This page is dedicated to my dear late Grandfather, Charles Francis.  I never knew him as an adult, he died when I was quite small, though I remember his lovely rounded physique standing in the lane beside his pedal cycle after a days hard work on the estate where he worked as a stone-mason.   He would hold out his arms for me to run into, then he would whisk me up and twirl me round and take me home to grandma's where we would all settle down for our tea by the open log and coal fire.  After our meal grandad would relax by the fire, smoking his pipe with me snuggled up on his lap.  Every time I smell pipe smoke it reminds me of those happy times.  Grandad was gassed in the war, and because of that suffered with various health problems, but managed quite well with most things.  He was quiet and rather shy I understand, but very much a gentleman.  I adored him!  His brother Arthur Kenneth was killed in the war, still just a young man, as many other millions were.  Grandad's father built a local school from stone, and it still stands to this day!   Very well done Great Grandad!  Photos to follow!

I would really love to trace my dear grandad's line of ancestry.  I know lots about my grandmother's side of family, but little of grandad's.  Grandad was born in Huntingdonshire, Charles Frances Mitchell in 1885.  His mother was Sarah Jordan (a seamstress) before her marriage to Great Grandad (known as 'Gramp' with a long walrus moustache!).  Grandad had one brother Arthur Kenneth who was killed in the first World War, just a young boy.  He had a cousin I understand, surname 'Brown' who had a bakery in the very small town of Rothwell, Northamptonshire in the 1920's / 1930's.   Other relatives I understand went to Australia and became sheep farmers.   Grandad loved woodwork, and made me my very first dolls house which is still at home!  He also liked to ice skate, and skated the frozen rivers for many miles I understand.  Winters really were winters in those days! Can someone please fill in details of some of his other relatives for me -cousins, aunties, uncles etc?  I would be very grateful.  If you do know anything that you think may be of interest to me, please click on the 'contact me' page to send an email with any information you may have about him, memories or facts, I would love to know something more about his family.