Hi John and Mel,
The attached is grandma Alice taken when she was in her 40,s. She caught german measles in later life and she went blind in one eye. She had a bit of a tough time in her married life, grandad was a docker and the work was a bit hit and miss and plus he did like a pint or two or three. Grandad caught the influenza that was rife just after the first world war and as he was getting a bit better wanted to go for his pint, this was november time and freezing and he got another infection and that killed him. Not only that she lost a 13 year old son a few months after grandad and she also lost another baby boy in 1906, he did,nt even live to be a year old. My uncle Albert used to tell me stories on how he and his brothers (including dad) used to go stealing from the barges on the river, he said it was the only way to survive as there was no benefits at that time. Granny used to scrub steps for pennies and Bert used to bring home the "bacon". Bert told me that if a body was washed up south side of the Thames, who ever found it reported it to the police and they would get "2 bob" (10p),
but if they swam across the thames with it to the north side they would get "half a crown" (12 1/2p). Bert never told me if he did this or not, and I won,t know now as all granny,s children have now gone. I think her later years was much better, she stayed with my Auntie Alice, her daughter, until she too died, and according to my cousin Doris (auntie Alice's daughter)she always wore the typical victorian dress with the high neck and brooch. I only got this picture myself about a year ago from one of my other cousins which I was really chuffed about as I had never seen her before. Granny died just before the 2nd world war and I was born in 53.
I have a small tree of the Cossburn,s, which I did pinch from someone, and I can,t remember who now, and John William does state that he was born in lambeth. Have you found out about Ann Steadman,s side?? I do have on that tree parents and the 2 sets of grandparents if you hav,nt.
My email address is
kimbowuk@yahoo.co.uk it would be very nice indeed to hear anything on granny's side of things.
Looking forward to your reply.
Kim