A MAN investigating his family history is appealing for old photographs, documents or details about his ancestors’ lives at a country hall and estate near Catterick Garrison.

John Storey, who emigrated to Australia from London in 1974, is looking for information about his great-great-grandparents George and Elizabeth Storey, who lived in Aldbrough St John, near Richmond; and his great-grandparents Joseph and Rose Helen Storey, who lived and worked at Brough Hall, near Catterick Garrison, in the 1800s up to 1905.

Mr Storey said: “A few years ago I started looking at our family history and visited Brough Hall.

“Some of the residents were good enough to let me in to where they lived, in what are now private apartments.

“I also met a gentleman who is the current owner of Rosemary House on the estate where my great-grandparents lived and my grandfather was born.

“I’m hoping someone can help me find out what life was like then, and maybe photos will turn up that has one or both of my great-grandparents in.”

Mr Storey is interested in life at Brough Hall during the 1800s up to 1905; and personal information on Joseph Storey and Rose Helen Storey (nee Young); or George and Elizabeth Storey (nee Sedgewick or Sidgewick).

George Storey was born in Belmont, County Durham in 1774 and was a vet. Joseph Storey was born in Aldbrough St John in 1826 and was a house servant.

Anyone with information can contact Mr Storey on bancroft13@bigpond.com.