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Mary,

Do you know who your grandfather's mother was, and her family background?

Hello Mary - welcome to the boards :-) :-)

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Ann xx

Hello,

I wonder if you have any information on the unmarried mothers home which you could share with me?

My granfather was born there in 1918 and I would dearly love to find any information which might help to trace who his father was.

I am hoping you may have found some information already that might help.

Thank you
Mary

I am hoping to trace a descendant of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir David Semple who was born in 1856. Sir David was the founder and first director of the Pasteur Institute in India for the treatment of rabies. He had four sons: William David (Bill), born 1894 in South Stoneham, Robert Edward Watson (Bob), born 1896 in South Stoneham, John Spencer H (Jacky), born 1899 in South Stoneham, and Douglas Noel J, born 1903 in Kasauli. He also had three daughters: Ethel Maud, born 1895 in South Stoneham (who was later to become Sister Mary David and devoted her life to convent work), Mabel Kathleen, born 1901 in Kasauli, and Dorothy Eileen, born 1902 in Kasauli. My reason is this: my Father (WILLIAM SAMUEL LAWRENCE) was born at a Maternity Home in Mustow Street, Bury St Edmunds on 19th June 1914. This establishment was run by a Miss Wyrley-Birch who became my Father's Godmother. When he was about two years old, he was removed from the Home by Sir David and Lady (Ethel May) Semple and became their Ward. He understood that his Father had been killed in the War and believed that his Mother had died. He went to school at St Michael's, Otford, Nr Sevenoaks, remained in very close contact with two of his foster sisters throughout his life (although neither knew the identity of his real parents), married my Mother in St Albans in 1939 and served in the RAF during the Second World War. I joined Genes Reunited some time ago and my tree has gradually grown, but was looking rather lopsided as all the people were on my Mother's side. I wanted to try and rectify this, and a very kind gentleman who knew my Father and is also a Family Historian, made some investigations for me very recently and found my Father's Mother. Through Genes Reunited I have now made contact with her descendants - relations I never knew I had. They have sent me photos and letters and keep in touch by e-mail on a regular basis. I am completely overwhelmed by their kindness, their friendliness and their acceptance of me into their family. Is there a Semple descendant who might be able to help me fill in the missing person - my paternal Grandfather? Thank you.