Family History

[magicbeatle]

Hi Everyone, Anyone got any interesting family history? By that I mean things like... lucky escapes in the blitz, or any other war story?... related to or met famous people in history?... helped build the Titanic?, or died on it?... that type of thing. For instance, my Wifes Great Grandfather was interviewed on suspicion of being Jack the Ripper. (Explains a lot) Come on, let's here them.

[dot.hawkes]

My children's great great grandmother lived in the same building where one of the Rippers victims was found, she was 3 years old at the time.

My Great Great grandfather built Ripponden Arches.

My childrens great great great great Grandfather was Fighting Zacky lee, who was related to The Boswells, of the Gypsy Royalty fame.

My Great Great Grandmother was related to Amy Johnson.

[spudqueen]

My Gran worked on a travelling fairground in pre-world war one days, on the shooting range, when they used live bullets. One night a drunk missed the target and shot my Gran in the head. She was taken by horsed ambulance to Burnley hospital where they managed to save her life. A year later she married my Grandad who was shot in the chest in world war I, but survived. I feel lucky to be here, especially as my Mum was a rather late addition to their family and wasn't born until 1933!

My Great Grandad was into identity theft! The child he claimed to be died aged 30 minutes old. I have (eventually!) found his marriage certificate which gives away what I think is his real name and names his father but I cannot find a birth certificate for him. And why did he want to change his name and distance himself from his family? Is there another secret there waiting to be unfolded!

[magicbeatle]

Wow, Some amazing stories there!
Anyone got any more?
dot.hawkes, Do you know what Ripper victim it was?

[SallyX]

My maternal ancestors fled from France during the revolution to escape the guillotine. Some settled in america and some in the uk. 2 of them are buried in Bunhill Cemetary,their inscriptions read "Phillipe and Lois Duprey gentlemen".