On this site you will find a selection of faces and stories from the past. The black and white photographs were mostly taken before 1925, and they show people from various branches of Edwina's family tree. Edwina's research is ongoing... and looks as if it will never end. In the meantime, the site will try to keep up-to-date with the state of research so far. I shall post interesting snippets of information as I find them, and I shall add longer articles or more photos when I have time.

The picture on this page is of George (alias Toby) PHILPOTT. Click the 'PHILPOTT' button on the 'SURNAMES' menu, and then browse around the articles to find out more about his photograph.

Some ancestors, such as Henry CHURCH (see 'CHURCH' section) and Caroline Emily BUTLER (see 'PHILPOTT' section) are proving very hard to research. Any members of the public who happen to sight either of these individuals - please let us know! A birth or christening for Caroline in the Fulham area of London about 1873 would be an especially exciting find.

 If you enjoy finding out about family black sheep, we have three. William Henry HARLING (1825-1880) was a young man who just kept drifting into the workhouse and the courts. Find him in the 'PHILPOTT' section. William BROOM can also be found in that section. He killed a man in a fight in 1741. Slightly more recently, James HEARD, one of our in-laws, was transported to Australia in 1851. His crimes and fate are described in the 'TYLER' section.

The 1911 census continues to reveal some surprises. It seems strange to be researching people who were still with us until comparatively recently. At the other end of the time line, Abraham SHEPHERD has emerged from the Parish Registers, established in Stone-next Dartford with his wife and children by 1736.

The Irish connection continues to make some progress. The McGRATHs and Martha SHINE were in London by 1858, whereas William SHINE and his wife, Maria HANRAHAN may have stayed behind in Clonmel, County Tipperary.