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The Time Capsule - Family Life

The Youngest Lady Steeplejack in England 1917

About five years ago a cousin showed me a photograph of Bliss Tweed mill in Chipping Norton. It was taken in 1917 and the caption read, "The youngest lady steeplejack in England, Miss Olive Wainwright on top of Bliss Tweed mill chimney August 1917".

Olive who was then aged eight can be seen at the top with her father who was the mill steeplejack. I began a search to establish if she was a family member. My efforts where rewarded when I finally obtained a copy of her birth certificate that confirmed her to be my father's cousin. As Olive could still be living I intensified my search for any possible relatives but have had no luck so far. Imagine such an event happening today and no hard hat.

Youngest steeplejack in England with her father
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Bliss Tweed Mill chimney 
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The picture on the left was published with my letter in The Chipping Norton News.

Submitted by Spindrift
Location: Chipping Norton


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