Hi Margaret I suspect the vast majority are not challenged by the research into aristocracy <vbg> As you say its ironic that convict connections seems to be as desirable as a connection to the Pilgrims is for Americans Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > We have no excuse for not having any census records other than the fact that many of our forebears didn't want to be identified as being connected to convict stock. Our census records are still being pulped 'for privacy reasons' unless one ticks the box to have their particular return retained. The silly thing about being connected to convict stock is that it is now quite the thing. > > I often think how boring it must be to research the aristocracy where everything has been recorded for centuries. Where is the challenge in that? > > Thank you for all your research tips. > > Margaret in Oz.