Page 10 - link magazine

10 LOCAL LIVES
Pioneer of the west
looks further back into history
Three years ago an old family pho- hoarded items belonging to the fam-
TM n tograph dated 1863 sparked the cu- ily, including dozens of well pre-
riosity and inaginationof Don Leigh served photographs. With informa-
f.,4,shre,,.,.=..k.-,wys
from Marken-field, Toothill. Now tion supplied by relations and visits
after countless hours of investiga- to the County Records Office at
tion, he's about to publish a book Trowbridge, he has been able to trace
CHOOSE US FIRST
which brings together his research the lines of descent in the many
For the Best Quality Take Home Food Available for future generations. branches of the family.
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DO YOU NEED FURNITURE REPAIRING
OR RE-UPHOLSTERING?

OAKWOOD UPHOLSTERY

will re-upholster and repair all types of
upholstered furniture including domestic,
antique, office, hotel and restaurant.
Don with photographs of people he cannot identify
Full range of fabrics.
Don is well known to many peo- During his research he discov-
All work guaranteed. ple in West Swindon as the 'pio- ered that three families emigrated to
neering milkman of the western ex- the USA in 1893 and he has been
Tel: Swindon 725733 pansion' because he was often the able to establish where they fit in
first person they met after moving from information they supplied.
for a free estimate
into their new house. For eleven Unfortunately, and inevitably,
years he was responsible for search- there are photographs Don cannot
ingout new customers down muddy identify and there is nobody alive
Sugaring streets as thearea grew, but although who can help him. The mystery of
he left the rounds in 1988 to work who they are will have to remain.
more sociable hours, people still say However it is remarkable that he
Ladies! Are you tired of unwanted facial and body hair, 'there's the milkman.' has been able to trace the family
then why not try the ancient technique called 'Sugaring'. "Seeing that old photograph of a back so far.
distant relation sparked something "It's not just a family tree," said
A safe and natural way of hair removal. It is not waxing
in me, but I never imagined that I Don. "With the detail I have on each
or electrolysis and there are no creams used.
would have met so many interest- person, I feel I know them all. And
ing people," said Don. "I cannot now future generations in the fam-
To find out more about this unique beauty treatment,
understand anybody who says that ily will know who went before
telephone Joanne Lister your local Zahra practitioner on
they've got time on their hands be- them."
Swindon 613484 (24 hour answer machine). cause this project has taken me all
over the place researching into pho-
I am also a qualified beauty therapist doing
tography, coins, family artifacts; it's Xmas party at
make up, manicure and pedicure etc. a case of once you've started, you're
smitten and can't stop." Shaw W.I.
I will do home visits anywhere.
On the one hand, he has been just reminderlad ies, that theShaw
quite lucky as the family have been WI Christmas party will take place
based mostly around Swindon and in theUpperShaw Community Cen-
Malmsbury. On the other, there are tre on 9 December. Visitors are
HOMELOVib himself is one of 11 children and his the hassle of Christmas prepara-
a lot of people to keep tabs on. Don welcome. This is the time to forget
mother at 80 years of age now has 40 tions and join the Shaw WI mem-
grandchildren. Add up all the cous- bers for an enjoyable evening. A
Does you home need ins, distant relatives and ancestors, good time and a laugh guaranteed!
a little care and attention? and he is dealing with over 1,000 Make a good start to 1992 by re-
people, 300 of whom are still alive. membering to attend our meetings
From a once-a-year spring clean to regular Those still living in the area get on the third Monday in the month
together each Christmas and in the at the Community Centre, Ramleaze
domestic help, Homelovers has the answer. summertheychartera double docker Drive at 730pm We have a full and
bus for a trip to seaside. varied programme lined up, for
All aspects of domestic help Don's research has traced his fam- every meeting throughout the year.
are covered by this service ily back to 1619 and he has photo- Come and share the fun and fellow-
graphs of relations going back to ship. See you there! A very happy
- ironing, oven cleaning, etc. 1844. When he first started his project and peaceful Christmas and New
Call Les Daniels on 727926 a tip-off from an aunt led him to his Year from all Shaw WI members to
father's cousin whose mother readers of The Link.