My name is Jim Patterson and today I live on the far west coast of Canada on Vancouver Island where I emigrated after leaving the military in the late 1970s.

My grandparents were Forest of Dean folk through and through and for many generations, but due to hard times during the dirty 1930s were forced to leave the Forest searching for work. However some of my grandparent's siblings and extended family did stay or eventually return home to what they knew and loved, but my side mostly spread out all over the globe it seems.

About 11 years ago I became physically disabled and due to my son then doing a school assignment in which I was asked to produce a family tree this process got me digging up many of my ancestors from all over the world.

At this time I also mailed out some 1,300 letters to all known kin in the Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire areas mostly to keep my mind active as I struggled to heal.  This process worked for the most part but I became obsessed in uncovering where my most direct lines ended up: ie Townsend, Dobbs, Lear, Carter and my great aunt Mary Price's descendants in the Lydney area.

From family stories Mary Price of Lydney (née Mary Ann Towns­end) was a well known medium and card reader in her day, albeit husband Alf Price strongly disapproved of folk visiting his back kitchen getting readings it was said.

Alfred William Price born in 1896 Gloucestershire, and wife Mary, born in 1898 in Bargoed, Monmouthshire, had the following children: George Price, who became a publican/landlord and had the Bridge Inn in Cinderford, the 21 Club in Cheltenham and the Red Hart in Awre; brother Grenville Price, was into auto mechanics we heard; Brian Price, who was the Lydney Cinema projectionist in his day, and sister Marjorie Cynthia Price, we believe moved to Poole in Dorset after marriage?

If any family or Foresters can help in connecting me with my Price family all guidance would be greatly appreciated. 

In searching your Review online today I was saddened to read a relative, ex of Yorkley, Desmond Dobbs passed away very recently. To the family, please accept my condolences.

– Jim Patterson, 7045 Con-Ada Road, Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Can­ada V8M-1E7. (Email at jumper.brewin@gmail. com).