From: "Michael spencer" <mike@decc9.fsnet.co.uk> wrote: > > Hi all, > I am trying to locate, though I feel it is going to be a difficult task, > and maybe to late ,an Italian POW who worked the farms round central Derbyshire. > All I know is his name was Michael a young lad in his late teens or early twenties. > When my mother was a young girl of nine, the Italian POWs caught the bus/truck which > transported them to camp,( I no not where) from outside her house in the hamlet of > Snitterton. > Michael made for my mother and her sisters little wooden boxes. > I am named after Michael. > I know it is a long shot, but feel I have to give it a go. I need to find the names of > POWs called Michael, housed in Derbyshire who worked the farms near Snitterton. > If there are any records giving names and the place in Italy they came from it would be > a major obstacle overcome. > Even if the POW is no longer living I would still like to contact any family he may > have had. > I have tried before, not with much enthusiasm I might add, but I am determined to give > it my best attempt this time round. > Any help anyone can give would be truly appreciated. Hello Mike, Apologies in the delay in replying, I had started a reply, but saved the response and realised that I hadn't sent it. - I am not sure that I can offer any particular suggestions, but here are a few thoughts of mine that might come in handy. Have you looked at the following URL? It gives the location and camp numbers of all POW camps in the UK. It might be worth looking through and pin pointing the camps in Derbyshire then approaching the Derbyshire records office and the local studies libraries of the main libraries in the area. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/Filestore/conserving/characterisation/military_history/Prisoner_of_War_Camps.PDF Also the local history societies that are near the camps may have some photos and other bits of memorabilia, and you just may strike it lucky. I would also contact any museums in the area. How about making contact with the local Italian community - perhaps through enquiring at a deli or Italian run business, or an Italian teacher at local schools/colleges. Also, and this is even more of a long shot than the rest! - Contact the local Universities, and see if anyone has done a research project or dissertation this subject. My advice, as someone who is researching my modern Italian ancestry, leave not stone unturned, even if it all looks very hopeless. Good luck and let me know how you get on. -- Regards, Julie Goucher anglers.rest@virgin.net www.anglers-rest.net www.C-J.org.uk ORLANDO One Name Study ~ GOONS Member 3925 www.orlando-ons.co.uk -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.6 - Release Date: 07/02/2005