Daws open on TV star's family history

But recently he discovered that part of his family is from the city - and he's appealing to Telegraph & Argus readers to help him find out more.

Mr Daws visited Bradford Central Library this week and found family details on the 1891 Census. He discovered his family lived in Saltaire and his great-great grandfather may have been one of the first workers at Salts Mill.

"My mother is tracing our family tree and discovered that members of my father's side lived in Bradford," said Mr Daws, who plays senior partner Dr Gordon Ormerod in the 1960s medical drama.

"My great-great grandfather, Frederick Daws, was born in Middlesex and moved to Bradford in the second half of the 19th century. He opened the Bradford Boot Shop, a successful enterprise for about 40 years.

"I'm fascinated to know why this man, whose portrait stands on my desk at home, made such a big journey. He may have had family up here.

"It's strange to think he lived at Albert Road. I've only driven through Saltaire once and I distinctly remember seeing Albert Road. That sends a shiver up the spine."

Research carried out by local historian Steven Spencer, a graphic artist at the T&A, revealed that Bradford Boot Shop was on Kirkgate.

Mr Daws met Carol Greenwood, Bradford Central Library's senior information officer for local studies, at the library. "Frederick may have come to work at Salts Mill," she said. "Bradford was a boom town at the height of the 19th century's textile industry and many people migrated here for work."

Mr Daws said Frederick and his wife Sarah, from Bradford, moved to 11 Aireville Terrace, Heaton, and later to 97 Aireville Terrace, retiring at 2 Granville Road. Their children were Robert, Frederick, Beatrice, Louise and Charlotte. Robert became an artist and moved to Harrogate.

Mr Daws said: "Frederick, my great-grandfather, moved to London. Our name, Daws, is unusual as it's usually spelt Dawes. It would be great if there are still family members here, or if any readers know about Bradford Boot Shop or my family.

"There's a legend in our family that Frederick was the inspiration for Hobson's Choice so I'm keen to learn more about that too."

Mr Daws is currently filming the next series of The Royal at St Luke's Hospital. He learned from Ms Greenwood that it had been Bradford's workhouse when Frederick lived here.

"It's such a coincidence that I'm now working in Bradford," he said. "It's fascinating and moving to trace your roots and discover where you came from."

Earlier this year Ms Greenwood helped Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman trace his family history for the BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are?

"The new series has sparked lots of interest in family trees," said Ms Greenwood. "We have an urge to find out about our roots. It's humbling to know you come from people who struggled to overcome difficult circumstances.

"Robert has started in the right place - asking for information from local people. My advice is to work backwards from what they know; older relatives and birth, death or marriage certificates tucked away in drawers. They help us understand ancestors' occupations, socio-economic groups, cause of death. Old photographs are useful for names, dates and places written on the back."

• Anyone with information about Robert Daws' family or Bradford Boot Shop is asked to contact Sarah Woonton at Yorkshire Television on (0113) 2227129.

• The Royal is on ITV1 on Sundays at 8pm.

YOUR ARCHIVE ACCESS

Mr Daws, pictured left in his role as Dr Gordon Ormerod in The Royal, looked at the 1891 Census on Ancestry.co.uk, a website containing information useful for tracing ancestors. Bradford Central Library now has an online subscription so library-users can access it for free.

Archive material stored by the West Yorkshire Archive Service has now been moved from its Canal Road base to the Central Library's sixth floor. From mid-October library users will be able to access original records.

• For more information ring (01274) 433688 or email local.studies@bradford.gov.uk