My Family History

Stories of my ancestors and their friends and relations.

Me and my books

Greenwich Girl

Margaret Green was born in 1923 in Commerell Street, Greenwich. She began her working life as a milliner in Mayfair, a bought ledger clerk at John Lewis in Oxford Street, and a wages clerk at Merryweather's, the fire engine manufacturers in Greenwich. During the war, she volunteered as

My Family History

My Family Probate Log

I searched for all my ancestors' probate records, (grants of representation) and found only three. My family was not a wealthy one!

My Family History

My Family Graveyard Log

This is my burial log for my 62 most recent direct ancestors.

My Family History

#84 Richard Tetstall, abt 1775-1844

Richard Tetstall was one of my paternal 4 x great grandfathers. A great deal of mystery still surrounds him, which is frustrating as he was a builder of narrowboats, and I currently work part time in a boatyard! This is what I know about him so far. Richard was probably

My Family History

Emma Mary Nicholls (1925–1998)

Emma Mary Nicholls, was a friend of my mother and father's during WW2. She was always known as Nick.

My Family History

#4 John Joseph Green, 1898-1971

John Joseph Green was my paternal grandfather. He was always known as Jack. He was born on 22nd January 1898 in Deptford, Kent.

My Family History

Winifred Annie Mary Farmer, 1924-2023

Winifred Annie Mary Farmer, (also known as Win and Winnie), was a friend of my mother's.

My Family History

#5 Elizabeth Harvey Ellary, 1896-1986

My paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Harvey Ellary, was born on 24th April 1896 at St Nicholas, Deptford.

My Family History

#6 Henry Whitehead, 1890-1961

My grandfather Henry Whitehead was born in North Aston, a small hamlet in Oxfordshire, on 30th July 1890.

My Family History

#7 Annie Sear, 1891-1950

My grandmother Annie Whitehead, nee Sear (1891-1950)

My Family History

The story of Percy Page, 1929-1930

The tragic death of a toddler in 1930, and a questionable accusation of murder.

My Family History

Margaret Mellor and the Crested Eagle

I found several pictures of my mother's friend Margaret Mellor in our family albums. Here is part of the story of the friendship between the two families.

My Family History

The Eagle Cycling and Social Club, Charlton

My parents were members of the Eagle Cycling and Social Club, based at Church Lane, Charlton. The club was started in about 1940 by Tom Brown.

My Family History

#2 John George Green, 1923-2001

My father, John George Green, was born on 9th August 1923 in Deptford. He had two brothers, Dennis and Leslie, and a sister, Betty.

My Family History

Joan Smith nee Wesbroom, friend of my mother

Joan Margaret Wesbroom was born in Lambeth on 1st June 1923. She was a school friend of my mother's in Greenwich.

My Family History

#3 Margaret Helen Whitehead, 1923-2015

My mother lived in Greenwich throughout WW2, and celebrated VE day on the streets of London. She then served as a VAD nurse in India.

My Family History

My mother's German penpals - can you help?

Before the war, my mother Margaret Whitehead corresponded with a German girl, Christa Leidhold, and two young men from Germany.

My Family History

#12 James Whitehead, 1856-1941

My great grandfather James Whitehead was born on 7th April 1856 in North Aston, Oxfordshire.

My Family History

#16 John Joseph Green, 1846-1899

John Joseph Green, a boiler maker and iron rivetter, was my 2 x Great Grandfather. He was born on 9th October 1846 in New Street, Deptford, London.

My Family History

#14 Joseph Sear, 1863-1941

My great grandfather Joseph Sear was born on 13th October 1863, at 36 Clarendon Square, St Pancras.

My Family History

#17 Mary Ann Jane Dutton, 1848-1914

Mary Ann Jane Dutton was my 2nd great-grandmother. She was born in 1848 in Deptford, Kent, the second of eleven children.

My Family History

Drummer Arthur James Sear, 1895-1915

This is the story of my Great Uncle, Arthur James Sear, who was killed in the First World War.

My Family History

Philip Swan, Mary Swan, and Lillie Swan

For years, the oldest original photograph in my family collection was a mystery. Now I have passed it on to a direct descendant of the family.