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The British Newspaper Archive

British Newspaper Archive

Read about historical events at the time they were happening. Perhaps you'll discover your ancestor in their local newspaper?

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Hickson Family History Day

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Adrienne

Adrienne Report 27 Sep 2011 09:13

I have now found and arranged to meet all my dads 1st cousins who he has never seen.
Thomas William Hickson (chief Stoker on HMAS Sydney famed for its battle with the German Emden ship in Cocos Islands in 1914) and his wife Bertha (Bryant) had 6 children (plus 2 sets of stillborn twins) From these children there were 15 grandchildren only 2 of which were girls. My father and uncle (now 74 & 80) had only ever met one or two of their first cousins because the family did not keep in touch.
Last week we had a family history day and my dad & uncle have now met all but 2 of their cousins through my family history research and tracing lost relatives. We even hada showing of vintage cine film going back to to of them as babies in 1932 who were present!!!
People made the effort to come from long distances and it was an amazing day.
Tragically Thomas Hickson died in 1915 from an aneurism at Haslar Naval Hospital. His youngest child was one year old. The story was not passed down and most never knew of their grandfathers naval history or even seen photos of him. Amazingly, one of the cousins had photos so now we all know what he looked like!
Quite a story!!

Adrienne