I don't expect anyone will know the answer, but going to try anyway...

[Cnthree3]

Hello

Ive been chatting to my elderly father about his Yorkshire born and bred parents and why my father was born where he was (Hitchin, Hertfordshire). Apparently his parents were 'outcast' when, unmarried, they found my father was suddenly on the way. His mother and father, William Andrew Brignall 1911 - 1983 moved to a 'big estate in Herefordshire' where he worked as a farm labourer, and my father was told he was the first boy to be born on the estate (1939) for over 100 years and as a result when he was christened Princess Elizabeth (our queen) and Princess Margaret were present in the church.

He knows nothing more than this about the story and the only facts i have is that in 1939 his parents were living at The Holt Cottages, Hitchin.

Doe anyone have any idea what the 'big'estate may be, the church that may be relevant, and if there is any way I can check if there is any truth to this family story.

I appreciate there is not a lot to go on...

[Rhododendron]

Apologies if I have not understood your post.  But you mention him being born in Hertfordshire and then refer to his parents moving to a big estate in Herefordshire where you also say he was born.

Can you please clarify which place it is you are hoping to find the "big estate"?

[rosie99]

Deleted - I missed the Holt Cottages address 

[Romilly]

There's a problem here Rhododendron...

If your Father was Born in 1911, and presumably Christened then, - Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret weren't born until 1926 and 1930!

Romilly.

[tazzie]

Could he have worked at St Paul's Walden Bury Hitchens. It was the childhood home of the Queen Mother.



Tazzie

[janan]

As I read Romilly it was the grandfather who was born 1911, father in 1939

Holt Cottages appear to have been in Kimpton. Kimpton Manor was by that time part of the Hoo Estate so another possible?

http://www.kimptonvillage.tsohost.co.uk/history.htm

Jan

[Ayashi]

Romilly- the father of the baby was born 1911, the baby was born 1939, from what I can tell.

A Google Search of the Holt Cottages brings up Kimpton, which is next to Hitchin. There is a Kimpton Village website http://www.kimptonvillage.tsohost.co.uk/Groups/history.htm that you could try sending an enquiry to. There is also a Hitchin Historical Society who also may be of use.

[keyboard86]

Do you have his birth certificate, does it give an address in Hitchin

Hi were his parents married in 1938 and his mother an Annie E Newton, as I can see a birth in Hitchin mmn Newton
Keyboard86

[Romilly]

Apologies, - I was multi tasking, and read the DOB's too quickly.

Romilly :-)