General Chat

Come now Mary lass, your eyes be turning green. I'll not be dallying with anyone this new years eve. No guinness Elizabeth darlin, but a wee splash of poteen be yours for the askin luv.

Och - Can I trouble yers fer a wee dram o' summut te keep out the cold? Me shawls bin darned te kingdom come

Mary I'm afraid I don't get out much with my duties to the parish and my grocery business But when I do i may be found propping up the bar in the Red Cross. Its a convenient place to have meetings for the local social club - of which I am secretary - as its next door to my house (1 Waterloo Place). And the ale there is very good, which is why I persuaded the landlord to let me bring a barrel tonight. Please have some more of my root mash. It's made to an old family recipe which I got from my grandmother in Wiltshire. Henry

Och Henry hein - Mary had te go - take her drunken hubby home - but Im younger and prettier and have bin lookin fer a job in London for my wee self

Thank you, Bridget!! Your good health! Have we met before, Henry?

*****Elbows Elizabeth out of the way****** Master Henry kind Sire - I have references n stuff

Annie It is a shame Mary had to leave but of course she must put her husband first. My lady wife was previously under housemaid to a stockbroker and his family. I believe they still have a vacancy. It is only a small household - the parents, two children, a French governess and children's nurse. It would be a good starting point for a career in service to a reputable London household. Next time I visit London to bid in antique auctions on behalf of the local gentry I'll pop by and put in a good word for you. Henry

Och my wee Annie tis yer Dadda here to take thee away home hein !! Plenty of time to be thinking of jobs when you reach the ripe old age of 10!!

I was born in Lambeth in 1862. I am a coachman. So I can't drink, not while driving. But pleased to meet you all.

Good Evenin to yer Willie my laddo - dont think the drinkin n drivin laws have been enforced yet! Have a tankard of ale an stop yer whittlin

If you insist. Thank you. And there's my wife Elizabeth, she likes a drink.

My wife is called Isabelle - never could find out what her maiden name was! Cheers Folks!

James Good gracious I didn't realise Annie was that young. Of course you need to hold her close - my wife was at least 12 when she got her first job. You take good care of Annie for the next couple of years, I have a feeling I will go on to have 2 daughters and I am sure I will do the same with them. And of course at that age there is plenty they can do at home to help. Henry

Och you are right there Henry tis a sad bad world in which we live! Here join me in a wee dram and we will drink to The Future!!

Oooooh! here come the garda. Henry, please hold my pot.....erm milk urn while I find a cold box for the butter pot............ And do a disappearing act!

James I will drink to the future with you - and Bridget I will resolve your dilemma by drinking to the future with the contents of your milk urn so all evidence will be gone. There (hic!), all is sorted. No need to fear the garda. Anyway, one of my descendants will be a dashing police officer so if we have any problems he will be able to deal with them. Henry

Well I am afraid I must be away now though the night is still young. I've just received urgent word that my great grand-daughter is on the verge of identifying the 4000th member of our family tree. I must go and join the gathering as we ancestors await the magic moment. Its so very exciting and I must be there to help welcome the latest family member home. I bid you goodnight. Henry Albert Whatley

Good Night Henry! Thank you for your input! Hope to see you again! ;o)))) Kim X

Goodnight, Henry!! And now for a cocktail, Kim?!!

Hi all Thanks for entertaining great grandfather Henry tonight. He is a hugely interesting man and had a wonderful time at the party - he would very much like to meet all your ancestors again at some point. He's off now mixing with the rest of the family (a bit the worse for wear as a result of that whisky and poteen he swigged). They're all gathering round waiting for me to unveil our 4000th family member. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to oblige tonight as I've had a couple of glasses of wine myself. I'm not normally an ancestor hunter as such - I kind of find them by accident - but as we're so close to the 4000 mark I've said I'll give it a try between now and midnight tomorrow. I'm sure the person I'm looking for is hiding in the Horton Kirby parish registers so I'd better get back to ploughing through them. Night all Angela