Hi, Darin and Bob,
Thanks for all the tips.
Sorry to be a damp squid, Darin, but Christian disappeared completely from all British censuses and BMD records after 1871. I can only assume that, being 'the baby', he went back to Germany. I'm not too worried about his story as it is his brother, Johannes, who is my ancestor. There is no evidence that Christian was Christian
'W' Baker, and certainly no evidence he had any contact with Wales. But who knows?
I checked out 'Ebbecke' on familysearch but it seems there is no obvious connection.
I have searched all the British records over seven years and can discount any similar names of Bakers born in Germany who lived in London or anywhere else outside of Sussex. Sorry, but my brothers are not on your list.
The names of the four brothers are quite specific - as listed in my original message - and, as far as I know, they only ever lived in the Worthing/Brighton area of Sussex. I am sure their address at the time of naturalisation would have been 'Worthing' or 'Sussex'.
Johannes, Phillipp and George all married shortly after their arrival in England and raised families in the Worthing/Brighton area. I can find no other conection with any other part of Britain.
I have trawled throught he websites you sent, Bob, (very frustrating!!!) and I have not found any trace of the brothers. (If only I spoke German!!!)
Wilsenthrop might be a red herring but it is all I have to go on. It is a name of a village in Nassau mentioned just once in a census return by Christian (or Phillipp? - I can't remember which without checking). Of course, if Christian/Phillipp was born in Wisenthrop, there is no guarantee the other brothers were born there, too. But it may be a start so I shall contact the registry and the Catholic church in Dornburg (the RC parich church of Wilsenthriop?).
I had hoped to find the brothers recorded together on a ship or something so I might learn their original German surname. But, whatever. I shall keep searching ..... .
Of course, I suppose it its just possible they were born in Gernamy of British parents with the name Baker ..... ? But even then, I can find no trace.
Thanks for your help,
Cathy