Hi everyone I am just starting out and wonder if anyone shares an interest in these names? My great grandparents emigrated to NZ in 1860 from the Forest of Dean. This is what I know. My Hopkins great great grandparents were: Thomas Hopkins (m) Sarah Powel (no other details known) My great grandparents were William Hopkins (m) Sarah Ann Joseph Sarah Powel was a child of Thomas Joseph (m) Ann Cullis William Hopkins was born 8 Mar 1835, Gloucester (I think he may have been born in Lydney). Sarah Powel was born 6 Mar 1837, Lidbrook. Their marriage took place on 31 Mar 1858, St James Church, Bream. An extract from a local NZ history says this of William Hopkins: "Mr Hopkins was born on the 8th March, 1835, in Gloucestershire, England, where his father was a farmer. He was brought up as a coal and iron miner, and came to Lyttelton by the ship Matoaka in 1860. (...) Mr Hopkins was married in 1858, to a daughter of the late Mr T. Joseph of Gloucestershire." The family stories are that he was Welsh (he was at least a part speaker of Welsh) and his wife was Jewish (the name Joseph is consistent with that). At least two sisters (one married to a Fletcher from the Forest of Dean) and a brother Alfred came out to NZ as well. Three of my uncles who served in WW1 tried to locate the family without success even though that was less than 60 years since migration. I would be interested to hear from anyone who is researching this family, and would particularly like to know where the Hopkins family came from in Wales as we are visiting Wales later this year. Thanks John Hopkins ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Snail mail: 39 Bennett Street, Christchurch 8005, AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND Phone: 64 3 352 0434 Fax: 64 3 352 0478 Mob: +64 21 67 27 07