My Grandparents last names are Allen, Blackman, Chapman and Chester and as I was  an only child I had a fair deal of information about them. Herbert William Allen (my  father's family)was a saddle maker by trade and worked for Watneys Brewery, Mortlake  in London for the best part of his life.His family were from Worcestershire and I am  certain of the line back to 1700. He lost a leg in the first World War. The family  names connected to the Allen family are Greenhill, Avery, Rowley, Salisbury and  Gittus with other's in smaller proportions.

Herbert's wife was Vera Lillian Chester born near Rugby with the family coming from  Northamptonshire/Warwickshire/Oxfordshire borders and the surrounds. She worked as a  loose cover maker in Loughborough when I knew her. The family names connected to the  Chester's are Hughes,Haddon, Wright, Ball. The Chester family line goes back to the  late 1700's. I think my Chester's could be linked to the Naseby and Leicestershire  Chesters but have no real evidence.I was found by my cousin on the Chester side and  he too gave me a large amount of information.

Albert William Blackman worked for Southern Railways all his life with his roots in  Sussex. His fathers Blackman line uses the name Roberts for a couple of generations.  My grandfather's maternal line links with old Sussex names such as Cheesman. Edith  Emma Blackman (nee Jones) is desecended from Welsh born William H (or N) Jones. These  Jones' link to the Wells and Lunn family.

Edith Emma Chapman was Albert's wife and was born in London but I believe her male  line originally came from Hull in Yorkshire. The Chapman family has proved hard to  trace back further than the 1800's but the female lines have proved much more  productive. In particular, Edith Emma's mother maiden name was List. To my surprise,  I found a website devoted to The List Family and contacted them. The List family have  been invaluable so I am now trying in a small way to pass on any relevant information  to others searching for their families.

My mother did some initial research into the Blackman's and this was my starting  point for my family history. I very soon found that large numbers of people in  Sussex, England were reaserching the Blackman's. I would like to thank all those who  have given invaluable help and support.

I realise that the Chapman and Allen families may not be 100% accurate and any  comments or help would be appreciated. I am happy to exchange any information  I can via email.

Happy Hunting Fran