This is a brief record of my ancestors - brought together not just by  me (Kathleen Wilson) but by various members of my family - those of blood and  those of the fabulous internet.

I started researching this tree in the last century (20th that is) - attending  an evening class with my late husband (Graham) at the local College.  My tutor, Diane  Lindsay of "Family Tree" magazine fame was all I needed to speed me on my way.  Not  only does she write brilliantly funny articles for the magazine - she is just  like that in the flesh.  Turns out that one of her kin is actually one of my secretaries!!

My brother, Francis (aka Paddy or Frank) has also written the family tree and has researched through to the 17th century via the internet and various parish visits.  He had university training and time to travel  around the country looking in all the right places, speaking to the right  people both in person and on the 'net'.  He has kindly recorded and shared that  information not only with me but with other relatives and friends worldwide.

I started pre-internet with visits to The Family History Centre in London, Lichfield Records Office etc. Old timers like me think I started it the fun way - some would say the hard way.  Obtaining written copies as far as possible, rather than word of mouth. Following the written records  One thing I can say is that mostly it as been exciting and completely  worthwhile.  As the internet goes off on a regular basis, I feel that keeping  the manuscript backup beats all modern technology.  Nothing quite like looking  at old documents and photographs (or copies thereof).

I hope you enjoy this very brief summary of our family....

Frank's record can be found at www.brighterdays.tribalpages.com.