In April this year my son Steve, his wife Jo and our grandsons Tom and Ollie spent 28 wonderful days with us in Dominica. Lots of adventures and fun - and of course - a few cocktails!!! Andy and I loved it.

If you fancy a look at the blog of their visit you can see it by clicking on 'Kate-and-Andy-wandering'

Next week we are back in the real world of Blackpool. Just bought a car on ebay so lets hope it runs! Hoping to use it to get up and down to Mum whilst she settles into the care home. Looking forward to seeing all the family when we get back.

Just closing up Mango Lodge ready for rental to American Professors at the local University. Hope they look after it!

Dolly and Michael's Trip to NY - 1973

Dolly, Michael and Susan in New York 1973. George Washington bridge in background.

When we took Dolly to Broadway, she got out of the car and tap-danced - she couldn't believe she was actually on Broadway.

Dolly, Marge, Jack - USA 1973

Dolly, Marje and Jack at Steve (Marje & Jack's son) and Carol's wedding in 1973.

Wedding Day - Tom, Wendy and Martha

Martha looks beautiful at Tom and Wendy's wedding. Kate - what year was this?

Family Tree

Just deleted my version of family tree as it took up too much space. Check Derek's link which has much more information.

Family Tree

Here is a link to the Dowling family tree. Derek Wilson and my sister in law Jill have both been working on ancestry.com gathering information. (Thanks to you both)
This looks backwards to ancestors, rather than Martha's children onwards.

The result on 'ancestry' is only accessible if you register and pay, however this link takes you to a snapshot of what has been gathered. Click on the link and then use the 'ancestors/descendants/family' functions to navigate.

http://marthasfamily.tribalpages.com/tribe/browse?userid=marthasfamily&view=0&pid=43&rand=349389837

If anyone can fill in more gaps - write them in comments below.

O'Donnell family news

This is a good forum to bring everyone up to date with a huge change happening to my Mum - Rene O'Donnell. She has decided to move out of her flat and into a residential care home in Aughton.
Mum said she is sad to leave her lovely flat in Maghull, but she is looking forward to freshly cooked meals in her new 5* home. She moves on 15th May. It's a big step but she is struggling so much with her eyesight that everyone agrees it will be for the best.
Although Mum can't read - I can pass on any comments wishing her well. So click on "comments" below and bring em on........

I don't want to post her new address or phone number here - but if anyone wants them please email me.

ODonnell boys Two generations on

James and Adam ODonnell (Martha s GreatGreat grandsons )at this years St Patricks Day parade in Limerick

Billy Johnson

Amazing how all the Johnsons look so much alike. I remember Uncle Billy used to entertain us playing the banjo. So many great musicians from the Johnson family.....Dolly's kids did not inherit such talents, even though she sent me to piano lessons for years. Neither of my girls, Jenn and Alison, inherited any musical skills.
Never stopped us from enjoying a good 'do' though:)

Mavis and Eileen Taylor

Mavis and Eileen Taylor. Mavis died in her teens. Do any of the 'older' cousins remember her at all? Does anyone keep in touch with Eileen or know anything about her? She married a man named Stan

John Dowling

What a handsome guy he was! On the back of the photo it states that he died on September 1, 1956 at the age of 96.

O'Donnell Boys

Alan and Tom....

Not sure of date....maybe 1951/1952?

Three Johnsons

From left to right
Back: Billy, Gerry, Teddy
Front: Noreen and Rene

I think this was taken at Uncle Peter's funeral.

Dolly and Gerry at 38 Lathom Road

This was taken outside 38 Lathom Road.

Dolly and Gerry eventually rented 36 Lathom Road and Monica (Gerry's sister) her husband Philip later lived at 40 Lathom Road.

Breithaupt Boys

From left to right -

Billy, David, Stephen and Jimmy

The only one missing is Peter

A Great Day Out

From left to right -

Gerry, Dolly, not sure of gentleman in the middle,

Tom and Rene

Not sure when this was taken.

Teddy and Eileen Johnson & Family

Teddy and Eileen with their six children. Does anyone keep in touch with them?

Can anyone identify them?

Gerry With 8 of Marthas Great Grandchildren

Marthas 8 Great Grandchildren ( Whiteheads)with Gerry when they were all small.

Doll Aged 26 Flixton Manchester

Mum (Dolly) Flixton Aged 26

Dolly & Gerry in Flixton Manchester Aug 1946 when Dad returned from Burma

Doll Aged 26 with Gegs & Gerry Just after he returned from Burma 1946.At Aunty Hennies (Granny Whiteheads Younger Sister)

Aunt Ida In her Sweet Shop in Walton About 1950

Aunt Ida (Marthas Eldest) In the Sweet Shop she bought after Mavis Died in Walton by Goodison Park About 1950

Marthas Five Grandchildren (to Aunty Doll)
Mike : Sally : Ron : Susan : Gegs. At Richards
Wedding August 2005 Sheffield

7 of Marthas Great Grand Daughters & Mikes Wife ( Grandma In Law !!!!) From right to left

Jennifer (Sue's Daughter)Leesa( Rons Daughter)

Helen Whitehead (Mikes Wife) Kate & Becky (Rons Daughters)Ali (Sues Daughter)Rachel & Sarah ( Sallys Daughters) & Helen (A.MonsDaughter)

Meadows, Maghull

I can see Gerry,Rene and Dolly and some of their children, not sure about the rest!

Martha-4 generations

This was taken in the back garden of our house in Coppull Road, Lydiate.
Martha,Jennifer Breithaupt(Jobe) and Vera (Martha's daughter) .
The baby is now in his 40's-Jenny's son Dave!!

Dolly and Gerry's wedding

Hope you don't mind-I managed to lighten this photo!!!!

Martha - 1967

This was taken in 1967 when Martha was ill and Marge came to visit. The family used to take turns in sleeping over at her house so she wouldn't be alone.

Uncle Fred quoted in the local paper.....

Not sure how to make this larger on blog. If anyone wants a copy to be able to read, email me at cupot@nc.rr.com.

I remember Dolly telling me about Martha playing the piano when they were all kids. When Grandad was alive, Dolly said they always had a 'roaring fire' and meat on the table every night.

Dolly and Gerry's Wedding

Dolly and Gerry were married on May 10, 1941 during the May Blitz in Liverpool. Mom said the night before all of Liverpool was ablaze and the morning of the wedding there was no running water. Gerry is in his Argyle and Sutherland uniform. Monica, his sister and a cousin, not sure of his name are also in the photo.

Dolly

Dolly at 19 yrs

The Johnson Beauties

This was taken when Marge visited Martha in 1967.

Vera, Dolly, Rene and Marge.

O'Donnells

Don't you just love these.............

Golden Wedding

This is so beautiful. It is inscribed with 'Golden Wedding -To my brother - 29-1-27'. Does anyone know who this would be?

Martha's Dad.....

Martha's Mom - can anyone confirm?

Martha's Houses

I'd love to know a bit more about where Martha lived, I know she loved moving about!!!!She lived in Lydiate at the end of her life(1960's),in the bungalow in Coppull Road just down the road from our house,also I know she lived in Haigh Crescent in the flat down the alley(used to take her her dinner on a Saturday tea time-I think Rene used to do Sundays!!)also Southport Road, Clent Avenue and Riding Lane- Haskayne.But before those houses ????? I know there was a shop in Kirkdale, and did I hear Rene mention Queens Drive.I will try and take a photo of the local ones.......who remembers the rest??

Our Recent visit to Dominica W.Indes with Kate Andy Tom & Wendy

These photos were taken at River Rush in Dominica W.I.The one with the crowd around the table was taken in a scruffy pub (but full of characters) in Roseau Dominica.The unknow chap in the Middle was our travelling companion

Jim, all drinking the Local Brew "KABULI"

Ben Wendy & Joseph ( Marthas Great Great Grandsons)

Ben on his birthday aged 4 with mum Wendy & Joe aged 21 months:Marthas got a lot to answer for !!!!!

Gegs, Jackie & Chris & Richard (Marthas Great Grandsons)

Taken christmas 2009 in Chris Home in Burscough.

Possibly U.Peters Funeral ?? & Vera & Peter with Gerry & Dolly

Marge and Jack's wedding - Nov. 10, 1947 - Who's who?

Here are some photos from Mom and Dad's (Marge and Jack) wedding. If you recognize some of the people in the photos please identify them or let me know. I recognize Dad's parents (Agnes and Wally) and his Aunt Lily, and Grandma Johnson (I think) but am not sure about the others. Are the bridesmaids Rene and Ida perhaps? Is the flower girl possibly Mavis? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

Colwyn Bay 1954 - The Whiteheads and O'Donnells

A day out at the beach. Somehow all our beach shots are next to a wall - must be the wind factor!

Rene O'Donnell aged 18 - here is a little story she told me yesterday

My Mum Rene (Grace Irene O'Donnell) was telling me a story yesterday about her Auntie Grace - who she was named after. Grace Johnson was Martha's sister in law - Edward's sister. The story which is a really sad one goes like this.

Grace (born 1884) was married and had 6 sons. She was 33 when her husband died really young. With no widow's pension she couldn't support them and she had to place her boys aged 12, 10, 9, 6 and 2 younger boys in the Blue Coat Orphanage in Liverpool. How sad it that! Grace never remarried and died in 1951 aged 67. I wonder what happened to all her boys. I have added more info taken from the census and birth and death records - take a look in comments.
What is also amazing is that 2 generations later Mark and Simon O'Donnell and Stephen Powell (my son) went to the very same 'Blue Coat' which by then had become a boarding school.

Tommy and Gracie O"Donnell (Simon and Jane' Children)

Maddie and Charlie. Matha's Great, Great Grandchildren. Mother is Jo, daughter of Wendy and Tom O'Donnell, and Partner Mick Southworth.