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Hi all

I’m trying to find more information on my great-great grandmother, Elizabeth Brown nee Lockett, who I know from census records was born in Stoke on Trent c. 1816.

Elizabeth married a soldier, William Brown (although I can find no marriage record - possibly regimental and potentially overseas?) and had four surviving children. The family settled in the West Midlands after William was discharged from the army on medical grounds in 1854.

If anyone is related to Elizabeth, or has any more information about the Lockett family, I’d be delighted to hear from you.

Thanks.

Jonny

Hi

Is anyone doing any research on Matilda Barton (born High Wycombe c. 1803-1808), married to Richard Smith (born Birmingham, c. 1800)?

According to census records and a Walsall trade directory, Richard was a shoe/bootmaker by occupation.

I have a marriage record from 1824 in High Wycombe for a couple of the same name.

I have full details for their children, one of whom was my great-grandmother Louisa Smith, and subsequent descendants, but if anyone has any information on Matilda and Richard's families that would be a huge help as I've hit a bit of a brick wall.

Thanks!

Jonny

I'm trying to find information about my 2 x great grandfather, George Best.

All I know about him is that George fathered my great-grandmother Ann Best, who was born at 84 Charter Street In Manchester on 21st December 1858.

Ann's mother was Prudence Dainter (sometimes spelt Daintry or Dainty), who was born and brought up in Birmingham.

George is recorded on both Ann's birth certificate and marriage record as her father and although Prudence later married another man, Ann retained the name Best until she married Joseph Ray in 1878. I can find no evidence of Prudence and George ever marrying.

Whether George was Mancunian or a Brummie I've no idea although Charter Street where Ann was born was in a notorious part of Manchester,  and according to a local researcher I spoke to might well have been somewhere an unmarried woman from Birmingham would go to have her baby.

Family oral history/legend tells that George went off on a whaling ship shortly after Ann was born, and that after seven years of no contact Prudence had George declared officially dead and married Henry Keen in 1868 which if the story is true suggests they may have married.

George allegedly showed up again briefly when Ann was older, and introduced himself as her real father.

Any information anyone may have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!