Hi Willow, I think I am going to have to go back to the drawing board on this one. Initially I sent for the birth certificate for John Brooks who I know fron the census,s was born in Dudley C1850 obviously to get the parents names. They came up as Father John Brooks, Mother Elizabeth Rowley. Both John junior and john Senior were bricklayers. I know from the census,s that Johns mother elizabeth was definitely born Brosely, shropshire. So the family you found can,t be them. So having said that there must be another John Brooks born Dudley C1850. I think I am going to have to send for another of the childrens birth certificates, if I can find their births to verify things. Thomas c1853, Joseph C1857, William C 1860, George C1862 and Elizabeth C1865. Thomas joseph and William were born Wolverhampton, George born Longton and Elizabeth Springvale. Will let you know how I get on. Hopefully will get there eventually. I was a bit thrown with the marriage certificate for John and Elizabeth Rowley as it gave johns occupation as a bricklayer as he was. But must admit I couln,t understand why they would go all the way to Birmingham to get married as in those days it was a long way. If your family had given Elizabeths birth as Brosely that would have nailed it but it didn,t. Hope this makes sense Regards Pat
