Go for it, Sharon! Naturally, it's wise to be aware of different interests in a sensitive matter like this, but you have thought about this long and hard and, anyway, I'd imagine any reserve would more likely be on the side of a father's later family, than with any child born earlier in Europe. And, as one of those children in Europe myself, I can only say I would LOVE to hear from my unknown father's family in Canada. Over the past six years, I've made great inroads in discovering my mother's family's past, on and off lists like these. It has opened up whole new worlds for me and is nothing short of enthralling. But that's only half my story: my mother's side. In consolation, I tell myself I have neither the time, the energy, nor the money to spend on unravelling my father's past as well, but of course that's complete and utter nonsense: I'd give my right arm to know who he was and where he and his family came from, how their lives were and not least whether I have any half-brothers or sisters somewhere on this earth! Charani has mentioned the Red Cross and SA and these days there are organisations online who try to co-ordinate searches like yours, which should be easy to find online. I recall Olga Raynes worked for and with the Red Cross in years gone by, but internet has speeded some things up. I wish you all the luck and persistence in the world, Sharon. I'd still be up and running with you, but since my mother and other relations omitted to tell me his full name before they died, most of my trailing options have run out. [And before this is declared off topic, I would add that I was born in the London area and that he probably spent time in the London/Middlesex area as well, wherever he might have been stationed.] ;-) Good luck! Katie de Haan The Netherlands (Born London, England) ----- Original Message ----- From: "sharon macvicar" <bpmax@seascape.ns.ca>To: <middlesex_county_uk@rootsweb.com>Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 8:34 AMSubject: [MDX] RE-ENGLAND > Hello listers; My father did not marry in England but only thought he was > going to marry. So I would not be able to find anything in BMD. for > England. > As I have thought about this for a long time and only now have come to the > decision to see if maybe there was a sibling maybe two that I may have I > only would like to let them know if they are interested in what happend > with him after he and the lady went their own ways. > Sharon ps. > I do not expect to be welcomed with wide open arms just to > let them know about him. If they do have open arms and hearts that would > be the best thing I could recieve. I would welcome them as I know that > back in the time it was not easy for the lady or her family or for any > children that may have come out of it. > But one can only try with open > everything. No virus found in this outgoing message Checked by PC Tools AntiVirus (6.0.0.18 - 10.004.016). http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/

Katie de Haan wrote: > Charani has mentioned the Red Cross and SA and these days there are > organisations online who try to co-ordinate searches like yours, which > should be easy to find online. I recall Olga Raynes worked for and with the > Red Cross in years gone by, but internet has speeded some things up. As you say, there are other organisations but I don't know who they are, nor which ones are reputable and which aren't. Unfortunately there are always some who exploit those, like Sharon and yourself, want to make contact with service parents. -- Charani (UK) OPC for Walton, Greinton and Clutton, SOM Asst OPC for Ashcott and Shapwick, SOM http://wsom-opc.org.uk http://www.savethegurkhas.co.uk/