In message <001201c6418e$0f62c310$44b337d2@scoop2600>, Betty Lark <lark.nelson@xtra.co.nz> writes >Hi Listers, >I am trying to establish where Joseph READ bap.c1747 came from, Joseph READ m. >18 Oct. 1780 Lidlington Sarah PLUMMER This was rather a late marriage - I wonder if he was in the army first. >and Joseph READ died in Lidlington Apl. >1818 age given in the Register 71yrs. Ages at death are always liable to be wrong, because the person who knows best can't say/ It could be two or three yhears out. > I can not find any Joseph READ bap. >anywhere in Beds. around that time, there is a Joseph READ bap. in Watford >Herts. Would a young man need a Settlement Certificate, Technically, yes. In practice, if he seemed solvent and healthy, he might not be asked till this changed. If he could buy or rent a property of the annual value of 10 pounds, he would not need one. The time of marriage, and when old age took its toll are the most likely times of asking. > if so where would I >find this? Among the parish papers of the place where he lived at the time of asking. So the first check is if there is a useful collection for Lidlington (ask Beds Archives). > >Plus the READ family of Maulden, Bds. who were Farmers employing men. In which case, look for their wills - does one mention 'my son Joseph now in Lidlington'.? -- Eve McLaughlin Author of the McLaughlin Guides for family historians Secretary Bucks Genealogical Society