Bernard Collins was born in 1882 to single mother, Charity Brennan.
Charity was the 9th child of Silas and Grace Brennan.
Bernard was adopted by Michael and Anne Collins.
The family emigrated to Manchester, England, shortly after.
Bernard never felt he fit in with his family.
They were short and stocky - he was very tall and lean.
They were musical - he was tone deaf.
As soon as he was able, he left home to seek work.
He found a job at Ampleforth Abbey as an orchardist.
This was to became hi passion and life's work.
He looked after more than 40 varieties of apples in the Abbey Orchard.
The Abbey crafted Ampleforth Abbey Beer
from a recipe created in 1802 by the Benedictine monks.
Bernard met and married Mary Latham.
They had 8 children:
George b. 1905
Edward b. 1906
Anne b. 1907
Elizabeth b. 1909
Henry b. 1910
Dorothy b. 1912
Margaret b. 1913
Albert b. 1914.
Charity was the 9th child of Silas and Grace Brennan.
Bernard was adopted by Michael and Anne Collins.
The family emigrated to Manchester, England, shortly after.
Bernard never felt he fit in with his family.
They were short and stocky - he was very tall and lean.
They were musical - he was tone deaf.
As soon as he was able, he left home to seek work.
He found a job at Ampleforth Abbey as an orchardist.
This was to became hi passion and life's work.
He looked after more than 40 varieties of apples in the Abbey Orchard.
The Abbey crafted Ampleforth Abbey Beer
from a recipe created in 1802 by the Benedictine monks.
Bernard met and married Mary Latham.
They had 8 children:
George b. 1905
Edward b. 1906
Anne b. 1907
Elizabeth b. 1909
Henry b. 1910
Dorothy b. 1912
Margaret b. 1913
Albert b. 1914.
For reflection ...
Bernard was adopted although he was never told this.
Should children who are adopted be told this?
How important is our birth family in creating our identity?
Bernard was adopted although he was never told this.
Should children who are adopted be told this?
How important is our birth family in creating our identity?