Whilst lockdown is happening, I have been filling in some gaps in my family’s history. Back in my early teens, I remember a couple – Alf and Mary – getting married at St Albans Register Office and my Grandma preparing a wedding tea for them. I even have photos of the couple but did not know their connection. Grandma had a sister, Alice SMITH who married a chap named Michael GRAVES. Two of their daughters were Winifred (1902-1965) and Mary (1911-1978). Winifred married Alfred William BARTON in 1928. It turns out that this Alfred BARTON was the same chap who married Mary GRAVES in 1967 – two years after her sister Winifred had died. Alf and Mary both died in Westcliff-on-Sea – 1979 and 1978 respectively. I wondered why Westcliff-on-Sea rang a bell when I found Alf’s death and now I know – Grandma had mentioned it several times. I am just so pleased that I have identified the couple in the photographs – and little did I know that we were related!
