begins, 1985
This story has been a long time in preparation. When I retired from work in 1985 I started to become very interested in the history of my family. Although my father, George Henry Bird, was then dead, and my mother died the following year in 1986, I was fortunate to have two elderly relatives still alive. They were George's brother, Reginald Bird, and his wife, Helen, known to us all as Auntie Nell.
Although Uncle Reg was well into his eighties and was in failing health, I visited him often, both at his home and also when he was in hospital on several occasions. He and his wife Nell were both delighted that I was interested in the history of the Bird family and they were a mine of information, particularly concerning George's early years. Uncle Reg was also very knowledgeable about his mother's family, the Worralls. I was able to make a very good start on documenting the Bird family when Uncle Reg gave me the Bird Family Bible.
of the task
As I started accumulating more and more information, I had the idea that I should commit to paper what I knew about certain members of my family who were no longer alive. I thought that I was then in a good position to do so before my own knowledge and memories were lost.
When I first embarked on these projects I had little idea of the amount of material to which I and other living members of my family had access or could remember.
This is my attempt to chronicle the life and times of George Henry Bird, whom I greatly respected and admired and to whom I owe much. During the course of compiling this story I have constantly wished that I could ask him to help me clarify certain events and to correct any of my errors.
I must thank Norman, Brian and Lyn for their assistance in compiling this story.
Hunts Cross
Liverpool L25 0NU
March 2006