Samuel Doidge Brent 1863-1937 Postmaster and my great grandfather I have a tradition of naming snails after my great grandparents. My two pet Giant African Land Snails were Percy and Phoebe, after Percy and Phoebe Beale, my dad's mum's parents. Meanwhile, the furry toy snail that accompanies me to parkruns is called Samuel, not just … Continue reading Samuel Doidge Brent
Frederick Harold Whibley 1878-1921 Gardener and Store Keeper of Lambeth, Mitcham, Epping, Woolwich and Guildford and my 2nd great uncle. I've been continuing my delve into all things Whibley, determined to find my connection with my mysterious DNA probable second cousin once removed "Ronan Quick", and this has involved probing the lives of the brothers … Continue reading Frederick Harold Whibley: The mysterious disappearing family
Seaman Cooke Beale, 1742-1789. Wharfinger of London, and my 4th great grandfather. It's the ancestors closest to home that get neglected. After all, I've lived in London all my life. I am very familiar with London Bridge - I used to live a short walk away. I've walked past Southwark Cathedral a million times. There … Continue reading Seaman Cooke Beale: A London Wharfinger
Leonard Norman Brent, 1892-1966, Jam Factory Manager and my grandfather. Ada Jane Beale, 1895-1973, his wife and my grandmother. I never knew my paternal grandparents. Leonard died eleven years before I was born and Ada four. In fact, I didn't even know their names, and the realisation of this fact was what prompted me to … Continue reading Leonard and Ada Brent: The Grandparents I Never Knew
While we are on the subject of the Whibley family (no, I still haven't heard from Ronan Quick), I thought I'd tell you a little bit about my great great grandfather, Richard Whibley, a school gardener.
Family Mystery 