General Chat

Thanks for all the positive replies, really glad you all enjoyed it...It was especially pleasing for me although I had the contacts 18 months ago,which followed a year or so of tracking the various people down..this I passed to the independant TV company, who took from it what they needed. The party was great and although I had met everybody (apart from Karen, but had spoken to her numerous times) (Amanda hadn't met anybody prior to the show), it was gratifying to know that I had played a part in making it all happen. The biggest break was finding Cyril's death certificate, having drawled though Pilling and Herrington, and St.Ledger deaths at the Local library on microfiche, checking over 40 years, quarter by quarter. That gave me the address he was living at...wrote to it, no response, then wrote to others in the same street, fortunately it went to someone who knew Karen, who passed it on to her, the following day she called me. My problem we all have is that there are so many branches of our family trees ....if we are serious about it...My Grandmothers is one of them obviously, but the bulk has been the paternal line of Herrington, this I have researched back to 1600..I had hoped originally that this would be featured as well, but I suppose time rerstraints and all that. But the Herrington line has always been my main priority! So, to answer a few of the earlier questions on this thread, No I haven't tied down Cyril's birth certificate, but will someday I hope, when I return to my Grandmother's line No I didn't see a preview of the programme And yes we do keep in touch to an extent...There were also other's filmed who didn't make on to the programme! Amanda has been brilliant, my eldest daughter Nicola has just finished LAMDA drama school in London, and Mandy has been so supportive in so many ways, I owe her so much, and they are great friends too. And especially to SAZ IN HAPPY HERTS (spot on!) Just like to leave you with this, it wasn't shown but was recorded...how the whole family thing came about....... In 2001 my youngest ....Aunt Charmian Died at an early age, by the way there are 3 other siblings Joan, Tony (my Dad), and another brother Francis (not on the show)... At the funeral or at least in the pub afterwards, Amanda ,Joan my Dad, and myself were talking about family, and was astonished to learn that my father didn't know who his grandparents were on either side, because my Grandfather William cut himself from his family in Suffolk, and also refused to let my Grandmother see her folks..There were other reasons for this, but will leave it there. So I decided to find out...as you do....the rest is history as they say...I have loved it, and given something back to the family, perhaps even brought us closer together. Also the mystery of Cyril was talked about, don't forget at that point 3 years ago, Cyril was an estranged brother, no one knew he was illegitimate...my Grandmother went to her grave without telling a soul, how tough is that! She had kept that secret for 50 years and more. He hadn't been seen since 1942, but the wierd thing is that on a certain date in April every year, she always said a little prayer, and had a quiet moment to herself....Joan was aware, every year she noticed, but never knew the reason......It turned out to be Cyril's birthday. And finally, the third event came about because of the funeral. Mandy and I talked, I mentioned that my daughter, then at University, (I hadn't seen Mandy for years at that point), studying Drama, she insisted that Nicola came to her own Saturday Theatre school, gave her personal tuition, which helped her gain entry into LAMDA, which she has just finished after 2 years....They now have the same Agent! So...... I have always believed in fate/karma call it what you will....So much good came out of a tragedy...so thanks to my Aunt, thanks to my Grandmother, at last the story can be told. I believe it was meant to happen.

Thanks for updating us Trevor. Good wishes to you and your family for the furure and Happy Hunting! Jeanette x

Trevor, what a fantastic family you have tapped into.... the support network is fantastic!! I hope it wasn't too painful for anyone to meet the family they didn't know they had... my thoughts are with all those that you and us are yet to find!! :O)

Thank you, Trevor, for sharing so much with us. Joy

Enjoyed the programme very much, Trevor. It was better than last week`s but Bill Oddie story was sad. Wonder how many others on GC have relatives who are on telly? Hope you find Cyril`s birth cert. Rosalyn

Thanks for sharing your story Trevor. I have to say I really enjoy the programme. Nicky

Wow Trevor you must have done some searching! The show was brilliant and after reading your updates I am amazed. good luck with your searches. Maggie