WHEN Eric Meacock began researching his family tree eight years ago, 10,000 miles away in Western Australia, little did he realise what he’d started – and that he would end up in Chester.

He began tirelessly feeding the names of thousands of distant relatives into his data bank – and all inquiries led him back to the Chester and Birkenhead areas.

And among those names was former Chester Chronicle reporter and current ITV presenter Lucy Meacock, who as it turned out is a second cousin of Eric, 81.

The pair met for the first time this week, with Lucy keen to follow Eric in his research.

When Eric was a boy he met Lucy’s dad a couple of times, but he died more than 20 years ago.

Eric said: “It was very exciting to discover a TV presenter in the family.

“We’ve had quite a variety over the years – brewers, painters and accountants, but never one of those before. At least being high profile means you’re easy to find on the internet.”

Lucy said: “It was really moving for me. Eric reminds me so much of my dad, and as my dad died more than 20 years ago, it brought a real lump to my throat.

“When I met Eric it was as if we had known each other for years. He’s very easy going – a bit of a family trait. I am so impressed with all the research he’s doing to track us all down.”

Eric is now inviting anyone with the surname Meacock to bring along any old family photographs and family records to a big family meeting at The Pavilion, Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead, on Saturday (October 15), when all will be welcomed.

Lucy added: “It’s a great idea to invite people along on October 15. We’re hoping for a good turnout.

“So if you or anyone you know has the surname Meacock or knows someone with it, please spread the word. You can drop in after 10.30am and we’d love to see you there.”

Already on the guest list are relatives from Canada, South Wales, London and the Cotswolds.

Larry Meacoe and his brother (their family changed the spelling) will be there from Toronto.

He and Eric had DNA tests to find out how closely related they were. They discovered their common ancestor was William Meacock, born in the early 1800s.

Eric traced his family back to Birkenhead – and on an old map dated 1875 found Meacock Street and Meacock Court near the old St Mary’s Church and Priory.

Both disappeared with the expansion of the docks and the construction of the Mersey Tunnel.

There’s a record of John Meacock the brewer living on Meacock Street. He and his family worshipped at St Mary’s Church nearby.

Eric and Lucy visited to see if they could find family graves there – but when the docks expanded, the graves were moved to Landican Cemetery, so Eric is planning to do some further research there.

There was Robert Meacock, described in his will as a gentleman. He was a baker and flour dealer. He had two sons, Edward and Robert Meacock – the tradition was the oldest son was named after the father.

Robert was a master plumber and painter, employing 21 men and eight boys. He and his wife Alice died in their 40s, leaving six daughters and two young sons.

The boys eventually moved to South Wales, but what happened to the girls is unknown.

One of the boys had a son called Robert Meacock – he was Lucy Meacock’s grandfather and Eric Meacock’s cousin.

Eric and Lucy also discovered the names of three Meacocks on an old forgotten and overgrown headstone at the beautiful village church St Peter’s Plemstall, just outside Chester.

It was of William Thomas Meacock, youngest son of Robert and Jane Meacock, of Hoole village. He died in 1936, aged 55.

Also buried there are Jessie and Frederick George Meacock, who died in the 1950s.

At the same time as Eric was researching his family tree, on the other side of the world Audrey and Bob Meacock from Pensby, Wirral and their son Paul, were doing the same.

Painstaking research on their part shows an entirely different family tree centred mainly on Chester and Hoole and they’re keen to find the connection between the two branches of the Meacock family.

Eric met Bob for the first time a few weeks ago.

He said: “I was shocked by how familiar he seemed. He reminded me so much of my grandfather. It was very exciting to see there was obviously a connection.

“We believe our common ancestor could be Thomas Meacock who was born in the 1700s. But we haven’t got enough information to confirm it yet.”

Eric knows the Meacock family had connections to other local families Blaylock, Grace, Bennett, Young and Ledsham.

He knows the Meacock name with its origins in Chester and Birkenhead has links to Bromborough, Parkgate, Tranmere and Ledsham.

But he’s urging as many as possible to some along on Saturday with family photos and records.

Audrey and Bob Meacock would also be keen to hear from anyone with a connection, and anyone who can help is urged to email them at rob_audreymeacock@btinternet.com.

Mark Dowlingmark.dowling@cheshirenews.co.uk