Ruth HURD, my grandmother, was born at Cloughton in the parish of Scalby. At the age of 20 she left her home and family to become a companion and servant to Miss HARRISON, the daughter of a farmer, Robert HARRISON, of The Grange, Gilling East, near Helmsley in the North Riding of Yorkshire. Robert's wife had died in 1909 and their daughter Helos (was supposed to be named Heloise, but the vicar made an error at her baptism, apparently, and it stuck), was the only female in a house full of farm labourers, so she needed female company, the farm being quite remote from the village. I do not know how Ruth got the job. Perhaps it was advertised, but perhaps the family was known to Ruth's family, maybe even distantly related - that is yet to be discovered. Ruth was "walking out" with my grandfather for eight years before they were married, which was not so unusual in those days, particularly for servants. Another story is emerging here. I looked at the 1911 census, to find Ruth HURD at home with her employer, and there is an unusual entry on the census form - there are four farm workers listed, but the last one is crossed through and a note written below says "This man taken by police." The man is Robert WALKER, aged 67, a single man, farm labourer, born at Nunnington. Now, I wonder what he had done! I will go to the Library, at the earliest opportunity, to search newspapers for possible clues. Does anyone have WALKER connections in this area? As a single man, it is unlikely that he is anyone's ancestor, but may be a relation. Janice Wood

Hi Janice He could still be someone's ancestor if, after his "misdemeanour", he went clean, got married and had kids. It was great to read about your ancestors and see how much of their life you have uncovered :-) That the difference between researching your family 'history' as opposed to researching your family 'tree'. Regards Heather Janice Wood wrote: > <snip> > > Another story is emerging here. I looked at the 1911 census, to find Ruth HURD at home with her employer, and there is an unusual entry on the census form - there are four farm workers listed, but the last one is crossed through and a note written below says "This man taken by police." The man is Robert WALKER, aged 67, a single man, farm labourer, born at Nunnington. Now, I wonder what he had done! I will go to the Library, at the earliest opportunity, to search newspapers for possible clues. Does anyone have WALKER connections in this area? As a single man, it is unlikely that he is anyone's ancestor, but may be a relation. > > Janice Wood >