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
Royal Navy
The lost family of William Thomas Stocking
My 2xgreat grand uncle William Thomas Stocking (1864-1923) had 13 children with his wife Elizabeth Ellen Smith. By the time he died in 1923, aged 58, they had been married 38 years. Four of their children died in infancy. World War I also took its toll, on a son, daughters and sons-in-law. Their stories are … Continue reading The lost family of William Thomas Stocking