Hello Banbary-ites (Banbarians?) I have been on your list for a couple of weeks, and can't help notice that things are a little, well, slow! I've been enjoyed your recollections, though! So since there was a fair amount of thumb-twiddling going on, I thought I would share with you the fairly flimsy grounds on which I subscribed to the list. My gg grandfather, John Morton, was born in Birmingham in 1770; his father was Thomas Moreton, who married a Martha Batman in 1761 in Banbury! The only Martha Batman (or Bateman) I can find who makes any sense at all is born in Bloxham in 1735, daughter of Edward Bateman and Alice Coleman. Thomas and Martha's first three children were born in Banbury; then it seems they moved to Birmingham, his home town, and the rest of the family was born there. Since a dozen heads are always better than one, I'm curious to know a couple of things: Is there a logical economic connection between Banbury and Birmingham - or at least was there one in 1761? One that would cause Thomas to move to Banbury, meet a local girl, fall in love, have some kids, but eventually move back to Birmingham because his prospects were better there? (All speculation gratefully received!) Secondly, do you suppose the Martha Batemen of Bloxham is the right one? Sue in Toronto