Bill Stenlake

The Roots Bill Stenlake

THE ROOTS I find that my life has come to a crossroads. I need something to change the recent pattern of my life. While clearing out my Mother's things, I come across a letter sent to my late Father, 25 years ago. The letter has come half way round the world from a solicitor in Cornwall. I have no idea what it was about, nor do I know if my Father ever responded to it. I realize how little I know of my family history and start the process of unearthing my ancestors. It should be relatively easy to do online, once I have a starting point. But I decide that as I need a change of scenery. I will travel half way round the world and visit Cornwall; the home of my ancestors. I contact the solicitor who had sent the letter to my Father all those years ago, more as a starting point to try to trace my family. His reply asks that I make an appointment to go and see him when I reach Cornwall, which is what I do once I have made my journey. It would appear that there are some people, who are not so welcoming on learning of my visit. First they take pot shots at me with an air rifle and then they attack me when I visit the old family house in Polfowys. All they seem to want from me is information about an old well. They are convinced there is something to be found in it and they seem to think that I know something at the very least about it. They watch me from afar, as I try to bring the house and garden back into a cared for state. I haven't really started my ancestry search as yet. They won't keep their distance for long.