SUPPLYING a surname as uncommon as Gaunt, and knowing of the incredible strike rate of customers of this old column when it comes to tracing family roots, a Scottish lass now hopes she can be helped in the quest to unearth her St Helens roots.

Lyn McNorton, from Fife, would be grateful for any details about her Gaunt grandparents and any other members of the family. She offers a few helpful clues in revealing that her granddad was a glass-blower who played rugby for the Saints during their early years and lived at 52 Leslie Road.

Lyn says she is also trying to trace her grandmother's side of the family. But there is one big drawback. She only knows that her Christian name was Minnie and that she was the youngest of 11 children.

However, there is one little ray of hope that might jog a memory among our more mature readers. "My gran had a sister Polly whose husband, Arthur, had a barbers shop." Minnie and Polly were very close and used to attend Methodist church services.

IF the penny drops for any of our readers, then please forward a line or two to Whalley's World; or e-mail Lyn on

lynmcnorton@hotmail.com