Finding a Dodson cousin in Bath

I joined the Huntingdonshire Family History Society in Dec 2004 hoping to make use of the society records and member services to further explore the origins of the Dodsons of Yaxley. Little did I think that within 6 months I would get an e-mail from Margaret Long in Yaxley alerting me to the research she had carried out on behalf of James Dodson in Bath. Having made contact with James I was astounded to find that his grandfather Samuel Dodson was a brother of Florence Dodson my great grandmother. In other words we are both directly descended from their father George Dodson and mother Margaret Smith who lived in Yaxley. We are presently exchanging e-mails and I hope to meet James Dodson when we are in England in Sept.

Keeping up with the Jones'

When Theresa and I were in London in 2004 we visited my mother's first cousin Don Jones in Dagenham. This led to a contact with Don's brother David who was also researching his own family history. Since then we have been in contact by e-mail sharing information on the Jones family. David has carried out most of his research on the ground in London, which he has shared with me, while I have had the benefit of my mother's memories of her mother (Elizabeth Jones) and great grandparents (George Jones and Emma Jane Collins). My mother's collection of photographs has also helped to fill in the gaps. I have yet to meet David Jones and we hope to get together when I am in London in Sept.

At the graveside in Bari, Southern Italy

It was with some apprehension that I approached the War Cemetary in Bari. This was the end of a long promised journey. Such a peaceful place, so many headstones, all these young men, what a waste. Theresa and I searched for Arthur's grave, pausing to read the incriptions, over 2000 in all, and suddenly there it was beside his friend Jack Holt. They both died together in Sicily in April 1944. As I knelt beside my father's grave, such mixed emotions, the regret at not knowing him, the desire to find out all about him, the need to make sure his sacrifice was not forgotten. I thought of the words spoken at a remembrance ceremony attended by my mother and recorded by her.


"They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them"

The Canada Connection

When Theresa and I visited Canada I was excited about meeting my Dodson aunts and cousins who I had not seen for many,many years. We were not disappointed as everyone made us so welcome. I sat with Margery on the settee as we explored the Dodson history over three days. Her memory of childhood events and wartime experiences and romances was as sharp as a pin. Arlene provided some great family fotos and showed us some new tricks in a wheelchair. Our stay with Jaqueline was delightful and when she produced the Robinson/Richardson family bible which yielded so many facts about Mabel Robinson's family I was astounded. I never knew it existed and the old photos were a bonus. Reminiscing with Robert and Muriel about the war years, their romance and marriage was so interesting and I really appreciated receiving my father Arthur's wallet from Muriel. And finally a visit to Anita who was so welcoming to her home on Vancouver Island and more fotos for the family tree.
Let us not leave it so long again.