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REPLY Elizabeth - re various. There are three census returns for Horningsham, only one of which is indexed. I can confirm that in the indexed census only BARNES appears (though I will check that again tomorrow as the alphabetical order leaves something to be desired!). I have not checked the other two census returns for the other names, but have concentrated on Barnes in all three sets of returns (I did everyone as not all forenames are included). Tomorrow I will check out the other names in the unindexed records. Right, here we go! 20th July 1797 Overs Street - BARNES Thomas labourer to William Gray. Married the dau of John Huntley. Children, 1m & 2f under 7. Lodger one man. House of two dwelling rooms - bad repair. Outhouse nearly down. Pottle Street - BARNES Jno (late) Now unoccupied - let to Thomas Edwards. Pottle Street - BARBER Hannah widow of Edward (weaver). One female above 7. Three lodgers (dau's bastard and two apprentices) House in good repair. BARNES Jno weaver and wife (Edward's dau). Children, 1f under 7, 2m & 1f above 7. Population 1025 (482m, 543f) 198 houses, 230 families May 1799 Lower Shute - BARNES Thomas labourer to Mr Gray. Married the dau of John Huntley. Children, 1m & 2f under 7, 1m above 7. Man not of Horningsham parish. House in very bad repair, garden good. No address recorded - BARNES John weaver married to Hannah Barber's daughter. Children, 3m under 7, 1f above 7. Lives with his mother-in-law, Hannah BARBER. Man has run away from his family since last account was taken. Wife and family kept by the parish. 1801 Lower Shute - BARNES Thomas labourer, wife Children, 1m & 2f under 7, 1f above 7. House of Mr Cave, late James. Pottle Street - BARNES wife of John (weaver) He had run away. Children 2m under 7, 1m & 1f above 7. House of Hannah BARBER. As I said, I will take another look tomorrow and get back to you here. Sarah

Sarah, Thank you so much for all your help. This is wonderful news on the Barnes family and extremely interesting to read, and such a great help for my tree. I am so thrilled. Please do not rush on the other names would be lovely if you find something of course. Many thanks once again. Elizabeth

REPLY Elizabeth. I have looked for your other names and can confirm there are no occurrences of BIFFEN, DUNFORD or HARRIS in the early Horningsham census returns (all spellings I could imagine!). I have been wondering about HALE though. There are a couple of families called HEALE - a different name to us today, but could these be the people you seek. The heads of household are Robert and Samuel. There is also a James HOLE and family, which I thought could be a mis-transcription. Let me know if you would like the full details of any/all of these. It's no trouble - a good excuse to read some of it - How about: 'HILL - John and a very old and infirm wife (dead)' Sorry, but I couldn't help laughing! Sarah

REPLY Margaret, You would have to tell be which parishes you want me to search. Most parishes are not indexed, so it's a case of checking every name. Some parishes are small and would only take a few minutes, but to check all would take several hours! Thanks for your concern that they are tucked up! Yes - Hooray! Sarah

Sarah, You are so kind. I have just rechecked my files, I have found a John Hale, 1724, William 1731, Joseph 1756, however, it says that John was born Longbridge Deverill which is approximately 2 miles away, as the crow flies, but they did live in Horningsham. It certainly does make lovely reading, and had a good laugh when I read about the Barnes family with the man running away from his family....... wonder where he went too...... If you have time one evening would love to have anything you can find, but please you must be busy with 2 children to care for, and all the other requests you will receiving, I am quite content at being at the bottom of your list. Thank you so very much appreciate your kind offer. Elizabeth

Sarah Is there a chance you could look for the surname BREWER in Chiseldon. On both of the lists if thats possible. Thank you Margaret

Hi Sarah Would it be possible to look up the name COMLEY in Cliffe Pypard. I have two census telling me that my relation either born there in 1820's or Broad Town. Just wondering whether the name pops up earlier. Many thanks Anna

Thanks Sarah for trying Back to the drawing board

Hi,Looking for parents of John Rumsey dob 1811 lived in Melksham,Wiltshire. Trying to no avail to find his parents and their date of birth and their parents if possible! Hope you can help. Thanks sandy

REPLIES It's been a bad night I'm afraid! Margaret - re Brewer in Chiseldon. Sorry, none at all, 1697, 1701, 1702, 1705 or 1787 Elizabeth - thank you for your very kind message yesterday, or this morning - whenever! It was SO kind, I wasn't quite sure if you actually wanted the Heale/Hole entries, or not. Let me know if you do! Anna - re Comley in Cliffe Pypard - Sorry, there were none. Susan re Cricklade - Sorry, Cricklade was a parish in it's own right, and I don't have any records for it. Margaret - re Baverstock and derivatives in Corsham, Steeple Ashton and Donhead. Sorry, there were none. Elizabeth re Wigmore at Mere. Sorry there were none. Sandra re Rumsey in Melksham. Sorry, but I don't have any records for Melksham. If you want me to look in any specific parishes, please let me know. There are NO INDEXES! Best Wishes Everyone - sorry I drew blanks :~) Sarah

Hi Sarah, Taking you up on your offer. Anything you can find on Heale/Hole would be wonderful if it not too much trouble, in the hope it is misspellt for Hale..... Many thanks. Elizabeth

REPLY Elizabeth re Horningsham Heale and Hole: 20th Jul 1797 Roes Hill - HOLE James married Dunning of Corsley. Children 1m & 2f above 7. No garden West Common - HEALE Robert, carpenter, married one of Poole. Children, 1m under 7, 1m above 7. House and carpenters shop. House of two dwelling rooms, all tolerable. Pottle Street - BARBER Benjamin senr (82) weaver, wife. Children, 1m & 2f above 7. Own house tolerable repair and very good garden and orchard. HEALE samuel, weaver, wife (Ben's daughter). Children, 1m under 7. Lodger Catherine FOLKES. May 1799 West Common - HEALE Robert, carpenter, married one of Poole. Children 1m under 7, 1m above 7. Industrious man in decent circumstances. Wife clean and house well kept and in good repair. Pottle Street - HEALE Samuel, weaver, married Benjamin Barber's daughter. Children 1m under 7. House good repair. NB Left parish - Man gone for soldier - wife and child now live with his family. 1801 West Common - HEALE Robert, carpenter, wife. Children 1m under 7 and 1m above 7. Best Wishes - Sarah

Thank you so much Sarah for the Heale/Hole names, have printed them off, it is really interesting to read. Appreciate the look-up very much. Regards, Elizabeth

Sarah Thank you for looking for Brewer in Chiseldon. They moved there from Chippenham, perhaps later than the dates you have. I have a marriage there in 1793 and children born there after that date. Margaret

Hi Sarah, I have John GIBBS born 1805 Highworth, no idea who his father is however so not sure if you'll be able to help. Also looking for Charles STRANGE age unknown possibly Highworth, Marion

Sarah, My great-grandmother Elizabeth Keynes or Kaynes was born in Westport St. Mary, Malmsbury,17/11/1833, married Joseph Bell 12/9/1953 in Bistol, & sailed from Plymouth 6/10/1953 to Australia. I would much appreciate anything you can find on this family. Yours, Dorothy.

Hi Sarah Thanks very much for the time you spent looking for me. All helps to narrow things down even with a blank. Many thanks Anna

REPLIES This reply to Marion is a load of ****, as I DO have Highworth - to be corrected soon! Marion - re Gibbs and Strange. I don't have any records for Highworth and the parishes I do have are not indexed. Please look at my list of parishes on page one of the thread and give me the names of any parishes you would like me to check. Dorothy - re Keynes/Kaynes. I don't have any records for Malmesbury. Please see the reply for Marion, above and do the same!! Best Wishes Sarah

Hi Sarah, Thanks for this very kind offer. Could you possibly look up any HARDINGS in Sutton Veny. Also if its not too much trouble I also have links to SIMPKINS in Lydiard Tregoze. Any information would be much appreciated. Many thanks Lisa

Hi Sarah, Thanks for the offer; is there any information on Stephen Crouch (& parents) born in Horningsham about the end of the 18th Century. Many thanks Mike