Hi Philip,
I read your comment about perhaps the Cordner's move around a lot to avoid the consequences of criminal activities, at least that seem to be implied.
Let me reassure you. We have been to Cambridge and many other excellent universities, and have many professionals in our ranks, with out a whiff of dishonesty. Even my Aunt, the one you mentioned, who wrote under the name of Nora C James, was an incredible person, and while have many books of hers (but not yet the banned one) I have been told by those that did read it that it was FAR from obscene she merely made the mistake of being ahead of her time, and let it be known in the book that her heroine had had pre marital sex with her partner.
Did you know that she was very active politically? That she stood up for women's rights? That she flew planes in the war to deliver them to the aerodromes? Her fiance died in the first World War, and she never found someone else.
She wrote fiction and nonfiction, animal stories and cook books, romances and social commentaries. Quite a lady.
As for some of the others ( I wish you were going to Ireland for the October meeting) there were some pretty fine people among them, doing incredible things. The Cordner/James combination has produced mostly very bright, very creative and adventurous people. Of course, like fast cars, if they do come off the road it can be pretty messy! However they are few and far between.
If you do want to know more, and they are worth it, we could do some sharing, as I am pretty sure you are from Joan's line, and both my uncle Philip, and my father were very fond of their little sister. did you ever meet Joan Marie, from Malaysia? A Saint, with a great sense of humor, and great courage. Did you know the stories about what Wild Bill Hitchcock's show lead to? The spy? The merchant service Captain, the rancher, the writer, lawyer, the astrophysicist, the archaeologist, the head of design and technology serving several major Canadian banks... you see what I mean. We may be travelers, and some are hard up at times, but they are honest.
Give us a chance. We would love to hear from you!
Wendy