Kings and Queens, famous men and women and aristocratic families of the past are well-documented, and rightly continue to inspire authors. The history of ordinary families has received scant attention until recently. Most labourers and tradesmen were considered of little importance even in their own lifetimes and seldom worthy of mention afterwards in history books or biographies. Even though many of them may have been illiterate, usually through no fault of their own, they have nevertheless left behind many clues which may be painstakingly assembled to give us glimpses of the lives they led. Behind the documents to be found in Church records, archive collections, newspapers and elsewhere there are many fascinating individual and family stories waiting to be pieced together and brought to life. Rex Whitfield from rural Bedfordshire was inspired to write his family history after meeting elderly relatives in his childhood and teenage years. It was not just what they said, but what they...