Category Archives: Famous Connections

View Annie and Harvey Barnes’ famous family connections from the past.

Supporting The Magpies – A Wise Choice After All

When I was growing up I didn’t have a great interest in football. My elder brother used to be, and still is, extremely enthusiastic about the sport and so I adopted a favourite team when I was about 9 years … Continue reading

Posted in Famous Connections | Tagged , , , | (Leave a comment)


When Stephen Dando Met Thomas Paine

Stephen Dando was my 5x great-uncle, the son of John Dando & Ann (nee Brothers), my 5 x great-grandparents. Born in Rodborough, Gloucestershire, in about 1769, he came from a Non-conformist family who were in the hat manufacturing business. In … Continue reading

Posted in Famous Connections | Tagged | (Leave a comment)


John Dando’s Letter To The Countess of Huntingdon

John Dando, the elder, my 6 x great-grandfather, was involved in the Calvinistic Methodist movement during the 18th century Evangelical Revival. He was not only acquainted with, but offered hospitality to the famous preacher, George Whitefield, when he was staying … Continue reading

Posted in Ancestors Corner, Famous Connections | Tagged | (Leave a comment)


Robert Stuart King’s England Call-up – Old England Players

Ireland 0 – 13 England. That was the score on 18th February 1882 when the England football team played Ireland for the first time and this victory remains England’s largest ever win. The 1881-1882 season was the 11th season of … Continue reading

Posted in Famous Connections | Tagged , | (Leave a comment)