Hi Patti I read through your page on the Hertfordshire Genealogy site which explained the problem. I've now had a look at the local paper and I don't know how much help it has been. If he didn't use a made up name, I'm wondering about his accent - a famous example is the city of Norwich which is pronounced something like 'Narge' Should I have inspiration and locate any other references I'll be in touch straight off. Interestingly the village of Waterford you mention is some 20 miles NE of Watford, a huge town, also in Herts. Regards. Tony But for now the two articles (by the way, I've checked that I have it spelled exactly as per the article): ********************************************************************************************** Stamford Mercury - Friday, December 2, 1842, page 3, column 6 At the Town-hall, Stamford, on . . . Wednesday a man calling himself James Knapsey, from Whatford, Herts, was committed for trial on the charge of stealing two silver watches, value 5l., from the shop window of Mr. Norton, in High-street, which he broke for the purpose of abstracting the property. ********************************************************************************************** Stamford Mercury - Friday, January 6, 1843, page 4, column 3 STAMFORD SESSIONS, Dec. 31. - Jas. Knapsley pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing, on the 30th November, two silver watches, value 5l., the property of Robt. Norton, watchmaker, of High-street, and was sentenced to seven years' transportation. **********************************************************************************************