William Penness was my great great uncle – his brother James being my grandfather's father. James (1861-1940) and his wife, Eliza Palmer (1864-1948), had 9 children, 7 boys and 2 girls!

William (1855-1920) was married and had one daughter, Maud, who died, aged 30.

My grandfather, James (1892-1972) was their 5th child and 4th son... his son Aubrey (1916-1998) was my father.

Prior to William and James, their father was George (1832-1891) and before him was another William (1803-1863), who was the son of John Penness (1781- unknown) and Judith Wooding who were married in Lavendon Parish Church on 29^th August 1802.

The family have been unable to trace anything earlier than John's d.o.b., perhaps because he couldn't write his name and signed his marriage certificate with a X, and with his name recorded as John Paynis and hers as Julia Wooden!!

I was born in Oakley Road, on 10/02/1937, going to Alfred Street school (1942-1948) and then Wellingborough Grammar school (1948-1953). I lived in the town until 1970 when my job with Calor Gas took me to Slough and a home in Chalfont St. Giles. I now live in Cheshire, 5 miles north of Chester, with my 2nd wife, Joan, with my 3 grown up children and 7 grandchildren all live in Bourne End, Bucks.