Whatho all,

I'm Mark Andrew Pardoe, a freelance historical researcher and genealogist based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

I was born in Nottingham on 22nd May 1953 and am a lifelong supporter of Notts County.

Divorced with two daughters (The Sisters of Evil although Julia claims she's very nice and has done nothing evil recently).

In a longterm loving relationship with the beautiful and remarkably intelligent Lady Mary (she might read this!).

Interests: beer, birds (feathered), birds (ladies), fairs, steam especially traction engines, art (most certainly the Pre-Raphaelites), music (nearly all kinds except 1950s rock and roll and country), cinema, Jack the Ripper, pub names, cricket and football, post boxes and other things of which I cannot remember at the moment.

I collect: picture post cards of Nottingham, items concerning Boots the Chemist, miniture post boxes and Postman Pat object d'art.

Most of my working career was with the British Railways Board of which I became the Chief Archivist but I took early retirement at the age of 49.