Hi, For many years I have been trying to solve the mystery of the disappearance of David FOSKETT. He was born in Grandborough and baptised there in 1845, the son of Thomas and Faith. In 1868 he married Elizabeth Mary Howse of Hoggeston and had three daughters: Mary Ann Elizabeth (born 1869), Louisa Jane (born 1871) and Anne Rebecca (born 1873). In 1871 Elizabeth is living/staying in her parents home in Hoggeston with the eldest daughter. (No sign of David) David was received at Aylesbury Gaol on 11 September 1873, having been sentenced to 1 month's imprisonment for the theft of a razor. His residence at the time was given as Newport Pagnall. In 1881 Elizabeth is listed as a widowed servant in Thame, whilst her daughters are living with their maternal grandparents in Hoggeston. (However the "widowed" bit may be untrue, as some households would not employ married servants) In 1891, she is a servant in Aylesbury, but this time stating she is married. In 1901, she is living back in Hoggeston as a servant, again stated as being married. I have traced all three girls in the various census returns. David does not appear anywhere on the 1871, 1881, 1891 or 1901 census. I have also checked army records to see whether he may have enlisted. I have a complete listing of all Foskett's plus variants from the GRO (not FreeBMD) and his death is not recorded anywhere. Any suggestions as to what else I might consider? Regards Sandra Smith (nee Foskett)

Hi Sandra, Just a thought, but have you tried the wills at the National Archives? <www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/wills/default.htm> If he left a will it will (pardon the pun) give you when he died and maybe solve a mystery if he lived separately from his family during later years. Hope this helps, May Lanchbury Perth, Western Australia