remembers her - perhaps he has also heard the story of Annie. I am going to have to think carefully about what to show him and what to talk about when I visit next month, as it can all be quite overwhelming! However, he really enjoyed reading Miriam's memoirs, and is really looking forward to reading the whole thing which Russell has kindly offered to copy for us.

MYSTERY CONTINUED . . . 

Regarding the mystery of Samuel and Sarah Griffin - here is my synopsis, and I may have to be happy to leave it as a mystery!

It turns out that there were 2 Samuel Griffins christened days apart in April 1757!

1: April 10^th 1757 Samuel born to Thomas and Anne of Stonesfield, as shown by Shane's record

2: April 13^th 1757 Samuel born to to Richard and Grace in Kidderminster - from Family Search records Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C04395-6 , System Origin: England-EASy , GS Film number: 435261 ,Reference ID: item 2

And 2 Samuel Griffins who married Sarahs at about the same time and not that far from each other – what are the odds of that!

1. Samuel and Sarah Tidmarsh in Oxford, in 1787, as shown by Shane's record

(Sarah Tidmarsh christened Chipping Norton 27th May 1766 -  from Family Search records Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C02016-2 , System Origin: England-ODM , GS Film number: 95229)

2. Samuel Griffin married Sarah Griffin [Davis] on Oct. 10, 1784 in Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire  (Terry Griffin has found this in parish and government records, I can't find them myself)

(Sarah Davis christened in Chipping Norton 14th May  1769 - from Family Search records Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C02016-2 , System Origin: England-ODM , GS Film number: 95229)

And they had two families -

1. one in Stonesfield which is likely to be Samuel and Sarah Tidmarsh:

children: 1789 James, 1793 Samuel

2. and one in Hilperton Wiltshire (4 miles from Steeple Aston) which is likely to be Samuel and Sarah Davis:

children:  1789 Catherine, 1793 Samuel, 1801 William, 1808 Elizabeth

But which Samuel was the one in Stonesfield? It is possible that it was the Worcestershire one, according to family stories, but perhaps we'll never know!

Apologies for going on about this - but I find it fascinating! Also, apologies if I have got any of my facts wrong or missed something glaringly obvious!.

All the best,

Helen.

Hi All,

I think it's probably important to note that anyone starting or thinking about starting to look into their family history should remember that aswell as finding stories that will make them smile or make them proud, there is also the opportunity if discovering sadder stories.

I have taken a quick look into the line down from William Griffin, brother of Ellis, and in a very short period of research the above is well demonstrated.

We can find William on the 1911 census, married and with 3 children, Arthur, George and Bertha.

Tracking back we find William married Emily Bishop in 1889, and in the little village that I grew up and lived in for 20+ years, Northleigh, so this lovely old church is where they will have married:

The census also shows that their son Arthur was baptised in Northleigh, Emily's home parish, and then the other children were born in Stonesfield.

The census also shows that aswell and the 3 living children, William and Emily had had 3 other children who were not living at the time of the 1911 census.

A further look back at the Northleigh parish records helps identify one of these three children; Annie Elizabeth who was born in 1892:

Obviously knowing that Annie had died between 1892 and 1911 I searched the death indexes and found her death registered in 1895.

By exploring historical resources outside of basic census, birth, marriage and death framework we are also able to discover just what happened to young Annie, as reported in the Jackson's Oxford Journal, Saturday September 28, 1895:

A very very sad accident indeed.

I also followed the descendants of William down the line of his first son William and through his marriage and onto his children, and I believe the outline tree looks like this:

Specifically regarding Alice R Griffin I found the following marriage record:

Name: Alice R Griffin
Spouse Surname: Gamage
Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1951
Registration district: Ploughley
Inferred County: Oxfordshire

In the online Oxford Mail announcements I found the following on the 22 December 2011

Ron and Rose GAMAGE Congratulations to you both on your Diamond Wedding. With love from all your family xxx

Marriage registered Oct - Dec 1951, Diamond Wedding Anniversary Announcement December 2011 - So the lady in the picture, who I suggest must go by her middle name Rose rather than Alice, is actually the great-granddaughter of Prudence, surely?

Lovely photograph.

Thanks,
Shane

The talk of Ernest Frederick Oliver earlier reminded me of another fabulous old picture in the Stonesfield Millennium book.

Ernest plus 3 other Oliver men are in a picture of the Stonesfield Choir circa 1909 - if you fancy a look click on the 'Picture Gallery' menu option above and I have added it there, hover over the picture for names.

Thanks,
Shane

Nice to hear from you Russell - I haven't seen you for probably more than 40 years!! And I never realised we were all second cousins when we were young either! 

Shane my Dad is absolutely delighted with the excerpts of Miriam's Memoirs I printed and sent to him - and he would very much like a copy of the entire 65 page document. Did you photograph it all? If not what do you think would be the best way to try and get a full copy? Do you have a copy Russell, as it's your Gran's? 

Dad also really liked the story about you showing Albert the football photo, Shane, and he told me that Albert was one of just a couple of men in the Stonesfield team who were such good players that they could have had a professional career (but it wasn't very lucrative at the time, so not very appealing as a career choice I suppose!).

You're right, Russell, Terry Griffin who I found through myheritage smart matches had no idea about our Worcestershire mystery, and I only found his Worcestershire records because I was browsing around his site wondering if another branch of the family might know something more. I have no idea what to do next, but it seems a little more than a coincidence - tantalising - I wonder!! 

All the best,

Helen.

Hi Shane - this is very puzzling! Great to see your information, many thanks. I see you've had a look at the tree I mentioned already.

Terry Griffin got back to me and has sent me a pdf of all his work from William Griffin in Worcester in the mid seventeenth century with sources. I will send it to you and you can have a good peruse! He has quite a lot of Stonesfield descendants there, including me (!) and a few mistakes, but not bad going really!His entire database is now 17,500 (!!!) so he is pretty keen - but there will be room for lots of mistakes too.

This is where the mystery lies: You have the marriage in Oxford, in 1787 of the parents of Samuel (born 1793 in Stonesfield) as Sarah (Tidmarsh) with Samuel Griffin (b 1757) . 

Terry has a Samuel Griffin born in 1757 in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, who died in Stonesfield 1836. He married Sarah Griffin [Davis] on Oct. 10, 1784 in Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire, England. Sarah was born in 1762 in Steeple Aston and died in 1840 in Stonesfield, Oxfordshire. 

HHMM!!!! I am now way out of my depth trying to untangle or verify all this!!

Happy days!

Helen.

Hi Helen,

Re:
A Worcestershire mystery!

I've just taken another glance back through the Parish Records for the direct line back from Arthur.

So, step by step ..

1. Here is Arthur's baptism in 1826 in Combe, son of Samuel and Mary

2. Here is the marriage of Samuel and Mary Harris in 1823, again in Combe, details Samuel from Stonesfield, Mary from Combe (otp = of this Parish)

3. Here we have the baptism of Samuel in 1793, in Stonesfield, son of Samuel and Sarah

4. The next one was a little more work as it was not in Stonefield. The marriage of Samuel and Sarah Tidmarsh was in Oxford, in 1787.

5. Then we have the baptism of Samuel in Stonesfield in 1757, son of Thomas and Ann.

6. Then we have he marriage of Thomas and Ann in Stonesfield, stating both of Stonesfield

7. Then we have the baptism of Thomas in 1715, in Stonesfield, son of Peter and Mary

8. Then the marriage of Peter and Mary Woolridge in 1713, Peter of Eynsham and Mary of Stonesfield, but married in Shipton-under-Wychwood

So to cut a long story short, I've not seen any Worcestershire facts in there so still puzzled by the Worcestershire references in Mariams notes - though - the birthplace of Arthur's Gramdmother Sarah Tidmarsh is not clear, I have not found that baptism record, perhaps she was from Worcestershire???

Her death is probably this Sarah Griffin in 1839 in Stonesfield, aged 74, which would make her birth around 1765.

The Samuel in my notes above born 1757 does have a death record in Stonesfield in 1836, aged 80.

Some of the links and relation on that online tree do seem to conflict with the above so would certainly be good of you get a response with some sources etc.

Ok, sorry no mysteries unravelled ... yet!

Shane

A Worcestershire mystery!

I wonder if I have found a clue about the story Miriam told in her memoirs of her grandfather coming from Worcestershire. It turns out that her grandfather Arthur Griffin (Prudence Oliver's husband) is on the census as born in Stonesfield and he is there at every census. Also his father and mother Samuel and Mary (Harris) were in Stonesfield all along.

However, looking a bit further back to Arthur's grandfather, we may possibly find the answer.

There is a family tree on myheritage called Griffin Web Site \ Terrys Family - The Griffin Line and he has listed the grandparents for Arthur Griffin as coming  from Kidderminster, Worcestershire! I have sent him a message asking how he found this out, but I don't know if he will reply.

It could be that Miriam's gt gt grandfather Samuel b 1757 was the one who walked from Worcestershire to Stonesfield after a family farm failed.

This is what is on the family tree. As I said, I don't know if/how it's verified:

Samuel Griffin b 1757 Kidderminster d 1836 (parents Richard Griffin b. 1717 and Grace Perrins) 

Samuel married: Sarah Davies b 1762 d 1840

Their son: Samuel Griffin, born in Stonesfield in 1793 - agricultural labourer - married Mary Harris 1801 - 1845 died in Stonesfield 1862 (a perfect match)

Their son: James Griffin 1835 - 1873 - (the youngest sibling of Arthur) it seems he was born in Hardley Oxfordshire, so that's a bit odd.

I don't really know how to take this any further - so, over to you Shane, if you have the inclination!

Cheers,

Helen.

I think this little tree diagram represents our latest position in discovering this line:

Prudence Oliver b.1835 d.1898
Arthur Griffin b.1826 d.1891

 Ellis Griffin b.1864 d.1940
 Ellen Collier b.1867 d.1950

  Harold Griffin b.1888 d.1917 Did Not Marry

  Ernest Griffin b.1889 d.1962 m.1916
  Sarah Jane Phillips b.1890 d.1973

   Dorothy M Griffin b.1921 Living?
   Arthur J Griffin b.1920 Living?
   Margaret Griffin b.1923 Living?
   Marion I Griffin b.1926 Living?

  Miriam Griffin b.1891 d.1980 m.1915
  Duncan Shearer b.1890 d.1929

   Amy Helen Shearer b.1916 d.1982 m.1938 Leslie F Huckins
   Kathleen Florence Mabel Shearer b.1920 d.2009 m.1945 Albert Hanks
   Mabel Mildred Shearer b.1921 d.1987 m.1946 John R M Hewitt
   Harold Griffin Shearer b.1922 d.1996 m.1946 Grietje Woldhuis
   Maisie Victoria Shearer b.1926 Living? m. 1947 Ronald A Wastie

  Florence Griffin b.1894 d.1976 m.1936
  George Prior b.1880 d.1972

  Mabel Griffin b.1898 d.1994 Did Not Marry

  Arthur Griffin b.1903 d.1951 m.1925
  Charlotte Elsie L Pittock b.1903 d.1991

   Harold Griffin b.1928 Living
   Lorna R Griffin b.1930 d.1993
   Colin Griffin b.1936 d.1944

  George Griffin b.1905 b.1961
  Phyllis M Porter b.1910 b.1941 m.1931

   Philip G Griffin b.1933 Living
   Gilliam M Griffin b.1936 Living

  Winifred Dora Walker b.1919 d.2015 m.1945
 
   Caroline W E Griffin b.1947 Living

 Harry Alfred Goves b.1912 b.1943 M.1938

   Michael J Goves b.1938 Living
   Bryan H Goves b.1942 Living

Hi All,

It's a slight aside from the pure family history, but I thought it worth mentioning ..

.. the probate documentation of Ernest Edward Griffin includes the address 14 Bradmore Road. This is North Central Oxford, Summertown, just off the Banbury Road where the houses are large, its a privileged area.

Well, I did a search on that address to discover that it is the registered business address of the company 'Richard Hawkins Ltd. Some of you may be familiar with Richard Hawkins and his work. he's pretty high profile, some might say controversial!

Looking a little further I found an online interview that included 'Richard Dawkins and his wife Lalla Ward, an actress turned illustrator, live in a large, pale-brick house in Summertown, north Oxford'

So, I feel pretty sure that the house that Ernest lived in indeed now the home of THE Richard Hawkins, so there's a little something.

Shane

Hi Helen,

Re: your question:

On another topic, does anyone know anything about Kathy Hanks? Is she still alive? I know Albert died a few years ago, but I can't find out any news of Kathy. 

I just discovered this record:

Name:
MS Kathleen Florence Mabel Hanks

Gender:
Female

Age:
89

Birth Date:
1920

Death Date:
4 Jun 2009

and here is an entry from the Oxford Mail, 6 May 13:

Albert Arthur Hanks

HANKS Albert Arthur Formerly of Stonesfield died peacefully in the Cedar Court Care Home, Witney on 1st May 2013 aged 96. A dear Father to Stephen, Norma, Daphne, Sheila and Robin. He will be very greatly missed by all of the family. Funeral at Stonesfield Methodist Chapel Tuesday 14th May at 10 30.

Thanks,
Shane

Hi there,

I have just caught up with all this fascinating thread on my branch of the family - Arthur Griffin of Colinwood was my grandfather and I grew up in that house. I thought I should post this about George Griffin re his children as I know Barb and Shane were trying to figure it out! I found the following in the Stonesfield Slate actually, as I wasn't at all clear myself!

"Winifred was a widow with two sons when she arrived (in Stonesfield), and married George Griffin, a widower with two children. Winnie and George had a daughter, Caroline."

That explained what I already knew about him, which was that he married someone called Cissie and they had two children called Philip and Jillian - I don't have their dates of birth though. Hope this helps! 

On another topic, does anyone know anything about Kathy Hanks? Is she still alive? I know Albert died a few years ago, but I can't find out any news of Kathy. 

All the best,

Helen Graham (nee Griffin - living in Edinburgh)

Barb Silvester wrote:

---

Harold married a Dutch girl after the war.  She was called Margaret (or Marga) but her Dutch name may have been something like Gretchen (or Gretcha). 

---

You were good with your recollection again Barb!

I found this picture on the internet at this address http://www.eindhoveninbeeld.com/foto.php?foto=7415

The description for the picture is as follows:
Mijn moeder is het meisje op de bovenste rij aan de rechter kant. Haar naam is Grietje Woldhuis en in 1942 was zij 16 jaar oud en werkte bij Philips. Mijn vader (een Engels soldaat) was in 1945 in de oorlog in Eindhoven. Mijn moeder en vader zijn getrouwd in 1946 en wonen in Engeland. Grietje Shearer-Woldhuis is nu 81 jaar oud, zij wonen in een dorp bij Oxford, Engeland. Vakanties brengen we altijd door in Eindhoven.

The translation of the description is roughly:
'My mother is the girl on the top row on the right side. Her name is Jill Woldhuis and in 1942 she was 16 years old and worked at Philips. My father ( an English soldier ) was in 1945 in the war in Eindhoven. My mother and father were married in 1946 and live in England . Jill Shearer - Woldhuis is now 81 years old , living in a village near Oxford , England'

I believe Grietje still lives in Stonesfield now, but not confirmed.

I'm wondering if Harold Griffin Shearer (Grietje's husband) maybe married twice, in the records I find a death for Harold Grffin Shearer in Shrewsbury in 1996, then also the death of a Mary Elizabeth Shearer in Shrewsbury in 2001 - or these may be completely unrelated people.

Thanks,
Shane

Hi Barb, All,

Thanks for those little clues there, really really helpful.

It seems that George Griffin was Win's second husband as I have been able to find a marriage in 1938 of a Harry Alfred Goves to Winifred Dora Walker, in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

I'm not yet sure of the Cirencester link, as I do know Harry A Goves was born in Witney, perhaps this is where Win is originally from or they were there for work - I will investigate that.

They were both living a Cranhams Lodge in Cirencester when they were married, which still exists now and is a B&B, http://www.cirencesterbandb.co.uk/

Following the marriage, and with the help if your info Barb, I was able to find the following births:

Michael J Goves - Oct-Nov-Dec 1939
Bryan H Goves - Oct-Nov-Dec 1942

What we find next appears to be quite sad; Harry's death in June 1943, aged 31, just 6 months after the birth of Bryan.

Name: Harry A Goves
Birth Date: abt 1912
Date of Registration: Jun 1943
Age at Death: 31
Registration district: Oxford
Inferred County: Oxfordshire

I was wondering if his death may have been WW2 related, but I am yet to find any evidence of that.

Here is the 1911 census showing Harry, yet to be named it would appear, at just 1 month old:

The census shows him and his family living at 36 West End, in Witney - this house:

Then next in 1945 we find the marriage of Win to George Griffin:

Winifred D Goves
George Griffin
Oct-Nov-Dec 1945
Chipping Norton District

Then, with the mother surname of Walker (was expecting Goves) we find the birth of Caroline in 1947:

Name: Caroline W E Griffin
Mother's Maiden Surname: Walker
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1947

Middle initials W E for Winifred Ellen perhaps after mother and Grandmother (George's mother). No marriage or current location identified for Caroline.

So, a few more bits of the jigsaw there.

Thanks,
Shane

Hi Barb,

There is very little in Miriam's document about Arthur and George other than confirming ages at death and reasons for death, the fact that those various houses had been built by the brothers was knowledge gathered from other means even.

I have been looking into figuring out the marriages of all the brothers and sisters and identifying children. Here is how far I have got, but still some gaps:

Harold we know did not marry and died in WW1.

Ernest moved away to Oxford in the 1940's so I'm not sure if you would have seen or known much about him and his family, as yet I can't find a marriage and have only picked up the name of a wife as being Sarah Jane Griffin from his probate documents. I believe they had children aswell, possibly a son called John, two daughters also (only possible leads there though).

Miriam we have got into more detail above.

Florence married George Prior and I don't believe they had any children, I believe they lived at Protestant House after Ellis and Ellen had passed away (maybe with Mabel aswell?).

Mabel did not marry as far as I know.

Arthur married Charlotte Elsie Louisa Pittock and had three children, one being Colin who died tragically young, as far as I know their eldest son Harold is still alive (Helen's Dad). After Arthur died young himself, Charlotte (or Aunty Elsie as I think she was more commonly known) remarried Hedley Barrett, who himself had lost his first wife (Mabel Hunt, Daughter of Fanny Hunt nee Oliver). Both Aunty Elsie and Heldey are buried in Stonesfield with their first spouses.

George married Winifred Dora Goves/Gover/Groves who we know passed away just this year aged 96. I think she was a good few years younger than George when they married. You had mentioned a daughter Barb, Caroline, the birth of whom I can't trace at the moment despite several and varied searches. Were there any other children do you recall?, did Caroline marry do you know?

Any updates or advances on any of this gratefully received .....

Thanks,
Shane

Hi Shane:

Ahhhh!  Now you mention it, I think I did know that Rachel was her middle name.  Yes, Celia Rachel sounds familiar, but I think she was always called Rachel by family and friends.  It's a good job you're so tenacious, Shane, and never give up until you get the right information.

I hope you get more sunny weather like you had on Friday.  With that clear blue sky it must have been a perfect day.

Barb

Well Stonesfield was bathed in glorious warm sunshine yesterday as you can see below. I have added a photograph or two below of Miriam's gravestone, the lady whom we must thank for having written down her memories more than 50 years ago and therein allowing us to enjoy the stories in great detail now.

Thanks,
Shane 

Hi All,

One excerpt from Mariam's document that I find particularly nice involves Harold, who we know lost his life in WW1, and it reads as follows:

In Canada, Winnipeg, where my two elder brothers had gone in 1911, in their early 20's and with their knowledge of work, in that new country they were never idle.

I went out there 2 years later. One day we were out walking (my eldest brother and I), he said 'I want you to see two cinemas down Main Street, the Rex and Strand'.

When we got there he said 'Aren't they lovely'. I said 'Yes, but just cinemas'. But he said 'Just stand back and look at the frontage, the decorative work, flowers, leaves, scrolls etc, all done in plaster'. I said, 'Well, its lovely'. But he said 'Ern and I did all that' (Ernest was my other brother). But I said 'You couldn't do that'. Well, he said, 'We did, and one day someone will say, two Englishmen came out here and did that lovely work'

Well, just think how far my father's talents had gone, both sides of the Atlantic all because of a kind lady (my Grandmother) helping to the save the life of a sick man. If only she could have seen the result of her kindness, she would indeed be happy.

Indeed, and along with all the other buildings around Stonesfield, that seemingly simple act of kindness by Prudence did have far reaching effects.

The following photograph shows the 'Rex' in 1913 (taken from a newspaper) and although a poor quality image you can make out some of the ornate details. This seems to be the only picture that exists from this period.

Sadly though, the glory that you see in the picture above no longer exists as after years of neglect the building was torn down some 5 or 6 years ago.

It seems that between 1912 and it being torn down it had a number of names including 'The Epic' and also its seems a 'modern' facade was built covering the more ornate original frontage.

Some photographs that were taken prior to demolition perhaps give a closer peek at the work Harold and Ernest must have work so hard to achieve.

I'm sure that over the year many many people did stop, look and enjoy the detailed work that those two Englishmen, sadly though, not any more.

More pictures taken just prior to the demolition can be seen here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/christiansphotos/sets/72157604712641218

Thanks,
Shane

Shane and I obviously writing messages at the same time so this is in reply to Shane's latest message:

Christine also meets up with us for coffee sometimes (usually Hilltop at Ramsden) and I'm sure she's on one of the video's too.

You're going to be busy Barb scanning through all the videos to see if you can spot us all.

Linda

Ahhhh yes, good spot there Linda, sorry, tried to do it quickly whilst eating lunch and look where it got me!

Hopefully the below now looks better!

Another connection here is a lady called Christine Partlett, I recall she is a descendant (her (great) grandfather I think) is Lobra Griffin, I think you went to school or worked with Christine didn't you Barb? - she came along to the second Family History Day. Her Dad Ernest Partlett is quite famed for a hand sketched map of Stonesfield he did in 1997 showing were everybody lived in Stonesfield in the 1920s, Oliver's and Griffin's everywhere!

Mary, daughter of Grace and Wilf, also came along to the first day, there are a few seconds of her in the video of that day too (wearing a red coat).

Thanks,
Shane

Hello Shane

Yes, I know Cobblers Mount.  This was Jack and Julie's home.  Julie was still living there and a few years ago she hosted a huge family gathering for us all in her lovely garden.

The family tree does make sense but you've got the wrong Mary marrying Gabriel!!  William Augustus sister was Maria Selina Oliver born 1859.  She married Gabriel Griffin on the 29th April 1882. (The witness names are Daniel Harris and Martha Baker - just in case this ties in with anything else).  They had four children: Cecelia (Sissy), Lobra, Fanny and William Wallace.  Maria died shortly after giving birth to another child in 1891.

I'm beginning to wonder if there is anyone left in Stonesfield and Finstock that we're not related to!

Great stuff - thanks - Linda

Thanks for the details about Elsie's marriage, this is all new information for me to add to my records. Her mothers name is wrongly transcribed - it was Whitley and Elsie was born in 1884 not the 'estimated' 1887!   I'm not sure when they returned to England.  Sadly George Thompson died.  The story I was told is that George had to go to settle the sale of some land (not sure whether it was Northamptonshire or Lincolnshire) and he had to cycle there.  Before we went he had cut his hand and while he was away the cut turned septic and he died of blood poisoning.  Elsie married again in 1929 to Todd Milne and they lived in Chadlington.

I've got some photo's of them all in Canada but I am going to start a new post on this as soon as I've gathered all my information together as I'm interested in why they chose to go to Vancouver Island and maybe between us all we may come up with an answer.  

With regard to the Griffin's in Stonesfield there were some on my branch but whether they were related to Miriam I don't know.  It may be that Elsie and Miriam were just friends or may be they were related in some way.  These are the details:

Maria Oliver (she was Elsie's Aunt and my Great Aunt) married Gabriel Griffin in 1882 in Stonesfield - his father was also called Gabriel.  Their daughter Fanny married William Ewart Yeatman a stonemason from Combe.  Fanny and William's daughter Grace married Wilfred P. Griffin in 1936 in Stonesfield - Wilf was a plasterer and  his parents were Mary Ann (nee Davis) and George Griffin.  

What a lot to unravel.  

Bye for now - Linda

Hi All,

I had previously included on the tree diagram that Mariam's brother Harold had died in 1917, and as Barbara had picked up this was indeed due to WW1.

The following extracts from his Attestation Papers show that he signed up in Canada on April 8th 1916, to serve in the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force.

The papers go on to give a description of Harold, his age, height, complexion, hair and eye colour  - you can almost build a picture in your imagination.

During WW1, the Canadian Army authorised the formation of 260 infantry battalions to serve in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, Harold served in the 44th Battalion.

The 44th disembarked in France on 12 August 1916, where it fought as part of the 4th Canadian Division in France and Flanders.

The well documented Battle of Passchendaele took place on the Western Front, from July to November 1917. More specifically a battle called 'The Second Battle of Passchendaele' commenced on the 26th October and went through to 10th November.  15,654 soldiers from the Canadian Forces were lost in that battle alone, and that number included Harold, Killed in Action, 28th October 1917.

Harold had been living in Canada for 4 or 5 years when he signed up, but Stonesfield never forgot one their sons and his sacrifices are remembered for all time on two village memorials.

Firstly, in the old school where Harold would have attended as a young boy:

And on the village memorial:

Another ones of our boys lost to WW1 but always remembered.

I believe there is/was a large picture of Harold that hung on the wall of Protestant Cottage for many years, I wonder/hope that it might still exist, it would be nice to put a face to this hero.

So just coming full circle on the story or Miriam and Elsie travelling away together, it appears they both married in Canada, had a family in Canada and eventually returned to England - but also, both would lose a brother, Elsie her brother Philip, Mariam her brother Harold.

Thanks.
Shane

Hi Linda,

I'm still trying to track the journey home of Elsie, George and Jack, or even their entry in the 1921 Candian census if they were still there at that time, though I have been able to locate a marriage date, as follows:

Name: George Frederick Thompson 
Event Type: Marriage 
Event Date: 15 Apr 1916 
Event Place: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 
Age: 29 
Birth Year (Estimated): 1887 
Birthplace: Rothwell Northamptonshire, England 
Marital Status: Bachelor 
Father's Name: Charles Thompson 
Mother's Name: Ada Marriott 
Spouse's Name: Elsie Oliver 
Spouse's Age: 29 
Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1887 
Spouse's Birthplace: Stonesfield Oxfordshire, England 
Spouse's Marital Status: Spinster 
Spouse's Father's Name: William Augustus Oliver 
Spouse's Mother's Name: Elizabeth Mutley 
Affiliate Film Number: B11371 
Certificate Type: License 

Very sorry to read of the death of Julie, Elsie's daughter-in-law I certainly do remember meeting Ian, he posted a hello here on the website - I hope Ian and all the family are coping as best they can at this difficult time.

Thanks,
Shane

 Hi Shane and all the Stonesfield Olivers.. Im loving this research and all the memories coming to the surface in Stonesfield.how pleasant it is to read of a family of brothers being such talented and capable housebuilders. The two detached houses are both well proportioned certainly blend in well in your beautiful village , but what was the brother thinking of when he built the bungalow with such an out of scale porchway in frontof it.Does anyone know if the bungalow had already been built and the pillared porchway added later.It looks as if it has been built later and squeezed in between the two dormer windows.Would a builder go to the expence of having those pillars made to go on the front of a bungalow.It looks as if they may have been taken from the front of a much grander building.Does anyone know if there was a manor house or mansion in the area which may have been demolished at the time.Im sure not knocking it. In fact its one heck of an architectural statement.Id love to see a current photo of it if it still exists.I must get down there in the summer for a looksee.......Phil from ****ermouth.