One of my long term interests is tracing my family history.  At one time I thought this was a project that could be completed within a short time, but I now know that it goes on for life!  For every answer found there are new quesions.  The big bonus of researching family history is that it opens up lines of communication, whereby you can make new friends, reach a better understanding of close relatives, and discover things about yourself. My research started when I worked in central London with the United States Coast Guard.  I was a short underground journey away from the Family Records Centre which was then located at St Catherine's House near Holborn.  The Family Records Centre has now relocated to 1 Myddleton Street, London EC1R 1UW.  Becoming familiar with how to obtain certificates for births, marriages and deaths was a breakthrough.  My initial impression of the Family Records Center was disappointment at only finding index numbers for ordering certificates.  However, it is a good feeling receiving certifcates in the post a few days later. My father has been a big help in the research.  He has sent me many certificates, photographs and anecdotes.  Also he has been in touch with a network of family contacts.  Via one of these contacts he discovered Monica Hartland.  This was a big bonus because Monica is very enthusiastic about family history and has collected lots of relevant information.  Through Monica I have met new family members and visited Stoke-on-Trent, where my father's side of the family originally came from. My mother was adopted during World War II.  We know that she was born as Patricia Clark on 22nd January, 1941 in Brighton Municipal Hospital and that her mother was Margaret Clark.  Unfortunately Margaret Clark is a very popular name so tracking down my biological grandmother is very unlikely.  Later on in 1941 my mother was adopted by Robert and Eliza Swann in Seaham.  I'd also like to work on Swann family research in the future.