My family appeared in Cottingham around 1710 when William Astell (or Astill) married Mary Bradley. His son, William, was born there in 1712 but moved to Rockingham to marry Sybella Clow. I believe that his siblings remained in Cottingham. I am currently updating the family history and looking for additional information.

This is regarding the bibliography of WH Lane Crauford, novelist. You have listed 49 books. Can you tell how many are mystery novels and which are they ? Is there a series detective ?

[We know of 26 Novels, actually. There is a biography of WHLC, including a personal review of three of the titles, in the PURPLE pages at: WH Lane Crauford - Novelist.. - Ed]

Hi, I'm so excited to come across your website as Frederick Claypole (Belper, Derbyshire) was my Great Grand-father. I'm currently researching my family tree and have gone back as far as the 1500's. It's brilliant to find family connections online and I'll be following your newsletter with interest. I'd love to connect with you further. I look forward to hearing from you.

These are some facts about Frederick Claypole.

He was born on 21st July 1899 in Milford, Derbyshire. His father Alfred was 40 and his mother Emily was 38. He married Edith Lewis on 10th August 1918 in Belper, Derbyshire. He died on 23rd December 1974 in Derby Hospital. They had 3 children. His daughter Jessie was born on 11th February 1920 in Belper and died in September 1940 in Belper aged just 20. His son Edwin was born on 12th May 1922 in Belper and he died in October 2000 in Babington Hospital, Belper. His son Vernon was born in October 1935 in Belper and now lives in Western Australia.

Charlotte Claypole

Hi, I wonder if you might help me. I moved into my house in Corby Road Cottingham in 2019. My house is accessed via a pathway from Corby Rd which leads to the rear of The Royal George Pub, my house is attached to the pub. Unfortunately I have no deeds for my property and am trying to find out some of its history......approx age, was it always a cottage, could it have been part of the pub or an attached outbuilding. The rear of the house is on Blind Lane and very close to Barrack Yard, as was. I love local history and have really enjoyed reading about Barrack Yard.
Hoping you can help.
Kind regards......Lesley

[ This article can be found in the RED pages at: We are the Barrack Yard Preservation Society.. - Ed]

Hi, my great great great grandmother was Julia Craxford 1844-1928.
I would love any further information regarding the Spence family. My great grandfather is Harold Edward Spence. I am missing photos and links between some family members.

Evelyn Craxford was my 2nd Great Aunt. I have inherited a trophy from her. It is a cup marked as the EWBA Secretaries and Treasurers Winner, 1936, Middlesex.
Please feel free to contact me if you would like any more details.

Hello Alan,

This is simply a note to say 'thank you very much' for publishing the photo of our 1953 class at Mantle Road Infants' School.
As I've become older I've often wished I'd retained my copy. [Don't we look scruffy?]
When my mother married in 1957 my surname changed to 'Corbett' although I still retain 'Clarke' as a middle name.
I wish I knew what happened to my particular friend Nicholas Green.

Look forward to seeing if my ancestors are found on here :)

Hello, I am absolutely thrilled to have stumbled across your website which is most impressive and helpful. My grandmother is Florence Nott who was born on 14/9/1907 in North Shields (daughter of Isabella Nessworthy and Joseph Nott). Is it possible to get full access to the site rather than guest access and if so what do you need from me?
I think I have some snippets of information that don't appear on the database on a few of the people lower down on this branch (including a couple of mistaken spellings on documents outside of your database that I have seen). Would you be interested in these even though it is a side line to the Craxford trees?

Looking to find Darlene Holloway. Believe she may be daughter of Priscilla Burlton. Darlene was born 1952. Any information would be great. I have photos of us as children in Cyprus I would like to share with her. If I have the wrong Priscilla, please let me know, Thanks.