The Basics

My dad, David Brian Oliff was born on 6th July 1932 and died on 17th November 2012

I have now inherited several boxes of photographs of family members along with letters and postcards sent between his father Herbert. L Oliff and his uncles who lived in South Africa.

I have found these to be fascinating and so I have decided to write a blog and post these letters in case there are any other Oliff descendants out there with an interest in this branch of the family tree.

I am going to try to post in chronological order, but until I am sure I have found all the letters etc I cannot begin to order them.

I have a book written in 1986 by E.M Hood-Williams abut The Honorable A.T. Oliff, which has helped me to work out who was who on dad's family tree but I also have plenty of cuttings and photos of people who I do not know.

I also have a large black and white photograph of Albert Thomas Oliff and his family.
Since my grandfather isn't in this photo and going by which of his sibling are and their ages I would guess that the photo was taken in 1899.

My Grandfather, Herbert Oliff was a talented artist and I have several of his sketches and a scrapbook of his drawings, some of which were published, I intend to post some of these too, if I can fit them in my scanner!

I hope this blog will be of interest to people. It seems a shame to keep all these fascinating, historical items hidden away in boxes and trunks.

Oliff Family Tree

Oliff Family Tree

This family tree is from 1986 so is now rather out of date with the only recent additions being the ones I know of. Please feel free to email me with details of any of the other branches so I can update it.

Louise Florence Oliff

So after a few months of not being able to face all the boxes of memorabilia, I have started sorting again

I think this tinted photo is of my Great Grandmother
Louise Florence Oliff

I also found a newspaper clipping of Lady Millicent Taylour

There isn't much about her on the internet but I did find an article about her rather lively wedding on 28th April 1930 in The Glasgow Herald

It must be quite an old clipping since she looks to be in her 20's
She died in 1975 and as far as I know was no relation, so why the clipping was in with the other memorabilia I don't know

Wedding 10th Sptember 1960

Mum and Dad's Wedding invitation

Nana and Grandad Wedding

I think this is a photo of my Grandparents Wedding
Herbert Oliff and Alice Williamson on 26th December 1931

Amos Lewis Oliff

Haven't updated for ages but today I was having a sort out and found a letter in one of the many boxes of memorabilia.

The letter is written to my granddad Herbert Oliff by his brother Amos dated 17th November 1922

Its quite fascinating to read although it would seem that poor Amos was having a hard time. I remember my dad telling me years ago that Albert cut off one of his children because he didn't approve of his relationship. I don't know how true this is but maybe this is the reason why Amos seems so upset in the letter.

The paper it is written on is very thin so the last pages are harder to read as it was 2 sided.

Stewart & Ardern Ltd - Morris Cars

There is a lot of random things in amongst the memorabilia. I'm not sure why this car service invoice was kept but it's quite fascinating due to its age.

Ella Louise Oliff

Here is a letter from Ella to her brother, my Granddad, Herbert

The envelope is dated 1931 

it mentions the death of Bill (William Walter) which was in 1926

And also of her dad Albert in 1924

She also mentions Eirene her daughter and Monty who I presume is her son, Walter Montgomery

however she also mentions Pat who I can not find on the family tree, unless it was a nickname for her other son Albert

I don't know who Jack is either unless it was another name for one of her brothers.