Laurence, I'm afraid I can't claim the Barbers of Dunwich, co. Suffolk. I just "stumbled" over them while researching another line. Dunwich is further south along the coast. I suppose you got back to 1434 with parish registers. You might also look for poll tax records or deeds to get back another generation.. If the family had a coat of arms you might find them in the visitations by heralds of the College of Arms. I found Fressingfield and St. Margaret's, Southelmham (but not Cratfield) on a reprint of the first edition of the Ordnance Survey of England and Wales, sheet 55 Eye & Stowmarket. Other possible sources might be the Victorian County Histories, and publications of the Suffolk Record Society. Happy Hunting, Ken > >Laurence Barber wrote: > > > > Hi Ken, > > I'm back to James Barber, c. 1434, Fressingfield. There is a will but it > doesn't mention the names of his parents (rats!). I know there were Barbers > in this area, a generation before that but I don't know the parents names > or other connections. My nearer ancestor, Robert Barber, c. 1814, emigrated > to the Guelph area of Canada in 1836. His mother, Elizabeth Moore was c. at > St. Margaret's, Southelmham just NE of Fressingfield. In fact, Robert's > parents (William and Elizabeth) were living in the Cratfield parish house > prior to Robert's departure for Canada. > > How close are your Barbers to the Norfolk/Suffolk border? I'd love to try > and get back beyond the 1434 date, but I haven't a clue now how to proceed. >