RIDING CROP

The riding crop belonging to my Great Grandfather Ernest Yates

He used to ride over to Alkmonton to court my Great Grandmother Elizabeth Tudor

DONALD AND DOROTHY YATES

Dad's cousin Donald and his wife Dorothy

THE MOUNT, CARPER LANE, BRAILSFORD

The Mount, Carper Lane, Brailsford

The Farm where my Great Grandmother Mary Yates (nee Millington)

farmed when she moved from Brailsford Old Part

following the death of her husband Hamlet Yates

BRAILSFORD OLD PARK FARM

Dad's cousin Geoffrey Yates and his Grandaughter Grace

Brailsford Old Park Farm as it is now

my Great Great Grandparents had a farm there in the 1800's

VISIT TO BROWN HOUSE ASHLEYHAY WHERE MY GRANDMOTHER WAS BORN

Went on a lovely trip out in North Derbyshire today and managed to track down the farm where my grandmother Ethel May Yates was born

Its just on the outskirts of Wirksworth - travelling towards Wirksworth from Derby you pass through Idrigehay and then turn right which takes you to a collection of farms and cottages on the hillside, its not signposted.

I asked someone where it was and they directed me to a white metal gate which we had to open and go along the farm track through the fields of sheep. The occupants who lived there were friendly and welcoming which was good as I felt I was intruding a bit, it was so out of the way, not somewhere you could pass by. They showed me some census information they had confirming that Ernest Yates was farming there as a tennant farmer when it was sold in 1896 by a Dr John Adsetts. Took some photo's, its a beautiful place with marvellous views but I could imagine it would be hard living there in the winter with no electicity and so far from civilization.

WILLIAM ERNEST YATES

William Ernest Yates and Marjory Green

William Ernest Yates was my Grandmother's younger brother

I have recently found a long lost cousin Geoffrey Yates and his brother Donald and visited them at their farm in Sutton on the Hill near Brailsford

William Ernest is their father

Geoff has done a lot of family history research and I have got lots of really interesting information from him and also the new photo's on the blog

It was fascinating and really great to meet him and catch up on the family

ON THE FARM

Donald Yates and Bess

FIELD HOUSE FARM SPONDON

In Photo - Flo Anthony, Old Mrs Yates and Ada

ON THE FARM

My Dad used to tell me about his 'holidays' to his grandparents at Field House Farm at Spondon

This photo shows him (standing in front) and his brother Ron with their Aunt Ada, Jessie and Uncle William's wife Marje. They were often packed off there for the summer and had great fun.

GREAT GRANDMOTHER ELIZABETH YATES (TUDOR)

This photo of my Great Grandmother was taken in 1925 the year her husband died.

It may have been taken on the day of his funeral as she is in mourning clothes and continued to wear black for the rest of her life. She died in 1938

ELIZABETH YATES nee TUDOR MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER

Elizabeth Tudor was born in 1862 and lived at Basford Hall Farm in Cheddleton, Staffordshire

she married Ernest Yates, son of Hamlet in 1891 in Ashbourne

She was known as 'The Dragon' by her family !

They had five children - Ethel May (grandmother) Hilda Mary, Ada Elizabeth, William and Jessie Victoria

Her parents were Thomas Tudor (1831-1911) and Harriet Hill (1833-1915)

BRAILSFORD OLD PARK FARM, BRAILSFORD NORTH

Brailsford Old Park Farm, Brailsford North

where Hamlet Yates farmed

The farm was secluded and out in the wilds, clost to common land where gipsies roamed and would come and steal the milk

MY GREAT GREAT GRANDPARENTS

Mary Yates (nee Millington)

Hamlet Yates (born 1804) with Owen (my Great Grandfather Ernest Yates' twin brother)

DEATH CERTIFICATES

I have just ordered a couple of death certificates. I'm excited waiting for them to arrive. Sad or what ! Its just that its been snowing all day so I've been in most of the day doing my family history stuff.

Hamlet Yates (my great great grandfather) was married twice. His first wife Sarah died aged 35 so I've ordered that one to find out how she died. He then went on to marry again in his fifties to my great great grandmother Mary. He had loads of children, including my great grandfather Ernest Yates. One of his daughters by his first wife Sarah died aged 25 so I've ordered that one as well.

COUSINS WEDDINGS

Eeeek ! Well it was the 70's

Janet and David Marshall

Carol and Dave Simpson

Jill and Kevin Tivey

Elizabeth and Mick Blood

(love the dress)

Robert and Jean Baker

Roger and Geraldine Timmins

Colin and Wendy Timmins

Tony and Bev Wileman

Martyn and Geraldine Wileman