Stories my maternal grandmother told me inspired me to begin tracing the family ancestors in July 1965. My work as a piano tuner and church organist proved useful for gaining access to the Parish Registers of clergy in the area (who I knew through tuning pianos etc.), which were then in their respective churches.
Now retired from work I am devoting myself to continue researching all aspects of the family history. Since 1974 I have also been engaged in researching the history of the Chicksands Priory estate and as Chairman & Historian for the Friends of Chicksands Priory, Bedfordshire (see www.chicksandspriory.co.uk for further details).
I have done extensive research on the families of Wagstaff, of Bedfordshire, Rugeley of Bedfordshire, Warwick and Staffordshire, and Sheldon of Worcestershire.