American man's quest to trace the Sandbach branch of his family's tree from across the pond
By Deborah Bowyer 11th Jan 2026
An American man researching his family history is hoping to track down one branch of his family in Cheshire with the help of Sandbach Nub News.
Jim Owston from, Beckley, West Virgina contacted Nub News after spotting our stories about model engineer, Philip Owston, from Sandbach who is a distant relation of Mr Owston.
Jim, an instructional designer/curriculum specialist at Concord University, says he's hoping a link with Philip Owston in Sandbach will help him piece together another part of the Owston family tree.
He said: "Occasionally, I search the Internet for our surname. A while back, I had performed a search and found the stories about Philip's steam engine that he occasionally displays at Sandbach functions. Hence, this is how I knew his location.
"I live in Beckley, West Virginia, USA and I work for Concord University. I am the Instructional Designer/Curriculum Specialist for the Social Work program.
"I had previously corresponded with his first cousin John Owston who had worked for the BBC as a librarian. I would like to know more about his branch of the family."
Sandbach Nub News has written various stories about Philip Owston who started off his working life as a fitter and turner in the railway industry in Crewe as we revealed here
The avid model engineer, who worked at Foden's in Sandbach as well as in the rail industry, spends his time now working on models at his Elworth Road home and has exhibited at Sandbach Transport Festival and Smallwood Vintage Rally.
Philip, who is a member of local model engine societies, is a collector of railway memorabilia, a link to his days spent working in the rail industry.
He said previously: "I started off doing steam repairs on trains and then building new diesels. It was dirty work back in those days but it was a good apprenticeship and I learnt a lot."
Watch this space for the next part of this fascinating story!
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