User:Trbart

I don't think this facility was available when I began.

My interest in Francis Edwin BIRTLES stems from my relationship. Francis is my first cousin, once removed. In other words, the mother of Francis was the sister of my grandfather. He died in 1949.

My father (1911 - 2000) told me that his father spent some time with Francis. Despite their uncle/nephew relationship they were of similar age.

Via a genealogy interest I was contacted by John David Birtles. His father was Clive and often travelled with his brother Francis. John has a lot of Birtles family info. He sent me a transcript of 2 letters from Clive written during a trip. John said this was the first time such info had gone outside the immediate family.

When Peter Wherrett wrote 'Grit' in 2005 I contacted him by email to advise of some factual errors. Peter accepted my input and produced a second edition of Grit. Peter said it was in the hands of his publisher and it was their prerogative to publish. Sadly Peter died. The only publisher name I have is Pam Brewster.

In the past year I had my mother's ashes interred at Melbourne General Cemetery. My father has been there since 2000. The ashes share the grave of Josiah Bartlett, died 1895. It was only 3 months ago that I got a copy of the 1895 burial document. It is signed by David Edwin Birtles - father of Francis.