219 Cemetery Road
Sheffield, Yorks.,
England
29 Nov. 1915

My dear Aunt,
     Your letter dated Nov. 14th just received.  I am exceedingly pleased to hear from you again. oh! yes I received your first letter safely and was delighted.  I cannot tell you how glad I was to receive it, it was like a voice from the grave.  After losing sight of you for so many years,  to hear from you stirred up so many old memories.  I apologise for not earlier answering your first letter, and trust that when you receive this you may be in the enjoyment of good health, and of every other good thing, that goes to make life worth living.  You say you are no longer young.  Neither am I, as I have one Grandchild some three months old.  You say that God has been good to me and it is very true, But also Dear Aunt has He not been very good to you thro all the long years.  I don't know if you remember the last time we met, it seems ages ago. it was at Cardiff Docks.  I was only a Boy then.  but I remember as if it was only last week.  I often think of the dear old Home in Wales.  I visited the old places some years ago But I found myself a Stranger in a Strange land, every thing was changed.  No one knew me.  I do not care to go anymore since the loved ones have gone.  I find no attraction in visiting their graves.  It would give me the greatest pleasure to be able to see you once more, but if that should not be, I am thankful for the priviledge of hearing from you.  I am very pleased to hear that you have near you those of your own Kin.  I remember Aunt Celia + her children as a child.  I very cordially greet Miss Anna Woodcock who is my cousin once removed.  Now Dear Aunt I think I must bring my note to a close.  I may say that we are in the grip of Winter.  it is very cold just now.  This terrible war over shadows everything.  God grant it may soon end.  I will send you some photos of the family shortly should be glad to receive yours and also Miss Anna.  I have an old one of you, that has been treasured thru' all the years.  My wife and family are all well, and though they do not know you, they send their love and best wishes to you from the old Country.  with love
your aff Nephew     J.W. Woodcock

1937
Rev. J. W. Woodcock
78 yrs.

What do we learn from this letter?  Lots...
J.W. was born in Wales. Several relatives are buried in Wales.  He mentions "Miss Anna Woodcock", his cousin once removed.  A cousin once removed is the son or daughter of one of your parent's siblings.  In this case, his father's brother's daughter. Miss Anna is William James Woodcock's daughter.  Therefore, William's father, James, was the brother of J.W. 's father.  We have a photo of "Uncle Tom" taken in Cardiff in the 1880's or so.  I'm guessing that Tom was J.W.'s father.  From J.W.'s address in Sheffield I was able to determine that his full name was Joseph William Woodcock.  We also learn that the dear Aunt and Aunt Celia were James' and Tom's sisters.  Celia seems to have married, but it looks like the dear Aunt did not.  They both have moved far from the 'Old Country".  None are in Wales.  The dear Aunt is living near relatives.  We know that J.W. had children and at least one grandchild (in Sept 1915).

Rev. and Mrs. J.W. Woodcock
July 12, 1949
Possibly the son of Rev. Joseph Woodcock

Uncle Tom Woodcock of Wales
Possibly the father of Reverend Joseph W. Woodcock
James Woodcock's brother

William James Davies is possibly the grandson of "Uncle Tom Woodcock".