JEFF Beedham, of Lancaster Avenue, Grimsby, is trying to trace details or photographs of his great-grandfather, Thomas Beedham.

Jeff told us: "Thomas Beedham was born in the MS & LR Pointshouse in Garden Street in 1860. He was the son of George – pointsman for the MS & LR – and Frances Beedham from Whitton.

"At the age of 21, he was lodging at Mrs Balch's house at 39 Newmarket Street and was working as a pointsman for the MS & LR.

"On October 26, 1884, at the age of 25, he married Jane Kitchen, 24. In 1881, Jane was one of two general servants living at 148 Victoria Street at the Hope And Anchor public house, which was managed by Ann Martin, who had three children.

Jane Beedham (nee Kitchen), above, who was born in 1860.

Herbert Beedham, who followed his father, Thomas, to work as a coal drop labourer.

"Thomas and Jane moved to the West Marsh with Thomas now working as a coal drop labourer for the MS & LR, initially living at 17 Rendel Street, where Herbert Beedham was born in 1887. By 1901 they were living at 13 Watkin Street and Jane's younger brother, William, lodged with them.

"I do not know when Thomas Beedham died, but I do know that Jane lived until 1949.

"Herbert joined the Lincolnshire Regiment at the outbreak of the First World War, where he made Sergeant Major. While on leave he married a Cleethorpes girl, Emily Robson, on June 30, 1916.

"After demob he worked as a coal drop labourer like his father. Eventually he was made foreman and he and Emily rented a house in Armstrong Street.

"Herbert contracted emphysema from coal dust and died in 1936, leaving her with three children, including my late father, John.

"Emily received just £20 compensation from the LNER. She would probably have received nothing if Herbert hadn't been a foreman.

"Hopefully, Bygones readers or someone from the Kitchen family has a photograph or more details of Thomas Beedham."

If you can help, write to Bygones, Grimsby Telegraph, 80 Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN31 3EH or e-mail bygones@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk