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Funny where life takes you…

Stories from beyond the family trees

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Author: Natalie Mayhew

Originally a London girl, now living in Rochester, Kent. Fascinated by social history and passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion

Exploring creative expression

Black and white image of a young girl c1963 concentrating on an unknown task

My brother and I enjoyed exploring arts and crafts during our childhood.  We had easy access to pencils, crayons, and paint, which we eagerly used on rolls of unused ancient wallpaper which smelled slightly of damp and coal due to being stored in our cellar.  The paints were little rectangular or round lozenges of dried … Continue reading Exploring creative expression →

Natalie Mayhew Recollections June 6, 2023April 24, 2024 4 Minutes

Make-believe play

Black and white photo of a young child wearing a nurse's outfit and carrying a toy doctor's bag

Growing up in a rather unorthodox and bohemian environment in the early 1960s, I don’t remember my brother or I having expensive and commercially produced ‘toys’, rather we were encouraged to play with the things around us and explore our world. Perhaps because our father was ‘in films’ we were especially encouraged to take part … Continue reading Make-believe play →

Natalie Mayhew Recollections May 25, 2023April 24, 2024 4 Minutes

A most trusted and loyal aide

Snowy winter scene with Glamis Castle in the background

Charles Reginald Collingwood (1855-1934): Thirty five years in service and links to a notorious Victorian gothic mystery

Natalie Mayhew Charles Reginald Collingwood (1855-1934) May 12, 2023September 8, 2024 16 Minutes

Just a soldier

John Eric Bovill (1894-1916) another young life lost through war

Natalie Mayhew Bovill, John Eric Bovill (1894-1916) March 26, 2023April 24, 2024 15 Minutes

Destiny and duty

Emma Levens (1873-1908) a story of love, marriage and motherhood in urban nineteenth century London

Natalie Mayhew Emma Levens (1873-1908) January 17, 2023October 14, 2024 12 Minutes

An early ‘Anti-Vaxxer’

Edward Wackrill (1840-1878) a nineteenth century 'anti-vaxxer' who refused to be vaccinated against smallpox

Natalie Mayhew Edward Wackrill (1840-1878) November 28, 2022April 24, 2024 8 Minutes

Gone without a trace

Edward Henry 'Teddy' Bovill (1887-1916) just one of the many thousands of 'Missing of the Somme'

Natalie Mayhew Bovill, Edward Henry 'Teddy' Bovill (1887-1916) November 12, 2022December 13, 2025 9 Minutes

Margaret Todd (1736-1809)

Pigmented wax and oil paint on glass of Margaret Todd Whetten showing an elderly lady in bonnet and shawl in profile

Margaret Todd (1736-1809) Overview with links to chapters on her story

Natalie Mayhew Margaret Todd (1736-1809) October 21, 2022April 24, 2024 1 Minute

Caught between the lines

Cowboys and Skinners Plundering Civilians during the Revolutionary War

Margaret Todd (1736-1809): 1736-1778, her early life and the first years of the Revolutionary War

Natalie Mayhew Margaret Todd (1736-1809) October 21, 2022April 24, 2024 7 Minutes

The Damnedest Rebel

Margaret Todd (1736-1809) 1778-1809, life in occupied New York

Natalie Mayhew Margaret Todd (1736-1809) October 21, 2022April 24, 2024 7 Minutes

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Funny Where Life Took Them
Some of the surnames on this site — click one to find stories behind it

Bailey Baker Banfield Banfield aka Wackrill Barrett Baynes Booth Bovill Bowes-Lyon Brevoort Bristow Brock Carson Chaldecott Collingwood Conway-Gordon Coolidge Cooper Cotton Courtauld Daley Dibben Dowman Down Earle Finch Fitzgerald Gordon Hall Harvey Hill Irving Kirby Krug Lane? Levens Mayhew Mayo Napier Obee Payne Poulton Rose Saumarez Sheldrake Todd Twohey Wackrill Whetten

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