In a message dated 13/09/2007 02:50:05 GMT Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: It is believed that he was born at Lumley Castle, County Durham in 1793 and that his parents were John Cole and Eliza nee James, who were presumably servants or tenant farmers at the castle. Max: From the IGI (1992 microfiche edition) of Co Durham I see that the only George Ward Cole they list was baptised at Bishopwearmouth in 1796. From the H M Wood transcript (microfiche edition, published by Northfiche) I also see that the entry in Bishopwearmouth parish register reads: 1796 July 20 George Ward, s of John & Eliza Cole, born 15 Nov 1793, Wearmouth From a comparison with other entries around that period, it becomes apparent that "Wearmouth" means that the parents were living in [Biship]Wearmouth in 1796, and not that George Ward Cole had necessarily been born there in 1793, so he could have been born at Lumley Castle. Lumley Castle was, at the time, within the parish of Chester le Street. All baptisms from Chester le Street around that time are also included on the IGI, as are those from almost all local parishes. The main exception is Penshaw, which lies between Chester le Street and Bishopwearmouth! However, we can be reasonably certain that this is indeed your George Ward Cole, especially as that is hardly a common combination of names. This is also one of very few entries around that time where the date of birth is given. Perhaps that is just because the child was aged about 2 1/2 or perhaps it was because he had been born outside the parish. Your next step could well be to have a wider (in time) search made of Bishopwearmouth and Chester le Street registers, seeking siblings. I would recommend using the IGI as a guide, as I did, as to where and when to seek the full details, but as no more than that - a rough guide only. That way you might find the supposed three earlier children and, perhaps more importantly, you might find some later ones baptised during the "Barrington Period", which began on 1 January 1798 and which lasted until 31 December 1812. During that period the children are usually numbered (1st son, 5th daughter, etc) and the names are given of the parishes of which each parent was a native, as well as other details. It could be very useful to you if any such "Barrington baptisms" were to be found. One last comment. Bishopwearmouth parish church is St Michael's, a typical mediaeval Gothic parish church. It is still the main church in the centre of the City of Sunderland today. A few years ago it was given the pretentious new name of "Sunderland Minster". I hope you have found this helpful. Geoff Nicholson