Through the local council website, Catherine appealed some years ago for contemporary photographs of Thorne Hall. There was no problem in supplying photographs of the exterior of the building, and this encouraged further research, mainly using the internet, and in May this year Catherine and her husband Bob, were able to make a visit to Thorne. This proved a bittersweet experience, and they were saddened and disappointed to see the building empty and boarded up.

However, time spent at the Doncaster and Lincoln archives was extremely rewarding and they were able to see many documents of direct family relevance, and to open up several new avenues of research. Catherine is particularly grateful to local historians Reg Brocklesby and Frank Dallas, who were able to add much local colour to the historical data, and share several old photographs and documents.

They were able to see Makin Durham's grave in the churchyard and visit St. Nicholas Church during the flower festival - where they were amazed by the variety and quality of the floral displays. Again there was a disappointment, as they hoped to see two stained glass windows donated to the church by Catherine's ancestors, but the windows were missing.

It seems that they were among the number of windows damaged over the years, and they had been removed and disposed of.

It is good to see how family history can have the positive effect of strengthening ties between people now living thousands of miles apart. Perhaps when the Roberts next see Thorne Hall it will again be occupied, and restored to something approaching its former glory. It is too important a building to be allowed to deteriorate until demolition is perceived as the only solution.

Keith Heywood, South End, Thorne.