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Hi Lesley,

Yes, of course, my line is through Julia's son Christopher Charles Barber, I think Wilfred is the son of Elsie Powell, nee Barber, Christopher's younger sister. Christopher had 8 children, and unfortunately his life and those of his children and grandchildren were quite traumatic and in some cases tragic. Christopher's 2nd child was Geoffrey Barber, b.1921, I am his granddaughter through his eldest daughter (5th child of 9).
Our story also has an interesting link - I am sure you have read about the Berrow Murders in which a Sheen was murdered in his bed along with a Gummery family?
It is only the descendants of Christopher Charles Barber and his wife Alice Gummery who can claim a link to all those who were murdered in the house that night!!
I have also done quite a lot of research, including the route that James Sheen and his family took across America with the handcart company. However, I keep going back and rehashing it every now and then. Having looked deeper into the American side we have some amazing connections over there, including an American Football Player, a Baseball player and the person who is responsible for coining the term the 'golden hour' following an accident and equipping ambulances with the life saving equipment that they do nowadays!
I will message you with my email address in case you wish to enquire more about my line, it would be great to hear what stories Wilfred (Jim) has, unfortunately we are no longer in contact with the wider family other than the grandson of Julia and James Barbers other son, Hubert.
Kind regards
Heather

Hi Julie
It is a very small world!
My nan moved into * South View in June of 1958, my dad was born in the July. Her name was Pat Merchant, however, she was a Sollis before she married Charlie in 1954. I forgot about the sweet shop until you mentioned in, but yes, I remember my nan saying about it now. My parents moved into no.* following Mrs Main, and I assume the people who bought no.* after your grandmother are still part of the same family who live there now as they were there before we moved in, sold up and then about 15 years ago their son bought it back.They have greatly extended the house and part of the pig sty is still standing, I remember climbing on it when I was little when the land was allotments. Sadly it has been sold on and awaiting development. No.* are in the process of selling part of the front garden in order for them to have access to the site. To add to the names in the street, there were also Voyce's living at no.* and I believe the Cox's moved into no * after Mrs Main moved to no.7. I remember Farmers living at no. * but I have no idea how long they had lived there for.

Sollis's have lived in the village since the 1880-1890s but they also branch from the Trapps and Wilsons who also branched off into Camdens, Haines and Paynes - all of whom were local of course! (and mostly living in Church street) . Even in the 80s when I was a child I remember walking down the road and either knowing or being related to most of the people along the road and down the close! Other names that you may remember who are fairly closely related were the Stephens' and Bagnalls, and also more Voyces's (not those at no. *)?

I will have a trawl back through all my stuff to see what I have and who links in where as I can't remember off the top of my head and I'll get back to you.

Heather