In a land of one billion i meet...

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the celt

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...my country is Kiltartan Cross, My countrymen Ki
In a land of one billion i meet...

So we head of to meet Mr Wood, now I should
say that when I left Ireland I was expecting to maybe
find a few grave stones and maybe a house if I was lucky.

We arrive at Mr Wood's house Reggie goes up and rings the
bell next thing we are inside this 84 year old gentlemans home, and I begin
to tell my story...

"Mr Wood my name is Joseph Walsh, I am trying to trace
my granmothers roots in India, I have a few old foto's and
I know that her mothers name was Kathleen Lousia Fitzgerald Wintle
and her father died in Trichy, my gran also had a sister name Joyce..."

Mr Wood suddenly says "what was your grandmothers name"
I replied "Matilda Rhodes Wintle"
"Rhoda" he says, "yes Rhoda" I cried out, my gran always went by
that name, a smile broke across his face "let me see your photo's
and dont tell me who they are I will tell you."

My mouth hit the floor, he then went through all the foto's telling
me who all the people where and when taken.

celt-1.jpg

This is Joyce my Grans sister on the left

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This is Charles Wintle (grans Brother) on left and Philip Wood on right Mayberne's brother

untitled.jpg

This is Margaret Wood Mayberne's sister

I was in complete shock and then he told me the story.....

he started it like this..
My name is Mayberne Wood, I am 84 years old and I am the last son
of the tea planter, Your great granmothers husband died in the 1920's
and your great granmother was left with four children to bring up, my
father Charles Wood and your great grandfather where friends in Trichy,
after he died my father put your great grandmother up in a house
on the tea plantation with the children and her brother, now all the Wood
children and Wintle children grew up together on the plantation like
brother and sister's....

He then told me what happened to Joyce, Charles, Stanley and I told
him about my gran "Rhoda" after she left India and told him she had
a stroke and was unable to talk but could still hear and asked him if
he would like to record a video message to Rhoda...
Lads n ladies what happened next really hit me,
Mr Mayberne Wood, sat in front of my video camera and went back 70
years and said one of the most beautiful messages I have every heard
to my granmother "Rhoda" his old friend, he talked of the old times and
the people they knew and pets they had.....
I really was speachless, that night i returned to my hotel and shed a
few tears, because I had done it, meeting Mayberne and his message
to my granmother is something I will never ever forget and I cant
wait to play it to her.

Lads n ladies things have been happening so fast here, I have learned so much
and have met so many people that are related to me it is mind blowing at times.

PICT0287.jpg

Me and Mr Mayberne Wood a true gentleman
 
I'm filling-up here!

Great story, I can't wait to hear how your gran reacts!
 
Don't know what to say - that is so moving.
We have a collection of very old photos of family members from my wife's side and I look at those and wonder about the stories they tell - you have done that and more.
Bet you can't wait to play the recording back to Rhoda - that will be an incredible moment for both of you.
 
A wonderful story Joe. Playing that video for Rhoda will be a highlight for you.

Well done. :clap:clap:clap
 
wow.... i'm tearful! :)

Incredible Joe.
Lovely story.
theres no words fit to relay the feelings.

Really pleased for you :thumb2

:clap :clap :clap
 
Joe,
That is the story and opportunity of a lifetime, and fair play to you, you went there and you earned every second of it!
Respect!
Bin
 
FANTASTIC result Joe, well done mate :thumb2

Schultz
 
Brilliant.
I've been researching my family history for 30 something years and that's the stuff dreams are made of.
Absolutely brilliant.
 
What a great story and isn't it amazing you were able to find out so much about your kin :eek:
 
Flip me Joe you don't do things by halves do you? Good on you!:thumb2
 
Thanks lads for the replies,
my head has not stopped spinning since
reaching Coonoor, the Wood family have
taking in me into their homes and hearts
and now call me their cousin from Ireland.

I just dont have the words....
will give another wee update in a few days
with more foto's

thanks again
joe the indian celt :)
 
fantastic

Joe, the story so far is amazing. I hope that you got a good price for the television rights. The book should be make the best seller list, as well.
Your Gran must be blown away with the news and the whole family extremely proud of you.
Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, but what are you going to do next to top this?
 
Last edited:
Joe, the story so far is amazing. I hope that you got a good price for the television rights. The book should be make the best seller list, as well.
Your Gran must be blown away with the news and the whole family extremely proud of you.
Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, but what are you going to do next to top this?

nud1e from one Belfast man to another,
I dont give a fiddler's about the TV rights my friend,
do you see the clip of flim of Mayberne talk i will treasure
it for the rest of my life............

As for what's next hopefully I can trace a link on me father's side
to China would be nice......well I know he likes tea from a china cup :D

As for me family they still think im a gabshite,
which is the way i like it
 
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