Hello there!

Researching the tree of both sides of my family has always held great interest 
for me. I have been lucky enough to have been given some very useful 
background information from my late father and a comprehensive chart from my 
late uncle, Horace Duddy - even though I'm having some trouble reading the 
small print on that!

My late mother and I took it upon ourselves to start some 'proper' research in 
Sydney in the 1980s, straining our eyes reading microfiche at the Society of 
Australian Genealogists' chambers in The Rocks overlooking the harbour. 
Unfortunately time and money got the better of us and progress was very slow.

I had a break from work in 2006 which gave me the time to get back into the 
family tree in a big way and what you see here is the ongoing story. I update the 
tree regularly as new items of information come to light. Investigations are taking 
somewhat longer now, as I leave the GRO and Census records that started in 1837 and 
now have to go back to Parish records - but I shall persevere. It must be emphasised 
that much of the tree prior to 1650 is only conjecture, rumour or family lore, yet to 
be proven with documented evidence.

From time to time I have turned to professional researchers to trawl through 
information in further-flung areas. I must thank Val Teed, in Fredericton (Canada), 
and Sally Roberts, in Plymouth, for their efforts on my behalf. I am absolutely 
indebted to Janet Few, Dorothy Bradbury, Jane Tytherleigh, Shirley Barnett and Jeff 
Dawson for their kindness in responding to my questions and providing invaluable 
leads. I can thoroughly recommend the "Curious Fox" website through which I have 
established contact with cousins I had no idea existed! 

It's been lovely to see the interest my children show in our findings; each snippet 
of information is welcomed and together we feel we are getting to know our long-dead 
ancestors. Unfortunately, it's equally disappointing to experience the negativity of 
relatives who don't even want their names included in the tree: is that better or 
worse than others who won't part with any information, photographs or paperwork yet 
want to share in the results of my labours and expenditure?!!! 

I hope you find this piece of work interesting and enjoyable; it is but an outline of 
the full tree that I'm still creating. If you would like the more detailed tree and 
supporting photographs, documents, etc please let me know. I'd welcome your feedback 
in the Guest Book too. If you are a close or long-distant relative - please do get in 
touch. In these days of the marvels of the internet we don't need to feel half a 
world apart.

Finally, I ask that you keep this site private and not share the information or 
password without checking with me first. I realise that this is an odd request as I 
have invited a number of people to view it - however, I have committed so much blood, 
sweat, tears (and cash) to my research that I feel entitled to decide who will and 
will not be allowed to share in my discoveries. Childish? Yes, but my choice. Please 
respect it!

Debbie