LAST year, at the age of 86, I decided to write a bit of a life story for my children and grandchildren, so they would have some idea what I had been up to during my life. It was recently that I realised I did not have much information regarding my father.

However, thanks to my son and his computer, I have discovered the following entry in the November 6 1880 copy of your newspaper.

Births: On Nov 4th inst Chadwick Edmond, to his wife, a son (At Ruston Parva).

I knew he was born in Ruston Parva and that when he died in 1936 he was 56 years old.

I also knew that, at quite an early age, he was sent to an orphanage in Bristol.

I also know that the orphanage taught him a trade . . . boot and shoe making and repairing.

I don't know much of what happened since then, but he did move to the coal mines in South Wales where, in 1914, he married a lady from Clun in Shropshire.

I am very proud of my Yorkshire roots and I do boast that I am half English and half Yorkshire.

We have spent many holidays in Whitby, High Hawsker and Sandsend and during that time we have visited Ruston Parva and Bridlington. but we met a dead-end in our search.

Incidentally, when we lived in Surbiton, Surrey, our house was named Ruston Parva.

I hope your readers may be able to help in our search for further information about my father.

They can contact me at the address I have given at the beginning of this letter. Many thanks in anticipation.