Can anybody put me out of my misery, please. I am back to 1791 with Philip Pickles (Pickels) and possibly 1767 with James Pickle(s), his father, who both "say?" they were born at (Little) Bolton. I suspect they may have been around Shelf, near Halifax. But - I can find very little as regards either of them at either Bolton or Halifax. Banns, wedding & death for Philip, death for James
So, my question is - would all births in the mid to late 1700s have to be registered? Could it be that James may be another name at birth, e.g. John, Jack etc?
Any help gratefully appreciated.
