My great great grandfather William Joseph James Gibson followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps carving fancy wooden mirror frames for a living. While previous generations hailed from Northumberland, William junior was born and grew up in east London. He was the eldest of eight children, with 24 years' difference between him and the youngest … Continue reading William Joseph James Gibson (1856-1916): A chip off the old block
Islington
George Ephgrave (1885-1935): Milk sterilizer engineer
My great great uncle George was one of several in his family to leave rural Hertfordshire for a life in London. There he worked, like his brothers Frederick and William, for a large dairy company. He became an electrical engineer involved in milk sterilization. He and his wife had two daughters. He died at the … Continue reading George Ephgrave (1885-1935): Milk sterilizer engineer
Benjamin Looker (1831-1906): An intriguing side-shoot
I am often distracted from my research by people tangential to my family history. One such is Benjamin Looker, father-in-law of my great grand uncle William Ephgrave. He was a much-married London coffee house keeper, Hertfordshire publican and son of a London 'ruby hole maker' (watch jeweller). I became rather obsessed with trying to fill … Continue reading Benjamin Looker (1831-1906): An intriguing side-shoot
My Stocking Roots 