Father's Heart Blog

My Grandad who graduated to Heaven in the summer of 2008. Was a farmer by vocation and upbringing, a foreman building roads by profession and necessity and by choice and passion in his latter years a local amateur historian. He created a family tree and took the dates back to 1700’s.

I was so struck by his passion for it and his desire to know more about where and who he came from (although he knew still he was a new man after Jesus)

As a very young man in my teens and early 20’s he knew I also shared an interest, it would of been awesome to have more years with him – I would loved to of introduced him to the internet and gone on some walks around grave yards looking for names with him! Also to simply tell him how proud of him I was and how much I admired him.

Though I know that somehow in Heaven he is well aware of that and of the drive and interest he has left in my heart.

So on Tuesday my Dad, Mum, wife and kids went to find the village of Smallridge a village in South East Devon where my Grandad ‘Ivan’ felt was the most likely origin of our name and ancestory.

No doubt then many hundreds of years ago the Smallridge’s moved up with horse and cart to North Devon perhaps in search of more farm land. The profession of the family dating back as far as my Grandad traces it.

We had a great visit. It’s a beautiful place. A village you’d be very happy to have a home in. Nestled in an area of outstanding natural beauty and not many miles to the south coast. Tempting to move back! Though our attempts at a takeover didn’t materialise to much.