Hi all, I've just joined this list so thought I would post my area of interest I'm researching into the history of Alfred Bird (1811-1878) who invented custard powder in the UK. Coming forward is OK but going backwards in history is a bit stickier. In particular, I am trying to prove a reference on the cenotaph of his son (also Alfred) in Robin Hood cemetery, Birmingham, UK which states that he was a "descendant of John Bird 1709-1770 who was distinguished by his services to astronomy and navigation by his accurate division of the Greenwich and other quadrants and for the construction of the standard yard." Particularly frustrating is that in all the references to John Bird (1709-1770) he never seems to have married or had children. So maybe this is family folklore or maybe I'm not looking in the right areas. Does this link with anybody else's research please or .....? Thanks in anticipation > Mike (michael.lowcock@capgemini.co.uk) > > Interests LOWCOCK (Derbyshire ) > FROGGATT (Derbyshire) > BIRD (as in custard and/or astronomy > Warwickshire, London, Lincs) > OLLIER (Cheshire, Ayrshire, Ireland > RAISBECK (Cumbria) > > > > >