RootsChat.Com

Mods, feel free to move to a more appropriate board if needed, this seemed my best option
I just spent a few days visiting family & ancestral villages etc. Was wonderful
met up with the family 'archivist' and found a very interesting old soft covered book
I have posted some images of this book, all the names are family, and tie in with dates etc I already have.
I have a gut feeling of what this is, but am very interested in any opinions from you lovely lot
There are 19 pages altogether, though at least 5 have been cut out at some stage. There seems to be a marbled inner cover which is smaller than the pages and the back cover (A4 compared to foolscap sizes FYI) I have posted some images showing the type of contents. The first several pages are worked examples of the Single Rule of Three (yes I've googled that!) This is followed by the Richard Gardner pages which mainly consist of what seem to be practice letters? Then several removed pages, followed by a section of navigation notes and some sketches. Finally there are more sketches, a random poem and further 'jottings' and doodles.
I can only post 4 photos apparently so have chosen some examples of each section and an inner cover
I look forward to your ideas

Hi to any one researching this family. I have been given images of an old family bible with lots of entries for this family during the 1600s. The main name I have found is Henry Shaw whose probate is dated 1692, Henry was a barber surgeon and relatively wealthy judging by his will inventory. His will etc can be found on the Durham wills database and I believe his eldest son was John. I haven't researched the family other than this.
I was hoping to find someone researching the family so I can pass on the images
Feel free to move this post to a more suitable board if demed useful
Christine

Years ago I downloaded an image of a possible ancestor of my husband. I had been googling the family name, approximate date and location when I found a portrait image with the correct surname, same christian name and sensible date.
Being a novice at the time I did not note the source of the image, retitled it and cropped it a little.
Every so often I attempt to find the original image, unsurprisingly with no success
Does anyone have any ideas on how to find it again?

I am attempting to move back a generation from my 4xG grandfather Thomas Wilkes who was born about 1785 in Staffordshire, 1851 census has his POB as Essington. Thomas was a locksmith/ bellhanger in the early part of his life, baptism records & his children's marriage records all confirm this trade.
There is a likely baptism record for Thomas at All Saints Bloxwich on 17 May 1787 to Matthew Wilkes & Hannah. I cannot find another candidate
Based on this baptism I found a marriage record for Matthew Wilkes & Hannah Barber, Sept 1782 St Matthew Walsall. There are also administration records dated 25 Feb 1807 for a Matthew Wilkes, locksmith of Bloxwich dying intestate & widow Hannah which say he died September last & finally a burial record 17 Sept 1806 at Bloxwich.
The above records all seem to be the same couple and probable parents for my Thomas (he named his first daughter Hannah & second son Matthew)
I have also found army records for a Matthew Wilkes of 16th Royal Lancers born about 1754, discharged 1796. He is described as a gunsmith from Wednesbury
I can only find one potential baptism for a Matthew Wilkes born about 1754 in Staffordshire, which was at St Lawrence Darlaston on 12 Oct 1755, parents Matthew & Anne.
I would appreciate opinions on whether these Matthews could be the same man and any advice on where else to look for records which might confirm or deny a link
TIA
Christine

I have a Mitchell family in the 1841 census living at Shuttle Hall, Forfar. I haven't seen the original so this might be a transcription error (FindMyPast) but the name does make sense given the local trade & the Mitchells were linen hand loom weavers. I have found one reference in newspapers from 1903 regarding a theft from 'Shuttle Hall near Forfar'; other than that zilch. I have done the usual google, maps and newspaper searches and checked OS Scotland Place Names.
Anyone heard of it?