Families in Brotherton

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Before the Industrial Revolution, Brotherton must have been in a pleasant and rural landscape but not one that undeveloped by the standards of the day. Its position near a navigable river and the main road route from London to the North could have hardly meant that it was a quiet backwater.

The village became of interest once I started researching my family history. I knew that the Townsley name was relatively rare and that would make it easier to trace, I thought. At first, I investigated the records for the Bradford of West Yorkshire area, since my parents and grandparents came from nearby in Shipley. I assumed that this was where the family had been for generations and there are a number of Townsleys in the various census returns. But going back through records I was surprised to find that many Townsleys had come from further afield especially Brotherton or nearby. Indeed Brotherton had more Townsleys than Bradford; surprising considering that Bradford was a major city by Victorian times. Clearly this required further investigation.

Baine's Directory of the County of York describes the Parish of Brotherton at around 1823. It makes no mention of the river, the road or the local industries, and so the author may never have even visited the parish. Then the population was around 1,500 with another 60 or so in Byram with Poole (2 miles away) and around 75 in Sutton. See Brotherton web site for more.

Parish Register Entries

The parish records for St Edward the Confessor Church go back to the 1500's. Prior to the civil registration of births, deaths and marriages in 1837, the parish records are the main source of information for family history research. Many of the parish records have been collated into the International Genealogical Index (IGI). This is available via the Internet from FamilySearch - along with the 1881 UK Census. As a result you can search the indexed Brotherton parish baptisms and marriages (but not deaths) directly by using the following batch numbers on the IGI Search page; C109361 (1813-1871) - C109362 (1709-1812) for births, and M109361 (1813-1837) - M109362 (1709-1812) for marriages.

If you do some searches then you may notice that there are many common first names - meaning that there is a lot of guess work when linking families together with just the IGI. But also you can see that the Brotherton Townsley lines go back to the 1700's. Unfortunately the earlier baptism entries seem to only list the father's name - which makes the tracing the right parents more difficult still.

Current research indicates that the first Townsley to marry in Brotherton was John Townsley who married Alice Brookbank in 1719/1720 - but the index only starts from 1709. The first Brotherton baptism found being John their son in 1723 - but again no checks have yet been done before 1709. The first Townsley burial indexed is in 1758 with the index starting later than the others at 1748.

After years of attempting to piece together the various Townsley families and trace them to one or two common ancestors it seems that all the families are linked to one or more Thomas Townsleys living between 1730 and 1780. If there was, in fact, just one Thomas then all the families would trace back to this single ancestor - who was, most likely, the son of a Richard & Jane of Castleford.

19th Century Changes

By the mid-1800's social changes were happening at fast pace. The arrival of the railways caused mass movements of people from their traditional roots into the cities and towns for jobs in the factories, mills, shops and offices that grow up rapidly in the West Riding and further afield. This is when the Brotherton branch of the family tree spreads out much further.

National Census Returns

From 1841 onwards the census provides a way of tracing all the members of the family on just one day in every 10 years. These snapshots help fill in the gaps in the history for so many ordinary families.

1841 Census (6 June)

All were born in Brotherton unless stated.

1. George, a labourer (aged 30), and Margaret (aged 30, probably nee Hawcroft) in High Street with children William (aged 5) and Martha (aged 3) and with Ann Hawcroft (aged 10). Link to 1851.1 even though the ages are out.
   
2. William, a labourer (aged 37), and Mary (aged 35) in High Street with children Elizabeth (aged 10), Mary (aged 6), William (aged 5) and Charles (aged 1). Link to 1851.3 but the ages are also out.
3. Thomas, a labourer (aged 30) with Hannah (aged 35, probaby nee Parkin) in High Street with children Sarah (aged 10), William (aged 5) and James or George? (aged 3). Link to 1851.5 below.
4. Richard, a labourer (aged 25) and Mary (aged 22) in High Street with brothers (?) - William (aged 17) and George (aged 14); both labourers. These may be three sons of William (born 1776) & his second wife Ann (nee Aron). If so their ages would have been 28, 22 and 14 respectively - based on known baptisms. These ages are supported by later census returns.  Link to 1851.6 and likely links to 1851.2,  1851.4 below.
5. John, a labourer (aged 35), and Mary (aged 30) in High Street with children John also a labourer (aged 11), Francis (aged 4), Elizabeth (aged 5) and Charles (aged 6 months). Possible link to 1851.2 Elsewhere.
6. Robert (aged 70) and Ann (aged 75) in High Street.
7. John (aged 18) in High Street.
8. Mary (aged 15) and Sarah (aged 13) in Fox? Street. Link to 1851.7 and possible link to Sarah Bramham in 1861.2 for Sunderland.

1851 Census Brotherton  (30 March)

All were born in Brotherton unless stated.

1. George (aged 44) and Margaret from Hensell (aged 43) in 104 High Street with William (aged 17), Martha (aged 12) and Eliza (aged 5). Link to 1861.1, 1871.1 and 1881.1 below.
2. William (aged 31) and Helen (aged 29, probably nee Hard(e)y) in 119 High Street with children Thomas (aged 4), Sarah Ann (aged 2) and infant William. Also there was William Heardy (or Hardey), William's nephew aged 20. Link to 1861.2 and 1881.5 below.
3. William (aged 52) at 57 High Street with children Elizabeth (aged 23), Charles (aged 11), Joseph (aged 9) and George (aged 7). Link to 1861.3 and 1861.9 below. Also Elizabeth could be the Elizabeth Jolliffe in 1891.8 with her Townsley niece. Also daughter Mary is thought to have married John Bramham - link to 1881.11 "living away" entry.
4. George (aged 21) and Mary (aged 19) at 7 High Street with infant son John. Link to 1861.4 below.
5. Thomas (aged 44) and Hannah (aged 45) at 153 Galk Street with children William (aged 15), George (aged 12) and Martha (aged 4). Link to 1871.11 below
6. Richard (aged 28 / 40?) and Mary (aged 32) at 106 Bunkers Hill with children George (aged 9), William (aged 5) and infant daughter Ann. Link to 1861.5 below
7. Sarah (aged 23) at 33 Low Street as a "servant" to Mary Hawksworth (aged 25), a watermans wife, and her two children - Thomas (aged 1) and Martha Elizabeth (aged 1 month). [Mary is thought to be Mary Townsley, sister of Sarah]

1851 Census Elsewhere

A few Townsley's born in Brotherton have been found in other districts of the 1851 Census - more may be found if a combined Yorkshire index becomes available.

1. Francis, a waterman (aged 62) and wife Mary A from Ollerton (aged 56) living with a daughter in Goole. This is thought to be the Frances and Mary Ann buried at East Colwick and recorded on a headstone near the church entrance.
2. John, a dock labourer (aged 43) and wife Mary from Wakefield (aged 46) lodging in Goole.
3. William, an innkeeper (aged 44), wife Charlotte from Norton (aged 39) and 5 children in Pollington, near Snaith. All the children were born in Pollington and so the family seems to have arrived before 1837.

1861 Census Brotherton (7 April)

All were born in Brotherton unless stated.

1. George, an agricultural labourer (aged 52), and Margaret from Hensall (aged 53) in 142 High Street with daughter Eliza (aged 15). Link to 1871.1 and 1881.1 below.
2. William, a limestone labourer (aged 42), and Elen (aged 38) in 108 Church Street with children Thomas (aged 14), Sarah A (aged 12), William (aged 10), Henry (aged 6), John (aged 3) and Martha (aged 1). Link to 1871.2 and 1881.5 below.
3. William, a railway labourer (aged 63), widower in 160 High Street. Link to 1871.3 below.
4. George, a labourer (aged 34) and Mary (aged 30) in 90 High Street with children John (aged 10), Frank (aged 8), George (aged 6), Margaret (aged 4) and Elizabeth (aged 2). Likely links to the four families "living away" under 1881.4 to 1881.6 and 1881.14 below.
5. Richard, a stone quarry labourer (aged 48), and Mary (aged 42) in 87 Bunkers Hill with children George, a basket maker (aged 19), and William an agricultural labourer (aged 15). Link to 1871.4 and 1871.5 below.
6. Annie (aged 10) staying at 89 Bunkers Hill and probably the daughter of Richard and Mary above.
7. William, a captain (aged 26), and Jane (aged 27) in the home of Elizabeth Wilson (mother-in-law from Crediton, Devon) at 39 Low Street with child John (aged 1). Link to 1871.7 below.
8. Rebecca, a widow? (aged 24) in 92 High Street with children George (aged 5), Elizabeth (aged 4) and Margaret (aged 4 months). Link to the "living away" 1881.8 entry.
9. Joseph (aged 19) a mate on the vessel Martha. Possible link to the "living away" entry 1881.2 below.

1861 Census Sunderland, County Durham

Finding the birth certificate for John William Townsley (born 1860) gave a link to Ryhope, Sunderland. A partial check through this census district (No. 18) found three families from Brotherton living very close together. All were born in Brotherton unless stated.

1. George, a colliery engine feeder? (aged 33), and Ann (aged 24) at Wall House with children Sarah Elizabeth (aged 4), Mary (aged 2) and John William born Ryhope (aged 8 months). [Entry 61] Link to 1871.8 below
2. George Bramham, a colliery labourer (aged 35), born Nottingley (Knottingley) and Sarah Bramham (aged 34) also at Wall House with children Mary Ann Hirst (aged 7) and George William Bramham born Sunderland (aged 6 months). [Entry 60]. The assumption is that Sarah was previously married to a Mr Hirst (see 1851.7 above) and she is the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth below.
3. Thomas, a colliery labourer (possibly aged 55), and Elizabeth (possibly aged 50) at Ryhope Mill with grand-daughter Lucy Mary Jane Hawsworth (aged 4). [Entry 64] Link to 1871.9 below.

The probability is that this third entry is the Thomas and Elizabeth (nee Ellis) married 1 August 1825 - who are thought to have had two daughters - Mary (b 1826) and Sarah (b 1828). Mary possibly married Thomas Hawksworth about November 1846. The guess is that the Sarah Bramham above is their younger daughter. Also there is a good possiblity that George is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth - Thomas is the name given on George and Ann's marriage certificate (1855). There are some differences in the ages of George and Ann / Thomas and Elizabeth but this seems to happen a lot. Why Thomas and Elizabeth were acting as parents to their grand-daughter is unclear - see also 1871.9

1871 Census (2 April)

All were born in Brotherton unless stated.

1. George, a farm labourer (aged 62) and Margaret from Hensell (aged 63) in 134 High Street. Link to 1881.1 below.
2. William, a lime workers labourer (aged 50), and Ellen (aged 49) in 169 Bunkers Hill with children Thomas (aged 24), Sarah Ann (aged 22), William (aged 20), Henry (aged 15). John (aged 13) and Eliza (aged 8). Link to 1881.5 below and William (age 20) may be the one in 1881.4 age 28?
3. Thomas Airey, a canal boatman from Pontefract (aged 50), and Sarah Ann (aged 48) in 155 High Street with daughter Sarah Ann (aged 13) and father (in-law) William Townsley (aged 72) a farm labourer.
4. Mary, a widow (aged 52), in 125 High Street with son William (aged 25) a labourer at the lime pits.
5. George, a basket maker (aged 29), and Emma (aged 26) in 126 High Street with son Joseph Burton (aged 3).
6. William, a farm labourer (aged 36), and Jane (aged 40) in 120 High Street with children Sarah Ann (aged 9), Thomas (aged 7) and Eliza (aged 5).
7. Jane, a mariner's wife (aged 37) in 57 Low Street with son Charles (aged 3). Possible link to 1881.7 below. Also note that this is most likely  the family of another William. Updated May 2002
8. George, a waterman (aged 39), and Ann (aged 35) in 39 Low Street with children Mary (aged 12), John William (aged 10), George Thomas (aged 8), James Henry (aged 6) and Mark Edward (aged 2 months) and brother-in-law Thomas Shooter. Link to the "living away" 1881.3 entry and my most likely ancestors. Likely that Elizabeth below is George's mother. Also a possible link to the 1891.9 entry and the 1881.12 / 1881.13 "living away" entries.
9. Elizabeth a widow (aged 74) in 4 Low Street with grand daughter Lucy Hawksworth (aged 13). Possible link to the "living away" 1881.10 entry.
10. Elizabeth, a mate's wife (aged 30), in 63 Jacksons Yard (60 High Street) with children William (aged 7), John Fish (aged 5), Annie (aged 10 months) and niece Elizabeth Airey (aged 10). Link to Thomas Airey above. Absent husband is believed to be Charles - who is, therefore, the son of William and brother of Sarah Ann above. [At 62 Jacksons Yard is Joseph Fish, a mariner (aged 41) with wife Ann Fish (aged 37) and 7 children; possibly related to Elizabeth. Also a Sarah J Fish was recorded as a servant to a family linked to Townsleys in Leeds 1881 - see 1881.11 below]
11. Hannah, a widow (aged 69) in 99 Gaulk Street.

1881 Census Brotherton (3 April)

All were born in Brotherton unless stated.

1. Margaret, a widow and char woman, from Hensell (aged 72) in High Street with grandson George William Blackburn (aged 16) a gardener.
2. George (aged 39), a railway plate layer at Fairburn Tunnel, with wife Emma (aged 36) and son Joseph (aged 13). Link to 1891.3
3. William, a Sand Miner (aged 35), with wife Fanny (aged 27) in High Street with sons Richard (aged 4) and Henry (aged 1). Link to 1891.7 even though age of Fanny is out by 6 years.
4. William, an Agricultural Labourer aged 28, with wife Henrietta (aged 38, from Kellington) in Low Street with sons George W Cardwell (aged 12) and James E (aged 2). Note: a possible relative - Henrietta Cardwell (aged 15) - was at the Low Street Orphanage. Link to 1891.4
5. Another William (aged 62) with wife Ellen (aged 60) at Bunkers Hill with children Thomas, a Quarry Labourer (aged 33), Henry, also a Quarry Labourer (aged 27), Thomas D, a Miner (aged 23), Eliza, an Agricultural Labourer (aged 18) and daughter Matherann ("Martha Ann"? aged 9). Link to 1891.2
6. And another William, a Lime Burner aged 47, with wife Jane (aged 51) in High Street with children Thomas (aged 17) a Labourer and Eliza (aged 16). Link to 1891.1
7. Sarah Ann Haney (widow aged 58) in High Street with daughter Elizabeth Haney (aged 20), grandson James Powell (aged 10) born Castleford and nephew Charles Townsley (aged 13). These seem to be the widow and daughter of Thomas Airey (see 1871.3). The link to the Powell family is unresolved.

1881 Census Elsewhere

In addition to the Townsley's living in Brotherton, there were 1881 Census entries in other parts of the county for family members born in the village but living away.

1. John (aged 48) and Ann (aged 50) were living in Leeds with their 7 children.
2. Joseph (aged 38) and Martha (aged 43) were living in Leeds with their 4 children.
3. George (aged 50) and Ann (aged 45) were living in Argyle Street, Shipley with their 7 children.
4. John (aged 30) and Hannah (aged 28) were living in Back Upton Street, Batley with their 4 children. Thought to be a son of George (6 below) and the brother of George in the same street.
5. George (aged 26) and Louisa (aged 26) were living nearby in Back Upton Street, Batley with their 3 children. Also thought to be a son of George (6 below).
6. George (aged 52) and Mary (aged 50) were also living in Pit Road, Batley with their 7 children; the eldest 3 of whom were also born in Brotherton.
7. George (aged 36) and Mary Ann (aged 34) were living in Wakefield with their 3 children; one of whom was born in Brotherton.
8. Joseph Halley (aged 38) and Rebecca (aged 46) were living in Gomersal with 4 children; the eldest two of whom were called Townsley and were born in Brotherton.
9. Charles (aged 41) and William (aged 17) were on board the vessel "Chase" at Grangemouth, Scotland while the rest of the family were living in Knottingley. These were shown as - Elizabeth (aged 40, born Thorne), John (aged 15), George (aged 8 born Knottingley), Mary E (aged 5 born Knottingley) and Sarah L (aged 1 born Knottingley). Link to 1901.4 and to the Mary A in 1891.8 below? See also more details on the page about son George.
10. Lucy Hawksworth (aged 24) is thought to have married Richard Crabtree (aged 28) and to be living in Albert Terrace, Idle, Bradford with their 2 children. Thomas Hawksworth, her likely father (aged 58), was on the vessel "Sylph" at Goole with his second(?) wife, Susannah (aged 48).
11. John Bramham (aged 48 from Leeds) and his wife Mary (aged 48 whose maiden name is thought to have been Townsley) were living at 1 Warehouse Hill, Leeds with their children John (aged 21), William (aged 19), Arthur (aged 12), Walter (aged 10) and Ernest (aged 5), all born in Leeds. Also there were;- neice Mary Ann Townsley (aged 3), servant Sarah J Fish (aged 15) and lodgers George (aged 30) & Frances Gamble (aged 21) all born Brotherton. A Gamble family is also linked to Townsleys on the Bradford page - but no connection found.
12. John William "Townser" (aged 20 and should be Townsley) a boatman on the barge "John" on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Tarleton, Lancashire but married to Mary (aged 21) who was living in Shipley with her mother Mary A Hird (on the Bradford page).
13. Jonathan Cowman (aged 28 from Leeds) and his wife Sarah Elizabeth (aged 24 - thought to be the sister of John William Townsley just above) on the same boat at Tarleton with their three children Mary Jane (aged 5), George Robert (aged 4) and Martha Elizabeth (aged 1), all born Shipley.
14. Edwin Broadley (aged 26 from Batley) and his wife Mary A (aged 24 - thought to be a daughter of  George in 6 above) - in Back Upton Street (the same street as her likely brothers John and George) with their children Sarah (aged 4) and George T (aged 1), both born Batley.

1881-1891 Births, Marriages & Deaths - with Family Records Centre References

The references shown below can be used to obtain birth certificates from the FRC in London - but should still be checked first. They cannot be used directly at the local Register Offices since they have different indexes.

1. William birth 1881/Sep/Pontefract/9c/85
2. Sarah Ann E birth 1882/Dec/Pontefract/.... (details to be checked)
3. Eliza marriage1883/Mar/Pontefract/9c/109
4. Frances birth 1883/Jun/Pontefract/9c/101
5. Martin birth 1885/Jun/Pontefract/9c/89
6. Albert birth 1886/Mar/Pontefract/9c/99
7. Martha Ann death 1886/Jun/Pontefract/9c/56
8. Albert birth 1888/Jun/Pontefract/9c/94
9. Mary Elizabeth birth 1890/Mar/Pontefract/.... (details to be checked)
10. Albert birth 1890/Jun/Pontefract/.... (details to be checked)

1891 Census (5 April)

All were born in Brotherton unless stated.

1. William, a lime burner (aged 59), and Jane (aged 63) at 25 Rob Yard with children Tom, a coal miner (aged 29) and Eliza (aged 26). Link to 1901.1
2. Thomas, a stone quarry man (aged 44) in 50 Chadwicks Yard with brothers William (aged 39) and Henry (aged 37). Link to 1901.3
3. George, a railway plate layer (aged 49) and Emma (aged 46) in 75 Fairburn Tunnel with son Joseph also a plate layer (aged 25).
4. William, a stone quarry labourer (aged 40), and Henrietta (aged 49) in 84 Low Street with children James E (or S) aged 12 and Albert (aged 5).
5. John, a coal miner (aged 31), and Eliza (aged 21) in 119 Gauck Street with son Albert (aged 10 months).
6. George, a licensed victualer (aged 48), and Mary A from Leeds (aged 45) in the Commercial Inn, 121 Gauk Street, with children John W, a butcher (aged 19 born Leeds), son Hanndon (?) aged 17, Mary H (aged 15), Charles W (aged 12 born Wakefield), George (aged 10 born Wakefield), Sarah A (aged 8) and Martin (aged 6). Link to 1901.5
7. William, a coal miner (aged 46), and Fanny (aged 31) in 133 High Street with children Richard (aged 14), Henry (aged 12), William (aged 9), Frances (aged 7), Beatrice (aged 5), Albert (aged 3) and Mary E (aged 1). Link to 1901.6
8. Elizabeth Jolliffe a widow (aged 60) in 168 High Street with Mary A Townsley her niece (aged 15), a milliner born Knottingley. The niece is likely to be the "Mary E" shown earlier as the daughter of Charles & Elizabeth (1881.9 living away) and to be the Mary Emma born January 1876 at Knottingley. She is also thought to have had a twin sister, Elizabeth Joliffe Townsley, who died soon after birth.
9. George Thomas, a master (aged 26) and Sarah (aged 25) both born Brotherton but at Shipley on the vessel "Ida" on the Leeds & Liverpool / Bradford Canal at the time of the census.

1901 Census

This was due to become available at the beginning of January 2002 but the service was very poor up to September. However now that the service is available via the web (most times) it is possible to enquiry directly via www.1901census.nationalarchives.gov.uk. With initial enquiries it is possible to piece together the following basic information for the remaining Brotherton households -

1. Jane Townsley (69) and Thomas (35) Top Pitman
2. Lillian Townsley (27), George (5) - note: possibly the widow of John William (Nov 1870-Oct 1900) son of George & Mary below
3. Thomas Townsley (54) Quarryman Lime Burner, William (47) Quarryman Lime Burner, Harry (45) Quarryman Limeburner and John (42) Coal Miner Hewer
4. Charles Townsley (61) Tobacco Shop & Coal Dealer, Elizabeth (60 Thorne), George (28 Knottingley) Barber, Sarah (21 Knottingley) and Albert (10)
5. George Townsley (56) Own Means, Mary (54 Leeds), Mary (23), George (20 Wakefield) Grocers Assistant, Sarah (18), Martin (16) Grocers Assistant and Hannam (2?)
6. Fanny Townsley (44), Richard (24) Pony Driver Underground, Henry (22) Clammer At Colliery Underground, Frances (18), Willie (18) Poney Driver Underground, Beatrice (15), Albert (13), Mary (11), George (8) and Maria (6)

This data does not provide addresses or relationships but does provide an outline for tracing each family further. All the above were born in Brotherton unless stated.

1914-18 War

The small War Memorial in Brotherton contains the names of those that died in the First World War; together with the later additions for those lost in the Second World War. It lists "George R Townsley" as one of the 30 or so names for the conflict of 1914-18. This is thought to be George Robert Townsley, born about February 1892, to William & Frances (1891.7 and 1901.6)

Twentieth Century

With so many families to consider my efforts have been limited to just my own family line. However, I now know that at least one of the other Brotherton Townsley's got as far as the Canada and the USA. Elizabeth (Census 1871.10) was married to Charles (Census 1881.9 - living away) and their son, George (b. about 1873) emigrated to Canada. From there, descendents moved to the USA and one of the present day descendents has been provided an extra chapter to the story - see George Townsley of Brotherton >>>.

Current Times

1. Maurice, Denise and Stephen in Foxcliffe, Brotherton
2. William M in St Edwards Close, Byram
3. John in Sutton Lane, Byram

Given the size of the village, the surname's long history and even the familiarity of the first names, it quite possible that the remaining Townsley's have links that go back over 300 years.

Surviving Brotherton Gravestones

The parish churchyard and two adjacent cemeteries have had their inscriptions recorded by the Pontefract & District Family History Society. A short visit in May 2002 found that the overgrown Victorian cemetery opposite the parish church had been cleared of brambles and undergrowth revealing the surviving gravestones. These included several for Townsley families, some of which are -

• "In loving memory of  / George Townsley / master mariner of Brotherton / died April 7th 1924 / in his 80th year / also his dear wife / Mary Ann / died Aug 23rd 1912 / in her 67th year // Also / their daughter / Sarah Ann Elizabeth / died Aug 10th 1906 / in her 24th year // And / Charles Edwin / their son / he died Jan 10th 1911 / aged 31 years // Also / John William / their eldest son / died Oct 27th 1900 / aged 30 years / also their son / George Albert / died Nov 19th 1909 / aged 28 years". This seems to be a link to the George and Mary A who were running the Commercial Inn in 1891 - even though George has a different profession.
• "In memory of / Mary / wife of William Townsley / of Brotherton / who died Sept 4th 1849 / Aged 49 years // Also the above named / William Townsley / who died Febr 8th 1880 / Aged 81 years". This is a link to 1841.2 above as well as 1851.3, 1861.3 and 1871.3.
• " ... remembrance of / William Townsley / who was lost Decr 8th 1872, off Treport / on the northern coast of France / aged 38 years // also Jane wife of the / above who departed this life / February 12th 1875 / aged 42 years // also of Francis William / son of John and Florence / Townsley, who died Septr / 1st 1882 aged 10 months". This is a link to 1861.7 above as well as 1871.7. If this is correct then this family lost 3 successive generations at sea - John (the son of William recorded above) and his son Charles (b 1899) both being lost in 1923.

Update July 2005

I know that this short study is not particularly good research or of academic merit, but it may be of interest to the descendants of the families mentioned. Certainly it has been interesting for me to do and I will continue trying to find out more.

If anyone is able to expand on any aspect of the family trees covered or correct any mistakes I have, no doubt, made please let me know.