General Chat

Re Can You Believe This! Yes Norah, this was our first attempt at genealogy. The most amazing things happened during our search. In another instance our search led us to Cannock (lovely part of the country) following the trail of my husbands g.aunt a Mary May Griffiths. Mary May entered Reading University College in 1893 to study dairy management. She had acquired a rare skill at butter making at her farmhouse home in Wales. It appeared this really was her forte and when she qualified she was skilled and confident enough to lecture and demonstrate her skills all over the country. She was appointed superintendent of Queen Victoria’s dairies at Balmoral. We learn from old papers “She enjoyed the Queens favours and worked very hard to earn them” While at Balmoral she wrote a series of letters home to her parents (my husbands G.G. Grandparents) describing her work there. She also wrote of visitors to the model dairies (as they were known) Amongst the visitors were the young Princes and Princesses and members of Russian Royal Family. The royal children loved spending time watching Mary at work. She delighted them by turning out pats of butter decorated with swans, rabbits and many other animals. Also mentioned is a visit by Lady Randolph Churchill, a new bride, sent by her husband to view the model dairy. From the dates, we now know this was the mother of Winston Churchill, later Prime Minister of England. A conversation between a Mr. Forbes, the factor at Balmoral has the Queen asking him “Is my Miss Griffiths back? Are you sure all is right for her comfort at the dairy now?” It would appear Mary had trouble with her legs (V.Veins) and the Queen had the carpenters make a special stool made for her to offer some relief. The Queen was very fond of Mary and gave her a pearl and turquoise broach, a signed portrait in a beautiful frame and some Russian sable furs. Mary’s greatest regret was the loss of a pair of Royal Vases (as she referred to them) given to her by the Queen. They were smashed in transit when she sent them back home. After four years she was forced to return home to Wales to nurse her mother was in poor health. On leaving the Royal diaries Queen Victoria presented her with a silver medal, usually only given after completion of ten years service. In 1960 Mary Mays letters home were discovered and reprinted in “The Farmers Weekly” It was in the museum at Haverford West that we found copies. Included was a very dried up flower, we wondered what was the story behind it. We later learned Mary had taken it from the wreath, sent by the Russian Royal Family on the death of Victoria.. As I write this I have before me the book I compiled on Mary May. Her picture shows a girl aged about 22yrs. a delicate beautiful face with thick dark hair piled up on top of her head. A high collard white blouse is set off with a large fresh rose. Of all the people we have learned of during our research, Mary May is my favourite, well, almost. There is my husband’s grandmother, but hey ! That’s another story! Of course Mary’s story did not end there! Now I must stop, hubby starving so back to the kitchen for yours truly. Love, Bridget.

Bridget What a wondeful story! I wish I could find someone half as interesting in my tree! Sue

What a wonderful story! Being able to "see into" the lives of our ancestors makes them so much more than names and dates.

Hi Bridget, I too, love stories of the "olden days" Thank you for sharing! Lindy;-)

Hi Bridget, That was fascinating!! How fortunate you are to be able to find these things in your delving. Please, if you have any more stories, please do share them, I think from the answers you have received, how welcome they are. Love Norah x

Thanks Bridget - that was lovely, how lucky you and your hubby are, so interesting:o) Jude