Does anyone remember my grandmother Florence Payne? My father was adopted, but his natural mother Florence Payne grew up in Milkwall. We have found out some things about her, but would dearly love to find out more. I am therefore hoping that this letter will revive some memories.

Florence Payne was born in Cardiff in 1894, the eldest daughter of James and Rachel Payne. The family moved to Marsh Lane, Clearwell, around 1900 and Florence had younger siblings James, Thomas Henry, John, Peter and Annie Mary. Her father James was a crane driver at a stone works and died in 1925; her mother Rachel died in 1924. Their address from 1911 onwards was Highfield, Tufthorn Road, Milkwall.

We know that Florence was working at a boarding house at Cheltenham College in 1911 and was back in Cardiff in 1915 when my father, Arthur James Payne, adopted as Lewis, was born.

In 1920 she emigrated to the USA with a Brazilian called Jose Cardozo, with whom she had two children Jose jnr (known as Joey) and Carlos. We do not yet know what happened to Florence after she separated from Jose Cardozo around 1925.

We know that Florence's siblings had families in the Forest of Dean area and we are in touch with a descendant of her sister Annie Mary and with the children of Carlos Cardoza in the USA.

But there may be others who have some recollections too. If anyone can help to fill in the gaps in our knowledge of Florence Payne please write to me, telephone, or send an e mail to a.hughes09 @btinternet.com

– Margaret Hughes (née Lewis), Didcot.