Hi Dai and everyone, Thank you so much for the information. As his sister was born three years later than him and his father was serving in India where he died in 1858, it looks as though mother was in England for the birth because it states Earlstown, Lancashire. Her mother died in 1861in St. Leonards on Sea, Sussex. However I cannot find a marriage for Mary Wells [Elkington] born 1857 and married for 21 years in 1911. However, I have now been able to trace him through every census except 1881, and he was an orphan. He mysteriously appeared in Manchester and finally his sister turns up there married to a man from Berkshire so it has led me to a sister I didn't know he had and with the help of many of you who kindly sent me various hints which have been very helpful. Once again, thank you. JUDY ELKINGTON (N.Derbyshire) Member no.4052 elkington@one-name.org www.elkingtonfamily..com http://www.one-name.org/profiles/elkington.html