May 2004
In the process of doing family research (paternal) Phil has met a lot of relatives in Canada, Colombia, and England. He also has a few 2nd cousins he's met decades ago and doesn't remember (:-[ So we decided to visit England for 2 weeks to meet all these folks, to see the area where Phil's grandfather (and predecessors) lived in the 19th century (and early 20th), and to do some family research.
The research didn't go as planned because we didn't have enough time and we didn't plan well enough. We know, now, for next time!
But the wonderful people we met and the beautiful country with so much history made the trip 101% of what we hoped for, research notwithstanding.
The Wells Side
Pauline Hawthorn-Durrant, and twin sis Ann Hawthorn, are Phil's second cousins (Wells branch) and they live in Sevenoaks, the ancestral area we spent a lot of time in (how convenient!). While old pictures indicate, nebulously, that Phil had met one or both of them back in 1970, none of us recall it so this was like meeting new family for the first time. A tape that Phil found, of their parents, them, and our great-aunt "Nance" Wells Wood, is what started this whole process a few years back. We've communicated a lot by email and now have finally met.
Along with Pauline's husband Gerald, they provided home cooked meals (incl Steak & Kidney pie), transported us to/from the airport, drove us around the area, treated us to two wonderful meals at some very old and delightful pubs (where Phil had to duck the entire time), and generally treated us like family! Gerald accompanied us to Canterbury to visit the cathedral (and eat lunch at this wonderful English institution called "McDonalds"). We got to look thru their family photo albums to learn more of our common family. Thanks so much, cousins!
Click here for movie of Dinner With Pauline Hawthorn-Durrant and Gerald Durrant, Felisa Hawthorn, Ann Hawthorn, Nathan Durrant (director & photojournalist), Carol, and a Pissed Yank (19MB) (pissed is slang for drunk in British English)
Elisabeth Wood Pearce is also a Wells-branch second cousin. We spent the night with them in their hundreds-of-years old B & B and shared more family pictures and information. They're wonderful people and, if in the area, you should consider staying there. Thanks to the three of you.
Andrew, Elisabeth, and Terry Pearce At their home and wonderful B&B, Clerkspool, at Wiveliscombe, Somerset (write andrewclerkspool -a@t- a+o+l dot kom for rates and particulars) |
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Luetchfords
Although we were mostly interested in finding Wells descendants, we'd already
met a lot of Luetchfords and Letchfords over the Internet so we decided we had
to meet ALL of them! Phil's great-grandmother was born Sarah Ann Luetchford
in the area around Sevenoaks, Kent.
The following MPEG movies are of the various Luetch/Letchford families who have met over the Internet but never in person and are posted so they can meet each other. They are all at MANY megabytes in size, so those on dialup should plan a short vacation while they load.
Jim & Carole Luetchford From Toronto (118MB) Brian & Janet Letchford of Buckinghamshire(22MB)
Jim & Carol Woodland (Northamptonshire) & Peter and Mary & Malcolm Luetchford (Essex) (81MB)
Mike & Carole McKernon of Wiltshire(15MB)
Them Dang Marriners
Howard and Warwick are Phil's 5th cousins. We met thru a posting
on the Internet and a cousin in Bogota. We refer to Howard as "The Marriner
Travel Agency" because of all the very helpful things he did for us in
preparing for the trip including finding a B & B with a 7' bed for Phil,
and finding a car hire and a mobile (cell phone) rental. All 4 of them are great
people and we're glad we got to meet them.
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Dinner With The Marriners at The Harrow Inn, Knockholt, Kent |
While at dinner, we were entertained by a traditional English drinking-and-dance troupe called Morris Dancers. Very interesting to see.
More
Pix From England
We've go so many pictures to process it will take years to post them all! Click
the link for a sampling of Phil's favorites so far.
Carol
Woodland's Artwork
A sample of Carol's work, on display at The Snooty Fox, Lowick, Northants
Last updated June 3, 2004 (c) 2004 Philip C Wells, San Diego
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