Hi colin, I have just started my family tree yesterday and was staggered at how far I had gone (mum had some old certificates so was a great help...) seems we share Charl Mende. My great grandfather was William Mender (somehow Mende was dropped) b.1868 on censuses 1871 and 1881 so any info you can pass on would be so appreciated. I was always told that 'Grandfather Mender'; had travelled from Germany on a trunk, which sat in the Parlour in Darlington. the seat had a dent where he had been perched on the journey to England. I saw the birth certificate of William today and was sad to see that Christiana was only able to put her 'cross' as her signature.
William and Ann must have been brother and sister?
William worked as a Wire furnaceman, mum told me he lost an eye when he worked there in sheffield. (how awful)...Mum now is 76 and I would love to finally put to rest the rumour about how an ancestor appears to have been German. Thats all I know about him. Until today we didnt know his name etc..
Thanks a million, Carol and thanks for reading this