In a message dated 24/05/2009 10:24:02 GMT Daylight Time, pgreenwood84@tiscali.co.uk writes: Hi I had a look on the 1851 census How is this don't no if it is a connection but had to let you know Samuel Parker b 1799 Newcastle Lead Merchant Isabella wife b 1807 Cape of Good Hope Children All born Newcastle These and the other Parker family you mention both sound as though they are of the Parkers who, with partners, ran the Elswick Lead Works, based around the famous Shot Tower (demolished about 1970).. molten lead was poured in a thin stream from the top of the tower, falling into a bath of cold water. That way it formed "shot", suitable for use in shotgun cartridges etc. The works had many names but there was usually a Parker in there somewhere. The tower was a well-known local landmark in its day. Geoff Nicholson