American Merkin Company A merkin is a pubic wig. The term is also sometimes used as slang/shorthand for 'American.' Apparently actors doing nude scenes sometimes wear merkins. Heidi Klum did a scene involving an oversized, obviously fake merkin in the movie Blow Dry. But where, you might wonder, could a casual curiosity seeker ever get their hands on such a thing? Just head on over to the American Merkin Company (not safe for work, but only mildly so). Their motto is 'Handcrafting merkins for over 150 years,' and they offer a full range of this product in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Or at least, so they claim. They display a number at the bottom of their webpage which you can call and order some up (1-877-508-6307). I couldn't contain my curiosity about whether this company was for real, so I dialed them up, only to reach an operator who had never heard of them. So I guess the American Merkin Company is a hoax. Their motto should have been a tip-off.

Hi I am looking for Poulter's & Murkin/Merkin. I have a Hannah Poulter (dau. of John Poulter) born possible 1856-1858 she married a Murkin & was a widow on the 1881 census living back at home (Kirtling Cambridge) with her two children Frederick & Elizabeth I have their ages from the census as born 1878 for Frederick & 1879 for Elizabeth both born Dalham Suffolk, Hannah married in 1884 in Bloomsbury Middlesex (father's occup given as Butcher) to a James Barnes from Bradfield St George Suffolk by the 1891 census only Elizabeth is on the Census & is given as James's daughter. I have Henry MERKIN [full age] to Hannah POULTER [19]. 26 June 1875. Parents; Thomas MERKIN. Labourer. John POULTER. Butcher. Witnesses; James and Susannah PLUMB/PLUME. Children. Frederick 17.9.1876. Parents Henry and Hannah. Elizabeth Ann 31.3.1878. Parents as above. So what happen to Frederick does anyone know? Also I am looking in to the Poulter side which are Hannah's brother's & sister 1. Julia Jane Stigwood. Born abt Oct 1825 in Wood Ditton, Cambridgeshire. Julia Jane married John Poulter. Born abt 1821 in Wood Ditton, Cambridgeshire. Or did she marry I not found any marriage as yet They had the following children: 1. William. Born on 5 Mar 1851 in Up End Kirtling, Cambridgeshire. ii. Twin to William. Born on 5 Mar 1851 in Up End Kirtling, Cambridgeshire. iii. Thomas. Born abt 1856. 2 iv. Hannah (~1858-) v. Harry. Born abt 1870. vi. Samuel. Born abt 1867. On 31 Oct 1844 when Julia Jane was 19, she married John Pettit, son of John Pettit & Elizabeth _____, in Wood Ditton Church, Wood Ditton, Camb. Born on 20 Apr 1821 in Kirtling, Cambridgeshire. Can you help with any of these Regards Janice

thank you anyway Margaret ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Gates" <paulgates@ntlworld.com> To: <ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2004 5:08 PM Subject: RE: [ENG-CAMB] CLEMENTS > Hello Margaret, > > Unfortunately the CFHS PRs run out just before the year you want. There is > an entry on the IGI which you probably have already - c. Mary Ann CLEMENTS > 13 Jun 1852 at Fulbourn St. Vigor, d. of William & Mary Ann. The CFHS > online index to the 1851 census for Fulbourn shows the family as William > (30), Mary Ann (29), Sophia (5) and Richard (1). > > Probably not much help, but good hunting anyway. > > Paul & Lesley > Derby UK > > -----Original Message----- > From: margaret [mailto:margaret.atkinson1@ntlworld.com] > Sent: 16 June 2004 21:07 > To: ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [ENG-CAMB] CLEMENTS > > I am new to your list and I am searching for Mary ann. Clements b @1852 > father William mother Mary ann. * > she was christened at saint vigor,fulbourn > thanks in advance > Margaret > > > ==== ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE Mailing List ==== > . > > > > > ==== ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE Mailing List ==== > . >

Hi, Can someone please look at this census, maybe Barton Lane, St Peter, Wisbeach for a William Johnson from Sprowston, Norfolk. I think he may be a widower, otherwise wife Elizabeth. Children Maria, Eliza, Ellen,Emma, Emily. All baptised the same day 23 May 1842. Thanks for any help Mel (Wirral)

Hello Margaret, Unfortunately the CFHS PRs run out just before the year you want. There is an entry on the IGI which you probably have already - c. Mary Ann CLEMENTS 13 Jun 1852 at Fulbourn St. Vigor, d. of William & Mary Ann. The CFHS online index to the 1851 census for Fulbourn shows the family as William (30), Mary Ann (29), Sophia (5) and Richard (1). Probably not much help, but good hunting anyway. Paul & Lesley Derby UK -----Original Message----- From: margaret [mailto:margaret.atkinson1@ntlworld.com] Sent: 16 June 2004 21:07 To: ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [ENG-CAMB] CLEMENTS I am new to your list and I am searching for Mary ann. Clements b @1852 father William mother Mary ann. * she was christened at saint vigor,fulbourn thanks in advance Margaret ==== ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE Mailing List ==== .

----- Original Message ----- From: "Michele Crawford" <michele_crawford@sympatico.ca> To: <ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2004 5:22 AM Subject: Re: [ENG-CAMB] A QUESTION OF MATHEMATICS II > Dear Robyn, > Yes, I am trying to link all sorts of families to those I know are mine in > the village of Willingham. <SNIP> >.I have been doing genealogical research on this branch of my family and have found these > surnames connected: LUCAS, JEEPS, LACK, ROYSTON, BURKETT, KING, WHITE, > PETTIT, INGLE, NEALE, EVERIT, THURLOW, FAIRCHILD. The families of these > ancestors all lived in Willingham. <SNIP> Michelle, My late wife's tree has connections to the JEEPS and NEALE families of Willingham. She was Sheila PINK, born in Willingham, although the PINK family were long-time residents of Longstanton. The connections are: Tryphena Dorothea PINK (my wife's aunt - sister of her father); born 1893 in Longstanton; married Dec 31 1918 Charles JEEPS; born 1892 in Willingham; son of Richard JEEPS & Elizabeth SAUNDERSON. Charles's occupation at the time of marriage was given as L/Sgt, Cambridgeshire Regt. Tryphena Dorothea in adult life was always known only as Dorothy (for obvious reasons I imagine). Another aunt, elder sister of Tryphena, a Daisy PINK, married a Walter NEAL of Willingham in 1916. No other information currently recorded. I have not researched these twigs so recorded data is limited. However, I have obtained additional sources since making the original records so, if interest is shown, I can probably expand on the above. Cheers, Cliff of Coventry cliffrey@ntlworld.com

For the benefit of new listers - Your-Maps-Online is a free resource for historians, with 160+ old maps & etchings online - downloadable - for use in your research. Enhance your presentations, show your family where there ancestors lived. All the maps are scanned from originals and shared online by the owners of these maps - they are *your* maps! If you have any suitable old maps and would like to share a scan with fellow researchers, then I would be happy to put them on the website. Just email me off-list. This is how the site started back in March 2003 - with over 85,000 unique hits since then ... Remember - they are *free* to download, for personal research purposes - please don't abuse the generosity of others. A full Atlas of John Cary County maps from 1797 - to buy this atlas today would cost in excess of £2000 - if you can find one! Town plan maps, Strip Road maps, Lewis, Bartholomew, Fullerton, Bacon, etc.. - a maps library online! There are also an invaluable number of maps-Links to further your research. Here are some comments I have received over the last year or so :- "Great site! Some of the best looking and best detailed antiquarian maps I have seen on line. Lee - USA" "I just love your site, its very informative as my family were orginally from England and its so interesting to see life as they lived it. Thank you for bringing the events to life for me and for helping me to become a part of it.- Barbara" "What a fantastic site....congratulations! - David" " Greetings from Australia Excellant site. I will use these wonderful maps to find where my ancestors came from Somerset. Thank you so much. - Pat in Australia" "A great site for people like myself. I neeed all the help I can get. Genealogy is not a small and easy thing to research. Thank You. - James USA" "Absolute fantastic site ..Well done! Will certainly pass this one on. - Graham" "What a thrill it is to actually see the places where our ancestors lived in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries! Prior to seeing your maps, I had no idea where Hartoft and Hutton Le Hole might be. THANKS so much for sharing these treasures! - Fran" "WONDERFUL! I have been trying to get hold of an old map of Newcastle upon Tyne for some time now. The people at the archives are very helpful, until it comes to wanting a copy of something! Thanks for putting these maps on the net. - Louise" www.yourmapsonline.org.uk <http://www.yourmapsonline.org.uk> Regards, David Ford. -- Old Historical Books on CD. Trade Directories, Maps, County & Local Interest. www.youroldbooksandmaps.co.uk <http://www.youroldbooksandmaps.co.uk> Free old UK maps Online. Support the project by purchasing the Map CD. www.yourmapsonline.org.uk <http://www.yourmapsonline.org.uk>

Dear Robyn, Yes, I am trying to link all sorts of families to those I know are mine in the village of Willingham. I thought this might be of interest to people with roots in Willingham. BUT, I did not know whether it is appropriate to post it on the LIST, although I'd love to do so! My great aunt, Rose Greenwood, will be 105 on June 26th. She was born in Willingham as Rose LUCAS. Last year, Rose was photographed and interviewed by the Cambridge News. I'm sure that more will be made of her birthday this year because the Queen sends greeting at 105th birthdays.I have been doing genealogical research on this branch of my family and have found these surnames connected: LUCAS, JEEPS, LACK, ROYSTON, BURKETT, KING, WHITE, PETTIT, INGLE, NEALE, EVERIT, THURLOW, FAIRCHILD. The families of these ancestors all lived in Willingham. I thought that people who were also researching their ancestry in Willingham might be interested, especially if the surnames I have mentioned are ones to which that they are connected. They are very likely related to Rose. Another relative, Willingham born, named Clara BLUNT (nee JEEPS) reached 107 years of age. This lady happened to be Rose's mother's first cousin.(this was likely 20 years ago). Have a good day! Michele Crawford ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robyn Smith" <rlsmith@robalsmith.id.au> To: <ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 1:37 AM Subject: Re: [ENG-CAMB] A QUESTION OF MATHEMATICS II > The listowner - me - is fascinated by this train of thought so, if everyone > else > is happy with it, I would love to see other people's thoughts on the topic. I, > for one, have a long time interest in one small village in Cambridgeshire - > Little Shelford - and am attempting to link as many families as I can using all > the usual sources. Anyone else playing this game? > > > > > > So as not to clog the airways, please respond to me direct if you wish to > > carry the discussion on. Although this is a legitmate line of enquiry, I do > > not wish to incurr the wrath of the listowners. Or, if they give the OK, > > please carry it on in the public domain. I think, and hope that it will > > respond to further deliberation. > > > > > Cheers > Robyn Smith > Listowner - ENGLISH-FENS, ENG-CAMBRIDHESHIRE > > > > ==== ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE Mailing List ==== > . > >

searching for marriage of MADELINE WEBBER of PETERBOROUGH .TO HUBERT H FLOWERS YEAR 1887 or 1888 . my understanding is that bands of marriage were announced in the town that perspective bride reresided PETERBOROUGH WITHIN St JOHN BAPTIST CIVIL PARISH flt1469@bellsouth.net

Evening All, I have been sampling the Archive CD Books 1861 Cambridgeshire census CD set. Superb quality - I thought their Norfolk set was good but this is even better. However, a major disappointment (not to be laid at the door of Rod & Staff) is that Ely St Mary and Ely Holy Trinity are only represented by one or two pages - in each case the very end of the parish. Judging by the damage to these, they are probably all that remains of the set of Enumerator's Books. I seem to remember reading somewhere that most of Ely 1861 Census was missing/destroyed - can anyone confirm this? (It may be significant that Ely is not included in the 1861 Census Transcript fiche offered by the CFHS.) Cheers, Cliff of Coventry cliffrey@ntlworld.com

Hello Eve, What period are you talking about for Chamberlain's? I have a William Chamberlain married at Thorney, Cambs on 22.10.1807 to Ann Meadows. He was possibly born at Meldreth, Cambs on 11.5.1783, but I have no idea of the relationship to Guilden Morden in distance. I am still looking for definite connections to him. Any ideas. Kindest regards, Derek Hindle in Tasmania, Australia.. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eve Jarman" <ejarman@talk21.com> To: <ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 1:46 AM Subject: [ENG-CAMB] Jarmans and Chamberlins in Guilden Morden > Does anyone have any jarmans or chamberlins that we born in guilden morden in their family tree? > > Eve Jarman > > > --------------------------------- > ALL-NEW Yahoo! Messenger - sooooo many all-new ways to express yourself > > > ==== ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE Mailing List ==== > . > >

Sound like my house, but hubby won't cook or do dishes. Grandma of 6 and one on the way. Shelley in Canada Florence Dean wrote: >Hi Maureen > >Just how my family feel about my hobby. > >"Steve" Happy to be a grandma > > > > > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Maureen Rust" <Maureen.Rust@care4free.net> >To: <ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 1:20 PM >Subject: [ENG-CAMB] Grandma's family tree > > > > >>Someone sent this to the Cheshire list and I thought it was brilliant. >>Maureen (Mo) >> >> GRANDMA AND THE FAMILY TREE >> >> >> >> There's been a change in Grandma, we've noticed her of late, >> She's reading history or jotting down some date. >> >>She's tracking back the family, we'll all have pedigrees. >> >>Oh, Grandma's got a hobby, she's climbing Family Trees. >> >> >> >>Poor Grandpa does the cooking and now, or so he states, >> >>That worst of all, he has to wash the cups and Dinner plates. >> >>Grandma can't be bothered, she's busy as a bee, >> >>Compiling Genealogy, for the Family Tree. >> >> >> >>She has no time to baby-sit, the curtains are a fright. >> >>No buttons left on Grandad's shirt, the flower bed's a sight. >> >>She's given up her club work, the serials on TV, >> >>The only thing she does nowadays is climb the Family Tree. >> >> >> >>She goes down to the Courthouse and studies ancient lore, >> >>We know more about our forebears than we ever knew before. >> >>The books are old and dusty, they make poor Grandma sneeze, >> >>A minor irritation when you're climbing Family Trees. >> >> >> >>The mail is all for Grandma,it comes from near and far, >> >>Last week she got the proof she needs to join the DAR. >> >>A worthwhile avocation, to that we all agree, >> >>A monumental project, to climb the Family Tree. >> >> >> >>Now some folks came from Scotland and some from Galway Bay, >> >>Some were French as pastry, some German, all the way. >> >>Some went on West to stake their claim. Some stayed near by the sea. >> >>Grandma hopes to find them all as she climbs the Family Tree. >> >> >> >>She wanders through the graveyard in search of date or name, >> >>The rich, the poor, the in-between, all sleeping there the same. >> >>She pauses now and then to rest, fanned by a gentle breeze, >> >>That blows above the Fathers of all our Family Trees. >> >> >> >>There were pioneers and patriots mixed in our kith and kin, >> >>Who blazed the paths of wilderness and fought through thick and thin. >> >>But none more staunch than Grandma, whose eyes light up with glee, >> >>Each times she finds a missing branch for the Family Tree. >> >> >> >>Their skills were wide and varied, from Carpenter to Cook, >> >>And one (Alas) the record shows was hopelessly a crook. >> >>Blacksmith, weaver,farmer,judge,some tutored for a fee. >> >>Long lost in time, now all recorded on the Family Tree. >> >> >> >>To some it's just a hobby, to Grandma it's much more, >> >>She knows the joys and heartaches of those who went before. >> >>They loved,they lost,they laughed, they wept, and now for you and me, >> >>They live again in spirit, around the Family Tree. >> >>At last she's nearly finished and we are each exposed. >> >>Life will be the same again, this we supposed ! >> >>Grandma will cook and sew, serve cookies with our tea. >> >>We'll all be fat, just as before that wretched Family Tree. >> >> >> >>Sad to relate, The Preacher called and visited for a spell, >> >>We talked about the Gospel, and other things as well, >> >>The heathen folk, the poor- and then- 'twas fate, it had to be, >> >>Somehow the conversation turned to Grandma and the Family Tree. >> >> >> >>We tried to change the subject, we talked of everything, >> >>But then in Grandma's voice we heard that old familiar ring. >> >>She told him all about the past and soon was plain to see, >> >>The Preacher, too, was nearly snared by Grandma and the Family Tree. >> >> >> >>He never knew his Grandpa, his mother's name was ..Clark? >> >>He and Grandma talked and talked, outside it grew quite dark. >> >>We'd hoped our fears were groundless, but just like some disease, >> >>Grandma's become an addict--- She's hooked on Family Trees. >> >> >> >>Our souls were filled with sorrow, our hearts sank with dismay, >> >>Our ears could scarce believe the words we heard our Grandma say, >> >>"It sure is a lucky thing that you have come to me, >> >>I know exactly how it's done, I'll climb your Family Tree. >> >> >> >>Author Unknown. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>==== ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE Mailing List ==== >>. >> >> >> >> > > >==== ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE Mailing List ==== >. > > > >

Hi Heatha If you get any info on the Stigwoods I would love to know & I will do the same as I had your e-mail & I agree that my Stigwood & yours could be related Regards Janice ----- Original Message ----- From: <AndyandHeatha@aol.com> To: <ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 8:33 PM Subject: [ENG-CAMB] Woodditton and the Nunns and Stigwoods who dwelt there > Hello all, > > While researching the East Anglian connection I have come across Nunns and > Stigwoods in Woodditton. Although I've looked at all the IGI information, I > cannot piece much together. Is there a transcript of Woodditton parish records > available to buy or borrow? I need to go back to the late 1700s at least so > census information, although great, will not cover all. Any info would be so > welcome. > > Thanks, > > Heatha > > > > ==== ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE Mailing List ==== > . > >

Hello, I am searching for the name GILSON. I have got back to Richard GILSON who married Frances Pickering 23rd Dec 1744. They lived in Brotherton, Yorkshire. I cannot find his birth anywhere in Yorkshire and thought maybe he came from another county. Any help would be appreciated. Best Wishes, Denise Australia

Hi Janice, Will do! Regards, Heatha

Hello all, While researching the East Anglian connection I have come across Nunns and Stigwoods in Woodditton. Although I've looked at all the IGI information, I cannot piece much together. Is there a transcript of Woodditton parish records available to buy or borrow? I need to go back to the late 1700s at least so census information, although great, will not cover all. Any info would be so welcome. Thanks, Heatha

Hi Maureen Just how my family feel about my hobby. "Steve" Happy to be a grandma ----- Original Message ----- From: "Maureen Rust" <Maureen.Rust@care4free.net> To: <ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 1:20 PM Subject: [ENG-CAMB] Grandma's family tree > Someone sent this to the Cheshire list and I thought it was brilliant. > Maureen (Mo) > > GRANDMA AND THE FAMILY TREE > > > > There's been a change in Grandma, we've noticed her of late, > She's reading history or jotting down some date. > > She's tracking back the family, we'll all have pedigrees. > > Oh, Grandma's got a hobby, she's climbing Family Trees. > > > > Poor Grandpa does the cooking and now, or so he states, > > That worst of all, he has to wash the cups and Dinner plates. > > Grandma can't be bothered, she's busy as a bee, > > Compiling Genealogy, for the Family Tree. > > > > She has no time to baby-sit, the curtains are a fright. > > No buttons left on Grandad's shirt, the flower bed's a sight. > > She's given up her club work, the serials on TV, > > The only thing she does nowadays is climb the Family Tree. > > > > She goes down to the Courthouse and studies ancient lore, > > We know more about our forebears than we ever knew before. > > The books are old and dusty, they make poor Grandma sneeze, > > A minor irritation when you're climbing Family Trees. > > > > The mail is all for Grandma,it comes from near and far, > > Last week she got the proof she needs to join the DAR. > > A worthwhile avocation, to that we all agree, > > A monumental project, to climb the Family Tree. > > > > Now some folks came from Scotland and some from Galway Bay, > > Some were French as pastry, some German, all the way. > > Some went on West to stake their claim. Some stayed near by the sea. > > Grandma hopes to find them all as she climbs the Family Tree. > > > > She wanders through the graveyard in search of date or name, > > The rich, the poor, the in-between, all sleeping there the same. > > She pauses now and then to rest, fanned by a gentle breeze, > > That blows above the Fathers of all our Family Trees. > > > > There were pioneers and patriots mixed in our kith and kin, > > Who blazed the paths of wilderness and fought through thick and thin. > > But none more staunch than Grandma, whose eyes light up with glee, > > Each times she finds a missing branch for the Family Tree. > > > > Their skills were wide and varied, from Carpenter to Cook, > > And one (Alas) the record shows was hopelessly a crook. > > Blacksmith, weaver,farmer,judge,some tutored for a fee. > > Long lost in time, now all recorded on the Family Tree. > > > > To some it's just a hobby, to Grandma it's much more, > > She knows the joys and heartaches of those who went before. > > They loved,they lost,they laughed, they wept, and now for you and me, > > They live again in spirit, around the Family Tree. > > At last she's nearly finished and we are each exposed. > > Life will be the same again, this we supposed ! > > Grandma will cook and sew, serve cookies with our tea. > > We'll all be fat, just as before that wretched Family Tree. > > > > Sad to relate, The Preacher called and visited for a spell, > > We talked about the Gospel, and other things as well, > > The heathen folk, the poor- and then- 'twas fate, it had to be, > > Somehow the conversation turned to Grandma and the Family Tree. > > > > We tried to change the subject, we talked of everything, > > But then in Grandma's voice we heard that old familiar ring. > > She told him all about the past and soon was plain to see, > > The Preacher, too, was nearly snared by Grandma and the Family Tree. > > > > He never knew his Grandpa, his mother's name was ..Clark? > > He and Grandma talked and talked, outside it grew quite dark. > > We'd hoped our fears were groundless, but just like some disease, > > Grandma's become an addict--- She's hooked on Family Trees. > > > > Our souls were filled with sorrow, our hearts sank with dismay, > > Our ears could scarce believe the words we heard our Grandma say, > > "It sure is a lucky thing that you have come to me, > > I know exactly how it's done, I'll climb your Family Tree. > > > > Author Unknown. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== ENG-CAMBRIDGESHIRE Mailing List ==== > . > >

Someone sent this to the Cheshire list and I thought it was brilliant. Maureen (Mo) GRANDMA AND THE FAMILY TREE There's been a change in Grandma, we've noticed her of late, She's reading history or jotting down some date. She's tracking back the family, we'll all have pedigrees. Oh, Grandma's got a hobby, she's climbing Family Trees. Poor Grandpa does the cooking and now, or so he states, That worst of all, he has to wash the cups and Dinner plates. Grandma can't be bothered, she's busy as a bee, Compiling Genealogy, for the Family Tree. She has no time to baby-sit, the curtains are a fright. No buttons left on Grandad's shirt, the flower bed's a sight. She's given up her club work, the serials on TV, The only thing she does nowadays is climb the Family Tree. She goes down to the Courthouse and studies ancient lore, We know more about our forebears than we ever knew before. The books are old and dusty, they make poor Grandma sneeze, A minor irritation when you're climbing Family Trees. The mail is all for Grandma,it comes from near and far, Last week she got the proof she needs to join the DAR. A worthwhile avocation, to that we all agree, A monumental project, to climb the Family Tree. Now some folks came from Scotland and some from Galway Bay, Some were French as pastry, some German, all the way. Some went on West to stake their claim. Some stayed near by the sea. Grandma hopes to find them all as she climbs the Family Tree. She wanders through the graveyard in search of date or name, The rich, the poor, the in-between, all sleeping there the same. She pauses now and then to rest, fanned by a gentle breeze, That blows above the Fathers of all our Family Trees. There were pioneers and patriots mixed in our kith and kin, Who blazed the paths of wilderness and fought through thick and thin. But none more staunch than Grandma, whose eyes light up with glee, Each times she finds a missing branch for the Family Tree. Their skills were wide and varied, from Carpenter to Cook, And one (Alas) the record shows was hopelessly a crook. Blacksmith, weaver,farmer,judge,some tutored for a fee. Long lost in time, now all recorded on the Family Tree. To some it's just a hobby, to Grandma it's much more, She knows the joys and heartaches of those who went before. They loved,they lost,they laughed, they wept, and now for you and me, They live again in spirit, around the Family Tree. At last she's nearly finished and we are each exposed. Life will be the same again, this we supposed ! Grandma will cook and sew, serve cookies with our tea. We'll all be fat, just as before that wretched Family Tree. Sad to relate, The Preacher called and visited for a spell, We talked about the Gospel, and other things as well, The heathen folk, the poor- and then- 'twas fate, it had to be, Somehow the conversation turned to Grandma and the Family Tree. We tried to change the subject, we talked of everything, But then in Grandma's voice we heard that old familiar ring. She told him all about the past and soon was plain to see, The Preacher, too, was nearly snared by Grandma and the Family Tree. He never knew his Grandpa, his mother's name was ..Clark? He and Grandma talked and talked, outside it grew quite dark. We'd hoped our fears were groundless, but just like some disease, Grandma's become an addict--- She's hooked on Family Trees. Our souls were filled with sorrow, our hearts sank with dismay, Our ears could scarce believe the words we heard our Grandma say, "It sure is a lucky thing that you have come to me, I know exactly how it's done, I'll climb your Family Tree. Author Unknown.

How lovely I can almost see myself in bits of this!!!!!! Pam

Hello all Could anyone tell me which enumeration district Kneesworth was in for the 1861 census - also was it Cambridgeshire? (or possibly Herts!) Many thanks Kate Large