[Karen]

Can't believe my luck - thank-you Google!

Short intro - I'm an ex-Brit, long-time Canadian living in Western Canada. I have been researching my family history, off and on, for a couple of years.

I'm a relative of Una's (met her a couple of times in the 70's) as she is my father's cousin. My Dad is one of Albert's sons and remembers 'Uncle Clary' (Una's father Clarence) very well. By the way, Jocelyn (Una's cousin) in the show is my auntie, Dad's only sis - love her to bits! My UK family taped the show and I was sent a copy on DVD as we don't have it in Canada yet.

I have a fair amount of background info (some fact, some rumour) but we have a dead-end with Annie. As you know, the show concentrated on Arthur Stubbs who is not related to me and I suspect it may be because of the lack of information after Annie. I have contacted both the BBC and the York archives to see if they have more info than was broadcast in the show; the latter said it was unlikely but they'd check.

A few things came up that I/we didn't know: Annie's mother's name, Eliza; where Annie bore Albert and then Clarence; Clarence's full name and birthdate. We had that as 1906, a different Clarence obviously, and were sure that Arthur was therefore not the father as he would have probably been too young. I still think that Clarence may be another man's son and, as one poster has suggested, a clue being the middle name "Watson" - a neighbour? This is where addresses/names from census may help.

Family rumour says that Annie Robinson was adopted by an 'aunt' (Mary Hannah Harper/Horsfall). Another rumour says that Annie, who was a sweet packer around age 16-18, posed for an artist (son of an an aristocratic, prominent family) and fell pregnant with Albert, my great-grandfather, during that time. Her portrait, titled "Annie" hung in the York gallery. I contacted the gallery last year but they were under renovation and unable to help online. I have not been able to confirm any of the but would LOVE to be able to find a promising lead. Albert did not find out that Arthur was not his father until well into his thirties.

Since Annie gave birth in the Workhouse and reverted to her birth name of Robinson, I expect Mary Horsfall may have disowned her.

Where she went and how she coped over the next 5 years isn't known (again, census info needed). I think she was working as a domestic and somehow made her way to Rose Street for the birth of Clary. Anyway, not too relevant for me as Albert's my man!

It is hard to believe that Clary didn't bring his kids (Una) to see his Mum. I've asked my Dad about this and he said that Clary's wife forbade him (I expect that Annie's colourful past did not go down well with his wife) and he was a bit of a softie. He visited his cousins (and Mum) regularly, though.

I am a novice at all this but love the hunt and discovery! With limited funds, I have not yet subscribed to any genealogy websites as I am unsure which ones will be most suitable. I am ready to do so and would like to ask for subscriptions for Christmas. Recommendations gladly accepted! As for you geni-experts, I am all ears and appreciate any information you can pass my way.

Kind Regards,
Karen Smith
BC, Canada