All because of a cricket ball! 
Irene Oakes began life in Leyland Lancashire at the close of the first world war.
General chat with Irene means that Sport in one form or another is never far away - as
was the case when a cousin was mentioned re creating a Grammar school sporting record
for throwing a cricket ball - he was referred to as "A cousin of my mother's"
alongside a wistful observation that little was known about family origins with a wish
to learn more - and so this journey began......................

Luck played its part with in-laws referred to in census returns, thereby confirming
maiden names, and a few marriage witness names also helped to ensure we were tracking
the right branch of the family. Our site has reverted to a fresh start after losing the
first compilation to cyberspace whilst creating a Gedcom file!  
You are welcome to share our journey and if names mentioned here are significant,
please let us know.