"In the beginning......"

For the Sweeneys and the Barracloughs the starting point, in the early 1900's, is rooted in India - Hyderabad of Portuguese/Irish stock and England - Staines of Yorkshire/Sussex stock, all coming together and germinating in Chittagong, modern day Bangladesh and Lumding, in Assam.

Frances, Ida, Sweeney born in Hyderabad came across Charles, Richard, Barraclough born in Staines, got together as is the custom of people, they married on 26th. December 1928 and thereby the story begins.....!

High in the North Cachar hills of Assam the offspring began to appear in this world and Tara Devi, the home of William, Wilton Sweeney and Alice, Maud Honey, the parents of Frances became a favourite place of resort for all the family, being also the home of even Alice's mother known as "Little Granny" - one might say that the people roots were well established!!!

The Sweeneys had sent their children to a hill school in Haflong, including Frances, thus discovering the delights of the area and bringing about the purchase of "Tara Devi" when Frances' parents retired, moving from Chittagong to Haflong around the middle to late 1930's. The pictures show the bungalow style home, plus family group of William, Alice and Little Granny plus Wilton, Stephen (grandchildren) and the family pet dogs and also nearby Haflong lake, a favourite family haunt for fishing, picnics and walks.