Hello Richard, Great to hear from another (related) Blaxell across the 'net. Up until a few months ago I thought that virtually all the 'Blaxell' spelling of the name came from a link back to the Potter Heigham area of Norfolk. But thanks due to an Australian contact (Greogory Blaxell) it has revealed that a good number of the family with this derivation of the surname came from the Stoke Damerel area of Devon. I am guessing by your address that this may well be the line you are descended from. (Thats a bit of a wild assumption I guess, as you may have moved to that area much more recently !!) I will send you another mail with the outline information of this line of the family when I get home (I'm at work right now and don't have the information to hand) but this line does start quite early (1700's) if I recall correctly. According to Gregory, many members of the family were employes as ship-wrights etc. in the Navy. Do you know much about your Blaxell connection, do Norfolk or Stoke Damerel feature in the family history to your recollection ? Will e-mail later. Best Regards. Carlton.