Hi listers Anyone out there researching the BROCKHOUSE surname? I received the following email from a lady in New Zealand and wondered if anyone could help her. Her name is Robyn Brocas-Reti (robyn@igrin.co.nz) ------------------------------------------------- Hello Ian, While filling in time last night while my husband watched yet another rugby match I stumbled upon your Sedgley sight. This is very exciting as our families genealogical stumbling block is a 4th great grandfather born in Sedgley. The earliest info. that we have is a marriage of Thomas Brocas and Sarah Hill 5 Feb 1753 both of this Parish. There is a daughter Mary born in 1754 and then ours another Thomas 11 Jun 1756 - son of Sarah and Thomas Brocas of Woodsetton. Thomas Sen. died while the children were very young and the mother and children were removed to Rugeley. We know this as there are diaries in the Shrewsbury library written by Thomas Jun. We have never been able to find any poor law records of the area and wonder if you know of any existing please. Young Thomas became a wealthy China and Cheese merchant in Shrewsbury and also a Methodist preacher. On one of his preaching circuits in Jan 1787 he says that he stayed with cousin John Hickman at Gornal Wood near the cemetery so I have sent a couple of emails to Hickman on your list also. Thanking you, Robyn Brocas-Reti (robyn@igrin.co.nz)