Esther Cooper was born August 26, 1856, in Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, England. Esther was the first child of Joseph Cooper and Esther Elliss, who had been married but a few months at the time of her birth. In a sad turn of events, Esther’s mother died eight days after Esther was born, from puerperal fever, sometimes called … Continue reading Esther Cooper

Richard Yemm was born on June 13, 1853, in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, England.  He was the fifth of seven children born to Stephen Yemm and Ann Harper. His family lived in the village of Upper Lydbook, in an area called Worrall Hill, where Stephen and Ann had moved shortly after the birth … Continue reading Richard Yemm

My mom’s maternal grandmother, Esther Yemm, was born January 7, 1879 in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. Her parents, Richard Yemm and Esther Cooper, had six children (three boys and three girls). Esther was the oldest and the only one without a middle name. Esther was always known as Tot to her grandchildren, but … Continue reading Esther Yemm