Alkmonton, Derbyshire

Where it all began!

My great grandfather John Plant (known as Jack) was the grave digger at Mappleton church, St Mary. He married Francoise Chevenia, a coloured lady bought over from Mauritius to work as a maid at the Manor House in Mappleton. They lived at Rose Cottage for about 13 years. Their son, John Frederick (Freddie), was born after the war in 1920. Although... [more]

Ford Family in Hanbury 1700s on

We travelled from Sydney, Australia in 2006 to Hanbury, looking for traces of our Ford Family who had lived in the area around 1800.  Our particular ancestor was a convict, John Ford, "Alias Tonks", b. 1801. He was tried and sentenced to 7 years in the colony of NSW, and was never to return, his crime was that of pig stealing.[more]

Summer days

It was a happy childhood, I was born in Etwall in 1954 and our council house in Windmill Road is still our family home. Some of my fondest memories are the simple pleasures of life as a young lad in the 1950/60s.
Always keen to get home from Etwall Primary School (though teachers Miss Smith, Mrs Sanders, Mr Tomlin, Miss Cracksford... [more]

Mathers of Kniveton

My grandad was Thomas Richard Mather (b 1890) he married Emma Ann Twigg (b 1890 Parwich).  His mother kept the Post Office at Kniveton and was a dressmaker, Esther Mather.  His brothers were blacksmiths and wheelwrights.  His cottage was next to the Red Lion in James Lane.  I have several photos I can share.

Gwen

Is this the name of the ward?

I did my nurse training at Pastures Hospital back in 1981, and I think the name of this ward was Ridgeway (but I may be wrong) - it was a rehabilitation ward then. Sadly, these wards are no longer there, but I have some great memories.
Trisha

Mickleover Village 1955

In the photo of Mickleover Village 1955, things still hadn't changed by 1965 when my mum used to walk us to the village most days to buy food. I remember there was a shop keeper regularly standing in the doorway on the right of the photo. The shop to the left of that, with the bike outside was the Co op,... [more]

Evacuee during the Second World War

Dear Mr Lord,

My sister Jean Marie Church and I, Marie Elizabeth Church, attended Findern School for four years plus during the Second World War. I was almost 7 years old, my sister almost 6 years old.

As I recall, Miss Cassandra Sanders was Head Teacher. She was my mentor, friend and companion. She took me under her wing... [more]

Evacuees

I have just learnt that my aunt, Rhona Mortimer (her maiden name) and her sister Grace Mortimer were evacated to Darley Abbey during the Secopnd World War years. I think was only for 3 months. My dad Len Mortimer was evacuated nearby. Rhona would have been about 7 years old and Grace maybe 10 years. My dad would have been about... [more]