General Chat

The person below is a good candidate for the George Smith being sought [+], but tracing complementary evidence has been difficult so far:

Dave.

[+] "A POTATO TRANSACTION.-George Smith, Potato merchant, Abbey Green, sued Mrs. Young, potato merchant, Kingsmead Square, for the value of potatoes sold ... Mr. Knight stated that the defendant was the daughter the late Mr. William Rufus Crook ... Mrs. Cryer, the defendant's sister, was not in the defendant's premises on his behalf looking after his interests ..."

Bath Chronicle & Weekly Gazette, 5 August 1916

George Smith 1877–1956
Birth 23 JAN 1877 • 22 Minshall Street, Mount Pleasant, Fenton, Stoke Upon Trent, Staffordshire

Update - I've since traced a newspaper report for the 1931 marriage, and the Lilian Leah Crook appears to be the *niece* of Brian's Lilian Leah Crook (and is in the Ancestry tree that I mentioned):

"Mr. Arthur Donald Shellard, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Shellard, of West Avenue, Oldfield Park, Bath was married on Tuesday to Miss Lillian Leah Crook, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Crook, of 35, Kingsmead Street, Bath, and grand-daughter of the late William Rufus and Leah Crook ..."

Dave.

Will do - many thanks.

Dave.

Dave - unless you're in contact with Brian in the 'real world', it best to contact him by clicking on his name to send him a personal message. Assuming he still uses the same linked email address, GR will let him know that you are trying to contact him.

Since he last posted in 2010, at least 2 significant collections have come on line
1911 census and more recently the 1939 Register.

Brian,

Long time no see ! I saw your letter to the Derby Evening Telegraph in 2003 and found it again whilst looking for something else a day or so ago.

I've since traced what I presume is your tree on Ancestry but didn't see this marriage for your father's birth mother - are you aware of it ?:

"SHELLARD-CROOK.-August 3rd, at St. James's Church, by the Rev. W. White, Arthur Donald Shellard, only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Shellard, of 43, West Avenue, Oldfield Park. Bath, to Lilian Leah Crook, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Crook, 35, Kingsmead Street, Bath."

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Saturday 8 August 1931

Name: Arthur D Shellard
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1931
Registration district: Bath
Inferred County: Somerset
Spouse: Lilian L Crook
Volume Number: 5c
Page Number: 1157

Regards,

Dave.

Lovely news Brian, I am so glad you have some answers and hope the photos etc arrive safely and give you hours of pleasure.

How nice that Christine was so happy to talk with you and I bet she was as delighted as you that you have a link now.

Will let you know how I get on if and when o.h.. decides to talk more with his own father, re dates etc. I can't understand why his Dad and the family weren't more curious when the Gt Aunt let the cat out of the bag! Mind you, they are a funny lot!

Lizx

what a fantastic story.

Thank you for sharing it with us ...... and coming back to tell us the result!



sylvia

Hi Brian,

What wonderful l news , so pleased that you have finally traced your roots, it will be a long few days waiting for the postman to arrive, but will finally be worth it in the end.

So glad you have now got answers to the questions you wanted to know, the moral of the story is to never give up, well done :O)

How wonderful Brian, you must be thrilled. Your perserverance really paid off, however you must write down everything about your search, it would be a shame if you didn't.
I am just about to do the same, it only took three years to find my birth mother's family and that seemed forever!!.
best wishes
Sue

Hello Brian....thats a brilliant story, well done for not giving up, it just goes to show does'nt it:o))

jude :o)

A lovely tale.....you pleased that it had a happy ending!

Tracey

What a lovely story Brian.
Just goes to show that perseverance does pay off.
Good to know you have made contact with more family, and wish you and them well for the future.

Brian

That is fantastic, am so so pleased you have at last found your dad's family

Kim x

What a lovely story Brian, albeit bitter sweet.

I am so pleased for you that you have found your family.

Good luck for the future.

Susan
x

What a fantastic story Brian and what a brilliant ending to it all, although now this is just the beginning for you!!! Good luck with all in the future !
Rebecca x

What a fantastic story Brian and what a brilliant ending to it all, although now this is just the beginning for you!!! Good luck with all in the future !
Rebecca x

Wonderful Brian and to get photos. too! :O) I know how thrilled you must be,about your finds,as my Dad was given away when a baby, in 1913 and I'm part of the way to finding his parents

Best wishes to you
Mau xx

I really enjoyed reading your thread Brian..I was hoping it would have a good ending..I am so pleased for you....Well done for not giving up!!

Love Jules xx

I really enjoyed reading your thread Brian
My OH's Grand Father was adopted .... it took us years to find out who his
birth parents were
it exciting when it all comes together is 'nt it
Jenxx