Hi Gang, I am also responding to Geoffro's request to reintroduce ourselves. And, from the outset, I would point out that I can spell, I just can't tipe. :) My name is Linda Barraclough, and I live in what you would call a small village (one main crossroad, pub on one corner, store on the other, closed down smithy on another) in country Victoria, Australia. I pretend to be a historian/publisher, while spending too much time doing other things. My main lines go back to Kingswood via Wotton-Under-Edge, with a little branchlet in Hawkesbury (SARGEANT/GOWEN) around 1800. Other lines around there (and Wickwar / Cam) are VAISEY, MILSOM, HABLE, WICKS, BALLARD, HALE and MILLARD. By the way - we have always talked about the "VAISEY nose", which is long, fine and pointed. Just seen a photo of Hannah VAISEY nee BALLARD. It is obviously the BALLARD nose. Adrian - do you have a similar occurence???? Anyway, in 1839, the WICKS and VAISEY families, and some of Geoffro's THOMPSONS (cannot remember if there is a P in there), boarded the "Bussorah Merchant" and went to New South Wales. They were supposed to be joining another branch of the family, as yet unfound. (Ignore previous references to HAMS and Mary Ann Sargeant - wrong family!). And the MILSON/MILSOM name (or similar) turns up there as well. One day it will all fall into place Cheers Linda