Keith Wilson (2009)
Mathew Wilson 1726-1802
George Wilson 1758-1830
Mathew Wilson 1790-1873
George Wilson 1818-1903
William Wilson 1855-1941

SECTION 3
Title 1
Title 2
Title 3
Title 4
Title 5

Right at the beginning of my research, when I had found the entry for William Wilson in the 1881 census, by strange coincidence, Dad was contacted by Michael Heelis, who, like me, is a great- grandchild of William’s. Michael’s mother and my father are cousins, our grandfathers, Harold and Arthur Wilson, brothers. Michael had done an enormous amount of research, documenting the present members of the family, all over the world, including Australia, Canada, South Africa,  France, Martinique, Malta….In this he was working with David Cox and Eunice Paulett in Australia. He was hoping to get further back with his research by seeking information about William, and we were both equally amazed at the timing of his letter. From then on we spent several years collaborating and sharing information, exchanging many letters, and gradually building up the huge family tree that we have today. More recently, I came into contact with Keith Wilson, another ‘long lost second cousin’, also a great-grandchild of William’s. Keith has done a lot more research, especially into the Whincup branch of the family, and has unravelled many problems, e.g. his discovery of the second marriage of George Wilson to Jane Yellow, which solved quite a mystery. As well as discovering ancestors, it has been a bonus finding present day members of our huge family.

I cannot finish this account without thanking my father, Colin Wilson, who has provided much of the original knowledge regarding our immediate ancestors. His many photographs and written records gave me a flying start.

Michael Heelis
 

Dave Cox