Hi Jane, Fallow land called Gravenhurst is mentioned as part of a Church Broughton Estate in an Auction Sale in the Derby Mercury of 26 September 1838. The literal meaning of the word 'Gravenhurst' is that it may have been at one time a wooded hill. Do you know who your ancestor's landlords were - quite literally, the Lord who owned the village of Church Broughton, the land on which the house was built or the pasture let? The National Archives website here: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ should be able to provide you with that information, but unfortunately it's got the hump this morning and not giving any info out at all - or it may be my computer that isn't playing. If that particular Lord of the Manor's descendants donated the family's records to a Record Office (as many have) then you may be able to find out a lot more re your ancestors movements, what they did, what monies were paid to whom and why (rent, rates, wages, etc.) Lots of information to be had this way so do give it a try. However, bear in mind that many L of the M's hang on to their own archives so cross your fingers and hopefully you'll get lucky. By the by, there is also an interesting article 'A Birmingham Emigrants Experiences in Canada' in the Derby Mercury of 18 August 1875 with regard to a village named Gravenhurst where there were free grant lands available. There is often a connection when naming new towns and villages/homesteads etc. Just a thought. Cheers, Ruth