Hi Jane
thanks for that little gem. Much apprmeciated.
I am concentrating on the Arnold side for the moment as I knew nothing about my fathers family. Mum told me he was put up for adoption and sent to Canada. Brought back at 11yrs of age to be adopted at the same time as the marriage of Annie Eliz Gates to Jim's Arnolds brother who wanted no children but compromised on an 11yr old. He waited until halfway through the ceremony to declare he couldn't go through with it, whereupon his brother Jim stood forward saying "I'll give the boy a name" saving the honour of a single woman and a child now brought back from Canada to prospective parents. Cannot find anything that supports this tale so can only assume this is a cover up story of some sort. Will have to start sending for certs I think! Having said that, there does appear to be a gap between groups of children and dad only had a "short birth cert". Perhaps Jim was widowed and Annie took on his and he took on hers?!! I won't know until I apply for certs.
chrissy
