I beg to differ - Christchurch is definitely not within walking distance of Poole. I know because I come from Christchurch. Marie www.ancestral-echoes.com -----Original Message----- From: zgordo@webtv.net [mailto:zgordo@webtv.net] Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 5:24 PM To: ENG-DORSET-LIFE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [DOR-LIFE] CURTIS FAMILY Christchurch: which is within walking distance of Poole., was a very poor Harbour.Poole wasn't, so working the Sea was more lucretive.In Poole Christchurch was a den of Smugglers.Floating into the shallow bay,casks of Brandy Etc.was easy,loaded on Wagons and off to Ringwood for distribution. Newfoundland,was also lucretive,for the poor people of Christchurch.The Cod Fisherman and the Whalers did well In Newfoundland.There was money too be made. Small groups actually settled there,So called fishing rooms. Thomas Cole's website on Dorset-l@rootsweb.com is very helpfull.The 1851 census and other information is readily available. Bristol comes into play quite abit.since Bristol Merchants finance Cabot.Who explored Newfoundland. My family connection start with George Head born in Cheriton,Somerset, abt 1810,.just south of Wincanton,Wincanton was a crossroads.George did military duty in the Royal Artillery where he learned, how to be a Wheelwright."Keeping those Smugglers Wagons Rolling." I have several lines in this area.so I am posting a list of surnames relavant to this area Blatchford,Head,Gillingham,Pitt,Broomfield, I was born in Weymouth myself in 1945. keep on-keeping on-never quit. Roger ==== ENG-DORSET-LIFE Mailing List ==== To unsubscribe from ENG-DORSET-LIFE List mode send a message to ENG-DORSET-LIFE-L-REQUEST@rootsweb.com with just the word unsubscribe in the subject line and message body. ============================== New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for your ancestors at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. Learn more: http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sourceid=14599&ta rgetid=5429