WHEN Edith Ripley started looking into the past to create a family tree in her spare time she had no idea where her research would lead.

In less than two years, the 66-year-old, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, has traced her ancestors back to the 18th Century and discovered that her paternal roots lie in Ireland.

But more importantly, her efforts have brought present day members of her family closer together.

On Saturday, more than 70 relatives travelled from across the country to Bishop Auckland Masonic Hall for a gathering of the clan at which many met for the first time.

At the party, Mrs Ripley said: "Looking back on our family's history has been fascinating.

"I always wanted to trace our roots and find out what sort of people our ancestors were. There have been some lovely stories and it is great to share them with everyone.

"It means an awful lot that people have come a long way to be here."

Inspired by her cousin's efforts, Pauline Davison, 56, organised the party.

Mrs Davison, a former British Red Cross cadet officer, said: "Because of Edith's research, we were contacting people we hadn't even spoken to for years.

"It seemed a shame to write it all down then forget we have so many relatives out there."

For the event, Mrs Ripley, a former King James School clerk, and cousin Peter Scott, of Birmingham, who also researched the family tree, made a display of their findings.

Looking over dog-eared photographs and faded newspaper clippings, they learned more about John William (Jackie) and Edith Emily Sutton from whom they all descended.

Private Sutton served with the Durham Light Infantry during the First World War then worked as a miner for four decades. As an amateur archaeologist, he helped uncover part of the Roman Fort at Binchester and became well known in the area.

From the family home, in Durham Chare, Bishop Auckland, the couple raised four sons and two daughters and had 15 grandchildren. It was Jackie and Edith Sutton's 14 surviving grandchildren that brought their families together for the first time on Saturday.

Mrs Davison's mother, 85-year-old Mary Sutton, was the oldest relative in attendance.

And at five months old, James Ellison was the youngest party-goer.

His mother, Deborah Ellison (nee Sutton), said: "It is interesting getting all the family together, some relatives I have never met and others I vaguely remember seeing when I was little.

"James doesn't know what is going on but, with the family tree and after meeting everyone, when he is older we can show him where he comes from."

Mrs Davison said: "It was great that everyone made the effort despite various difficulties and long distances to get together. Only one of the 14 cousins couldn't make it, he lives in Spain but wrote to say he really wished he was with us. It is too easy to put things on hold and lose touch, it was just wonderful to get all the generations together for a happy occasion."