Our editor writes:
I can heartily recommend anyone interested in family history research to buy a copy of this book. I’m sure than Joan may have thought that the most obvious readers would be people interested in her paternal family of Dinsdale but she has produced an excellently written book which tells the long story of her search for her ancestors, a project which she began in partnership with late father back in the 1960s. It is a most enjoyable read reflecting all the frustrations, triumphs, joys and sorrows which such a painstaking search will always bring. Here is not only the history of a family over five hundred years though all manner of trials and tribulations but the history of forty years dogged research. As such there is loads of guidance here for the family historian as well as inspiration for the recording of our research.

Prospects for the research into the Dinsdale line were not at first promising since her Grandfather and Great Grandfather had both died young. This nearly always means a lack of passed on family information. It was discovered that three generations had been London Saddlers of great repute and Freemen of the City of London though the family is then traced back to its North Yorkshire routes back to the reign of Henry VIII. Joan has also traced collateral lines and as many descendents as possible. Some in-depth research into manor Court Rolls reveals unusual details of everyday folk in these early times. Joan’s favourite punch line is that she knows her ten times great grandfather had a dog? How does she know? Because in 1612 Francis Dinsdale was before the manor court being accused by a neighbour who alleged that his dog had killed her pig!

Dr. David Kirby, retired Professor of Mediaeval History has written: “It is an extremely impressive study of a family across several centuries, with the added dimension of adventures and misadventures--”. As KBH Editor, I want to recommend the book as a guide and an inspiration to family historians. It is an attractive 300 page paperback with good quality paper, excellent illustrations and a pull out pedigree. It is priced at £10.50 plus £2.30 p & p. Available from the author: Mrs. J. D. Dexter, Maplebeck House, Maplebeck, Newark, Notts., NG22 0BS.