STORIES OF OUR FAMILIES
To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root.
Sheppard Family from Trinidad visit relatives in Wem, Shropshire
My great-grandfather, Alfred Sheppard was born in Chichester, Sussex, but went to Trinidad with his regiment as a young man, in the British military. He married Virginia de Freitas, a young lady of Portuguese parentage, and made Trinidad his permanent home.
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In this picture, he and Virginia, together with Virginia's father and daughter, are in Wem, Shropshire visiting his brother Charles and family.
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The picture has been handed down by Charles' daughter Nell to her Trinidadian cousin John Sheppard who immigrated to England.
This is a colourized version of a unique, undated photo.
We know it is no later than 1916, the year in which Sebastian (Sebastião) de Freitas (centre) died.
The seniors are all seated in front, while the younger generation stands behind.
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Here's a "Who's Who" of the photo:
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1. Charles A. Sheppard, son of #11 and #8, brother of #2, #4, #6, brother-in-law of #3, cousin of #5
2. Cyril Sheppard, husband of #3, son of #11 and #8, brother of #1, #4, #6, cousin of #5.
Cyril and his wife Gertrude were married in 1921, so I assume they were engaged here.
3. Gertrude Annie Sheppard née Williams, wife of #2, sister-in-law of #1, #4, #6, daughter-in-law of #8 and #11
4. Ivy Enid Sheppard, daughter of #8 and #11, sister of #1, #2, #6.
5. Amalia Amy Sheppard (Trinidad born), daughter of #7 and #10. Cousin of #1, #2, #4, #6.
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6. Nellie Fisher Sheppard, daughter of #11 and #8, sister of #1, #2, #4. Sister-in-law of #3, cousin of #5
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7. Sgt. Alfred Sheppard (my great-grandfather), husband of #10, father of #5, son-in-law of #9 - all visiting from Trinidad. Brother of #11, Uncle of #1, #2, #4, #6.
8. Ellen Mary Sheppard née Fisher, wife of #11, mother of #1, #2, #4, #6, mother-in-law of #3, sister-in-law of #7
9. Sebastian (Sebastião) de Freitas (my great-great grandfather) father of #10, grandfather of #5, father-in-law of #7.
10. Virginia Sheppard née de Freitas (Trinidad born - my great-grandmother), wife of #7, daughter of #9, mother of #5
11. Sgt. Charles Sheppard, brother of #7, father of #1, #2, #4, #6, father-in-law of #3, uncle of #5
