Events No Events this week

Our Salem Base is open from 9am-2pm every Tuesday

Requests Robert Taylor emailed this week with details of his family with his mom Elizabeth Dorothy Taylor (formally Elizabeth Matthews.) now 90 years old remembering her childhood in the old Dundalk Lane cottages with her sister Marjorie.  Robert also mentions his Grandad William (Bill) Matthews and his involvement in the Brass bands around Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley.

Old Newspapers researched by Dave Washington

4th September 1885 Lichfield Mercury, Rhoda Ridgeway, George Collier, Charles Kendrick, David Brough, Maria Walker and Joseph Kendall all found guilty in a court case, as was Thomas Tudor coal dealer of Cheslyn Hay in a separate prosecution.

What Happened This Week 50/100 years ago…by Mike Belcher

15th August 1968   Details of the death of Police-constable Robert Michael Potts (22) a single man of 4, Hill Street, in a tragic accident.

15th August 1968  Cheslyn Hay Salem Church Women’s Guild visit to Hamstall Ridware Hall.

15th August 1968 Story of the residents of Cheslyn Hay involved in the re-decoration of the schoolrooms of Salem Church Hall.

 15th August 1968   Details of a special display at the Cheslyn Hay library.

15th August1968  Full details of the Hawkins v Brereton match in the in the Chase League division one.

17th August 1918  Successful War Weapons Week in Cheslyn Hay including memories of the village in yesteryear when dog racing was a great feature as well as cock fighting.

17th August 1918  A visit from their late minister, Rev. Alfred Colbeck to the Salem Church.
At the meeting of the Local Relief Committee and Red Cross Society Mrs. Waltho stated that recently she had received a letter from her husband Private J. Waltho, who is now a Prisoner of War.                     Also news of Lieut.  Corporal Syd Thomas,  and an award given to Pte. Geo. Allen, of Cross Street for bravery.

17th August 1918   Report of a biplane dropped in the 18 acre field in Pinfold Lane later viewed by 2000 people.

17 August 1918 Mr. James Mitchell, of 7, Chapel Square, Station Street, Cheslyn Hay, received a letter from a Nurse at a French Hospital, giving full details of the death of their son Private Robert Mitchell.

General News

One of our members has enquired about the “Silent Soldier” and would we be commemorating the event in Cheslyn Hay . If anyone would like any further details on this event the local parish council on 01922 410483 will be able to answer any of your enquiries
If you are uncertain as to what the “Silent Soldiers” events are the following is the official notice from the royal British legion.
There But Not There is a special commemorative event for the fallen. It commemorates the centenary of the First World War through a nationwide installation of life-size silhouettes of soldiers. They will be showcased in November 2018

Events No Events this week.

Our Salem Base is open from 9am-2pm every Tuesday

Requests Mystery Photograph, can anyone help us identify this photograph from our archives? Where was this shop located and who are the happy trio standing outside?

Old Newspapers researched by Dave Washington

Story of Mr & Mrs Vincent Westwood of Middle Hill celebrating 50years of marriage in 1974. Article and Photograph

 What Happened This Week 50/100 years ago…by Mike Belcher

8th August 1968 Cannock Advertiser Funeral of Mrs. F. Ballance of Cheslyn Hay with full details of her life.

8th August 1968  Full details of Cheslyn Hay Over 60’s Club meeting.

10th August 1918 The Red Cross Society met and decorated the Roll of Honour with choice blooms.

Lieut. H. A. Hawkins, of the South Staffs Regiment, has been awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in the field of action.  

On Tuesday morning Mr. and Mrs. W. Westwood, of Hatherton Street, received an official communication that their son Private W. Westwood was a Prisoner of War.

10th August 1918 George Henry Fletcher and Ann Smith found guilty in court.

10th August 1918 Myra Shorter,wife of Sapper John Shorter, of 9, Chapel Square, Cheslyn Hay, has issued a writ for slander desire to protect ‘her purely innocent character in the eyes of all respectable neighbours’.  

10th August 1918 A meeting of the Cheslyn Hay War Weapons Week Committeewith the involvement of Messrs. T. Weetman, W. Baxter, W. Wollaston, R. Brough, S. J. Lawson, T. Jones, William H. Westwood, H. Morris and H. W. Corns with full particulars.

Family History  We have recently held 3 very successful sessions ‘Tracing Your Family History’ at the local library in Cheslyn Hay, we would like to thank everyone who supported us. Due to popular demand we are hoping to run similar sessions at our Salem Base on Tuesday morning in the near future.

Annual Exhibition  Our Annual exhibition will be held on Saturday 6th October 2018, and we hoping to have a display of photographs from the 1990s.  If anyone has any interesting pictures of that decade, that we could borrow, we would be very grateful . We will scan the originals to use in our display so there would be no damage to your  photos. If you can help please ring Malcolm Podmore 01922 410021 or 07794418295  Also Roger Moore is still looking to borrow some mannequins for displays at the exhibition you can contact Roger on 01785 212412

 West Midlands History Podcasts  In a podcast Birmingham historian and author Carl Chinn traces the links between the West Indies and the city.

suewashington.cheslynhayhistory@btinternet.com 

EVENTS  The theme for Roger’s Chat n Char this Thursday, 9th August is ‘Sounds Good’. Starting at 10am in the Salem as usual.

Due to popular demand we are holding another ‘Tracing Your Family History’ sessions at Cheslyn Hay Library Thursday 9th August 2pm – 5pm. For further information telephone Malcolm on 01922 410021 or 07794418295 or just turn up on the day .

OUR SALEM BASE is open from  9am – 2pm every Tuesday

REQUESTS  John Bennett of the Landor History Society emailed regarding a coloured postcard c. 1914-18 entitled ‘Cheslyn Hay Cemetery’ which depicts a chapel like building with five prominent white graves. We were able to confirm it was Cheslyn Hay Cemetery and the Mortuary chapel which unfortunately was destroyed by fire on 17th August 1988.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK 50/100 YEARS AGO…by Mike Belcher

1st August 1968 Cannock Advertiser  Details of the death of Ballance (Florence).

1st August 1968 Full story of vandalism at Rosemary Road, Cheslyn Hay.

1st August 1968  Problems over the weekend medical service was discussed by the Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay councillors.

3rd August 1918 Cannock Chase Courier   The Local Relief Committee expressed sympathy towards Mr. and Mrs. W. Westwood in respect of their son, Private Wm. Westwood, who has been missing since the 27th of May.

Details of Sergeant T. Farnell home on leave.

The communal kitchen is till progressing favourably for now there are many vegetables in the gardens and allotments.

3rd August 1918 Cannock Chase Courier  Full details of a letter from  Mons Perchant in France passing his opinions on the agitators at home.

GENERAL NEWS   This week on our facebook page Martyn Rochelle posted a few photos that he had inherited from his late Uncle Alan Kingston. Alan lived in Cheslyn Hay as a young lad with his parents John and Emma Kingston nee Roe.   https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.chdlhs.co.uk/?ref=bookmarks

Has anyone got any mannequins we can borrow for our annual exhibition Saturday, 6th October 2018 please contact Roger Moore 01785 212412

suewashington.cheslynhayhistory@btinternet.com

EVENTS  Speakers night last Thursday 26th July – unfortunately due to a fire at Firmin’s factory on Thursday, Tony Kelly had to cancel but our intrepid pair Peter Cadman and Bob Brevitt stepped in with only one hours notice to provide us with an entertaining talk ” Beside The Seaside” which brought back lovely memories for all our members. We have received news that the fire damage is not as extensive as first thought and thankfully no historical artefacts were ruined

Due to the success of our recent Family History Beginners Courses at Cheslyn Hay Lbrary we are hoping to run a  another session on Thursday 9th August 2pm until 5pm more information will be posted next week

OUR SALEM BASE is open from  9am – 2pm every Tuesday

REQUESTS  No requests received this week

RESPONSES  More research on the recent Dukes/Jukes enquiry has revealed that the family are included in our Overseers Record for the Poor on ten separate occasions from 1810 – 1831.  All available on request.

Continuing with Ann and Alicia’s interest with their ancestors John Stokes and Rebecca Hodgkins our own research reveals a  fascinating story behind the recorded facts.  Firstly we have to eliminate any connection with the James Hodgkins in Massachusetts from our John Stokes and Rebecca Hodgkins in Cheslyn Hay.  Despite the fact that when James and Rebecca  married in Wolverhampton in 1832 and they were recorded as ‘Widower’ and ‘Widow’ neither of them had ever been married before having their children baptised locally prior in 1932.  Alicia has been provided with their full story with copies of their marriage, four baptisms and the 1841 Census listing their nine children.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK 50/100 YEARS AGO…by Mike Belcher

Cannock Advertiser  no reports for this week in 1968

27th July 1918 Cannock Chase Courier  A meeting of the Cheslyn Hay Parish Council Council the subject of the New Allotments at the back of the New Inns, Station Street was discussed concerning rents involving Mr. Pearson and Mr. J. Simmsand a promise of a piece of land from Mr. Isaac Stokes.

27th July 1918   The Rev. R. T. Rowley is leaving the township and being replaced by the Rev. J. Naylor.  Full details given.

27th July 1918  Mr R H Brough and Mrs Waltho reported at the Local Relief Committee meeting  details of Prisoners of WarPrivate T. A. Bosworth, of Station Street, and Private J. Waltho.

27th July 1918   Information on the “flu” epidemic.

WWI COMMEMORATION  This August we commemorate the death of William Askey who was killed on 2nd September 1918, husband of Sarah Ellen Askey of  108 Station Street Cheslyn Hay.  Full details given.

GENERAL NEWS

Two of our long standing members have recently passed away.

Christine Wilcox (nee Webb) formerly Sutherland Road, Cheslyn Hay who worked at the Bridgtown Primary School for many years as a Welfare Assistant.  Passed away June 29th at New Cross Hospital. Age 86.  Funeral, August 1st at Stafford Crematorium 2pm.

Norman Rowe, passed away on Saturday 21st July aged 84.  Norman will be remembered as a talented artist, particularly on his favourite Cheslyn Hay scenes, and his generous donations of these paintings to be displayed at our Base as well as being sold for our Society’s funds will always be appreciated.   Born and bred in Great Wyrley, he met his wife, Mary, at Great Wyrley Secondary School and they have lived locally throughout their married lives and our thoughts go out to Mary and the family. Funeral is on Monday, 30th July at 11.30am at the Salem and all friends and colleagues will be welcomed at a gathering at the Cheslyn Hay WMC afterwards

suewashington.cheslynhayhistory@btinternet.com

EVENTS  Speakers night July 26th.  Back by popular demand we have Tony Kelly, the Sales Director of Firmins of Birmingham. They are the second oldest manufacturer in the UK having been established in 1672 and having strong links to Royalty. Their products were present at the Battles of The Nile, Trafalgar, Waterloo and Gettysburg, and they still continue to supply uniforms, swords and insignia to the Guards regiments that are so popular with visitors to the Royal Palace & Trooping the Colour. Items made by their skilled craftsmen will be on show. The title of Tony’s talk is ‘The Finishing Touch of the Button’ part 2 and is on Thursday at the Salem starting at 7.30pm.  Admittance £1 including refreshments.

On Thursday July 26th  we are having the second of our beginners course on Family History at the Cheslyn Hay library from 2.00 pm until 5.00pm.  For further information telephone Malcolm on 01922 410021 or 07794418295, or just turn up on the day

OUR SALEM BASE is open from 9am – 2pm every Tuesday and this week Trevor is appealing for help in the scrutiny and naming of the photographs he has received and as outlined below.

REQUESTS  No requests received this week.

RESPONSES  Further to the enquiry from Ann Molloy in Australia who wants to discover how her Stokes’ ancestors managed to own property when only miners we have made further study into the family history and discovered Joseph Stokes owned a house and a plot of land (ref 331 & 328 on our  Tithe Maps) in Queen Street as well as John Stokes in Little Wood in the early 1800s but also the Stokeses were involved having properties that were sold at auctions in 1827 and 1839.  John Stokes was also involved with a John  Smith when they obtained the lease of a Cheslyn Hay mine for 99 years in 1832 which they were forced to sue the Sayers for an alleged breach of contract.

Another connection with Ann’s family came from Alicia Woolaston, a visitor to our Base, who was interested in the information on James Hodgkins and Rebecca Stokes emailing ‘I think James may have been born 1792 in Penn and possibly died 1823. Sorry I have not got the full package on ancestry so unable to access the record again to send the full information.  Attached is his military record of 1812 in Massachusetts as well as his application for a war pension.   His roll number and pension number are on it.  I could be completely barking up the wrong tree but maybe your researchers may like to take a look and see if there is any value in it.’

After John’s request from last week we have looked into the New Connexion baptisms in Cheslyn Hay (1790-1835) and there are seven baptisms registered for the Locketts including  the full details of two baptisms that he was enquiring about – Moses and Elanor.  For further enquiries we have now recorded the family names of these baptisms and are listed below in ‘What’s in our Archives’.

NEW PHOTOGRAPHS  Two photographs of the Holly Bank No 2 Colliery at Essington (ES-PLC-26 & 27) and two Carnival photographs from the 1950s (RE-CAR-355 & 356).  £1 per 6×4 Photographic Print.

WHAT’S IN OUR ARCHIVES  These are the family names of the 152 baptisms listed at the New Connexion Chapel (prior to the Salem) collated by James Lawson from 1790 – 1835. Addams, Ashton, Baker, Belcher, Blewitt, Brough, Bullivant, Churm, Clegg, Cole, Cooper, Crutchley, Dace, Davies, Day, Eccleshaw, Goswell, Hayward, Hemingsley, Hinton, Hodgkins, Horton, Jones, Lawson, Leyland, Lockett, Moore, Morgan, Newman, Parker, Parkinson, Peace, Pearson, Perry, Pinnock, Poyner, Read, Shorter, Simkin, Smith, Stanley, Street, Taylor, Tonks, Walker, Webb, Whitehouse, Wollaston, Wood.

ARCHIVE ADDITIONS/ARTEFACTS/DONATIONS  We have just received a package of 150 wonderful photographs from Diana Green, the possession of her late mother Mrs Phyllis Hallchurch.  They are mainly connected to her Stokes and Woottonfamilies but also contain many photographs of the following – Ridgway, Hawkins, Walton, Dakin, Martin, Hackett, Harrold, Perks, Smith, Pearson and Barratt as well as 94 unknown ones.  There are also some fascinating ones including Arthur ‘killed in action 15 Oct 1917’, ‘Barry Richards left for Australia July 1949’, several weddings with one of Meg & John Dixie (27 Jul 1940), WWI soldiers, WWII RAF personnel, a lad in a wicker wheelchair and ones just named ‘Edie’, ‘Clifford’ and ‘Marjorie’.  The local connection is also confirmed with some photographers named as Eric Pee of 25 Hatherton Street and Lockley & Poxon from Bridgtown & Cheslyn  Hay.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK 50/100 YEARS AGO by Mike Belcher 

18th July 1968 Cannock Advertiser  Story of Cheslyn Hay garage owners, Raymond and John Dickin rebuilding a 1921 Morgan.

18th July 1968  Fears that the Talbot S.C. football clubs number one fan were being treated unfairly by the Cannock Chase Football League by Miss Lynne Yates, who demanded an explanation.

20th July1918 Cannock Chase Courier  Official news was received  by Mr. and Mrs. W. Bowen, of Hatherton Street, that their son Sergeant George W. Bowen, of the Royal Scots had been killed in action with full details of his life and army career.   Also it appears that Private W. Westwood, also of Hatherton Street, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Westwood, who is in the Northumberland Fusiliers, is missing.  He has not been heard of since May 27th.

20th July1918  Results of a Flag Day arranged by Mrs. S. Poxon and Miss Ruby Brearley for the British Red Cross Society.

20th July1918   A  meeting of the Local Relief Committee and Red Cross Society with a report from Mr. Brough who had sent two parcels for Private J. Waltho and Private G. Kingston who are Prisoners of War.

suewashington.cheslynhayhistory@btinternet.com

Having stood down as Chairman last year I am now pleased to announce that my good old friend Sue Washington will be taking over my role as Editor of the Weekly Newsletter as from next week.  I would like to thank all members for your support over the past 8½ years (first newsletter 17th January 2010) with the absolute confidence in knowing that Sue will equally enjoy the same association with you all in the years ahead.  For future ‘Requests’ and contributions please email Sue      suewashington.cheslynhayhistory@btinternet.com

EVENTS  On Thursday July 19th we are starting our beginners course on Family History at the Cheslyn Hay library from 2.00 pm until 5.00pm.  We have already received a very encouraging response and Malcolm Podmore will be running them together with other experienced researchers on hand.  For further information telephone Malcolm on 01922 410021 or 07794418295.

OUR SALEM BASE is open as usual for everyone from 9am – 2pm every Tuesday.

REQUESTS  Further to the recent resurrected interest in the Stokes/Hodgekins/Bate families, Ann Molloy (nee Stokes) from Australia passes on her ‘grateful thanks to our team for all the documents just received’ and emails ‘It is so wonderful to have this information as we now think we are some way to getting to the bottom of the mystery of how John Stokes came into possession of the two properties but land transfers seem to have become organised in the late 1860s.  So it is early days yet and we still have some digging to do!  John Stokes was a miner all his life and so were his sons, my grandfather and his brothers probably being the last of a dying breed.  My ancestor was Charles Stokes, the son of John and Rebecca born 1832, who went to Longton in the 1850s to find work.  He lived with his brothers, Enoch, Sylvanus (Venus) and James.  Some time later Venus went back to Cheslyn Hay to live and he died there in the 1860/70s possibly from a coal related illness.  As far as we know, Moses did not leave Cheslyn Hay but stayed on with his mother and father until his marriage.  Both John and Rebecca were widowed when they  married in 1832 but they had lived together for many years before that.  We cannot be sure who their spouses were but we think Rebecca was previously married to James Hodgkins.’  And Ann would be grateful for any further information to add to her researches.

There has been some interest raised of the copy we have in our archives of the first baptisms at the New Connexion (prior to the Salem) collated from 1790 – 1835.  Unfortunately not all of our members are able to visit our Base so we will be only too pleased to help wherever possible.  John Russell Davison emails from Reigate ‘I am still looking for clues about Joseph Russell born somewhere in Staffordshire circa 1806 and his wife Ann Locket(t) born in Cheslyn Hay circa 1816. There was another Ann Lockett daughter of Job Lockett & Jane Westwood born in Cheslyn Hay in 1817 but she died young.  Could some kind person in the Society take a look at this new set of records for any mention of Joseph, Ann or any Russell children such as their daughter Eleanor Russell born in 1835 following their marriage on 28th October 1833?’

RESPONSES  Vi, Jean and Malcolm have all chipped in with all the information that Norma required on her Onions family including births, marriages and deaths as well as addresses and occupation of all the family.

And Vi has now successfully responded to Jeanette Jones’s quest from Virginia in April to trace the part of her husband’s Cheslyn Hay family who remained here whilst the others emigrated in 1910 and has now been able to supply Jeanette with the name, address and telephone number of one of her husband’s Arrowsmith’s g-granddaughters.

Finally the only lead our Jean has for Lindsay on her Thomas Whitehouse (b1827 in Wyrley Bank) who married Martha Charlesseems that they emigrated to Iowa in America.

ARCHIVE ADDITIONS/ARTEFACTS/DONATIONS  Family history of four generations of the Peach family donated by Mick Clarkgoing back to Thomas (b1838) and linking with others including the Leech, Frank, Wollaston and Middleton families.

OLD NEWSPAPERS researched by Dave Washington  An appeal for donations to build a new church (St Marks) to accommodate the townships of Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay.  Family names aleady contributed include Walhouse, Gilpin, Hordern, Messenger, Smith, Greensill, Massen, Lycett, Forrester, Yates, Rathbone, Bettson, Charnley, Hatton, Sayer, Bowdler, Poyner, Jones, Green, Marshall, James, Edgerton, Lewis, Benton, Bate, Farnell, Evans, Stringitharm & Cooper. (Wolverhampton Chronicle 29 April 1840)

WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK 50/100 YEARS AGO by Mike Belcher

11th July 1968 Cannock Advertiser     Glancing Backwards 25 Years to 10 July 1943    The second of a series of product shows in aid of the Red Cross and Village Comforts Funds was held at Cheslyn Hay Working Men’s Club on Sunday with names of judges and competitors.

11th July 1968  The Cheslyn Hay Women’s Own held their traditional garden party with an added attraction of a children’s dancing display with all od the stallholders named.

13th July 1918  Cannock Chase Courier  A Garden Party was held on Saturday afternoon, at ‘Glenthorne’, the grounds being kindly lent by Mr and Mrs T A Hawkins.  Full coverage of the event including the Pierriot Troupe and the appearance of Private Butterworth.

13th July 1918  On Sunday evening a sacred concert was well given in the grounds of ‘The Park’ with full details given of the performers.

13th July 1918  An government award given to Sapper William Brian of 40, Low Street.  Details of his army service given.

GENERAL NEWS  An interesting email comes from Phil Jones ‘Just noticed a Hawkins/Coppice/ Cheslyn Hay wagon just on sale (Hornby 00).  Not sure if it’s a re-issue, but ideal if any locals want their own ‘coal-train’.  The contact is Hattons, telephone  0151 733 3655.  Ref : Hornby R6875 (coal wagon Hawkins £13).  They have also had more batches in of the Warstones Bedford bus …. must be really popular!

trevor.cheslynhayhistory@talktalk.net

EVENTS  No Chat ‘n’ Char at the Salem this Thursday, 12th July as it has been replaced by our coach trip to the Liverpool World Museum to see the Terracotta Army.  Please note the coaches will be leaving the Salem at 8am.

OUR SALEM BASE is open from 9am – 2pm every Tuesday and open to everyone.

REQUESTS  A request from Lindsay on our website stating ‘I’m trying to find information on Thomas Whitehouse, born about 1827 to John Whitehouse and Sarah Auld.  The 1861 Census shows Thomas was born in Wyrley Bank. He was married to Martha Charles and living in Tipton at the time. Thank you in advance for any information anyone might have!’

An unusual request from Norma Barta in Michigan who we have helped in the past to research her Bowen family from Cheslyn Hay but she appeals for help on her mother’s side who have no connection locally.  Norma emails ‘I am going in circles trying to find information about my uncle, my mother’s brother.  He was John T Onions, born in 1896/97 in Walsall, to my grandparents, Thomas Onions and Fanny Elizabeth (Brown) Onions I have him in the 1901 and 1911 censuses. In both,  he was living with his parents at Croft Street in Walsall but I can’t find a record of his death.  Can you help me please?  I have only recently discovered his existence as as no-one in my family has ever mentioned him, so I really would appreciate some help if possible.’

RESPONSES  Further to Steve Evans and Alison’s recent visit, our researcher Vi has confirmed that the evacuee was Barbara Joyce Gill and she remained in Cheslyn Hay after the war had ended and she married a Robert Marriner from Stafford.  Also Steve has been given several memories from the friends that Barbara had.

We are also able to help William Thomason in his quest for information  on his Peach and Wollaston family.  Vi gives a full report on the family’s history and whereabouts and Mick Clark emails ‘Francis Peach and Ethel Wollaston were my grandparents and Francis was the ninth child of Thomas and Betsy Leech’.  Mick then forwarded four generations of his family going back to 1838 together with dates of births and deaths and where they lived as well as photographs.

ARCHIVE ADDITIONS/ARTEFACTS/DONATIONS  Copies of the deeds to Bowyers Farm (2 Littlewood Road) with information of the purchasers and other interested parties including the Stokes family (Moses, Charles, Harriet, Thomas, John, Rebecca, Enoch Stokes), Hawkins (John & Sophia Hawkins), Sophia Bate, Walker (Robert, Maria, George, Hannah Walker), Hatton (John Thomas, Frank, Christopher Hatton), Rogers (Emma & Arnold), John Wesley Thomas, John Baker, William Crutchley, Isaiah Bowen, Sarah Jane & Reuben Dunn,  Harry Jones, Frederick John Ridgway, Albert George Bowyer.

A copy of the first baptisms at the New Connexion (prior to the Salem) collated by James Lawson in 1835.  Total of 152 baptisms from 1790 – 1835 together with some research notes available at our Base on Tuesdays.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK 50/100 YEARS AGO by Mike Belcher

4th July 1968 Cannock Advertiser  Details of Cheslyn Hay Salem Wesley Women’s  barbeque at the home of Mrs B Hackett of 5 High Street, Cheslyn Hay, to raise funds to subsidise their autumn fair last week.  Nearly 70 people attended the event and all the names of stallholders and helpers given.

4th July 1968  Representatives from Great Wyrley Secondary Modern School entertained the members of Cheslyn Hay Over 60s Club at their meeting last week.  The headmaster of the school, Mr A E Sweet, was the guest speaker.  Also involved were Mr D Smith, Mr Poxon, Mrs G Plant, Mrs Waltho, Mrs Knott, Mrs L Baker, Mr Poxon, Mrs Grant, Mrs Bray and Mrs Collins.

6th July 1918 Cannock Chase Courier  Full details of one of the most interesting bowling matches that has taken place on the Senior Bowling Green, was witnessed on Saturday, when Wood Green, Wednesbury, were the visitors.

6th July 1918  Activities given of the children attending the Council School for the local Soldiers benefit.

6th July 1918   At the meeting of Cannock Rural District Council, on Friday, Mr and Mrs S Mellor, of Station Street, Cheslyn Hay, were elected caretakers at the Isolation Hospital.

APPEAL  Roger is appealing to anyone who may have use of any Childrens or Adults Dressmaker dummies to lend to ourselves over the weekend 5th & 6th October for our Exhibition.  Please contact Roger on 01785 212412 or 07928070061.

FOR FAMILY HISTORIANS  With the interest in family history research through DNA databases, below is a theoretical number of ancestors you could have in 18 generation … without any cross linking.  Assuming each generation averages out at 25 years you are looking at over a quarter of a million ancestors taking you back to just the mid 17th century.  An interesting thought…..

                                    15th Great Grandparents        131,072

14th Great Grandparents          65,536

13th Great Grandparents          32,768

12th Great Grandparents          16,384

11th Great Grandparents            8,192

10th Great Grandparents            4,096

9th Great Grandparents              2,048

8th Great Grandparents              1,024

7th Great Grandparents                 512

6th  Great Grandparents                256

5th Great Grandparents                 128

4th Great Grandparents                   64

3rd Great Grandparents                   32

2nd Great Grandparents                  16

Great Grandparents                           8

Grandparents                                      4

Parents                                                 2

Self                                                        0

Total Number of Ancestors in 18 Generations           262,142

trevor.cheslynhayhistory@talktalk.net