Hello List My 2 x g-grandfather was Richard HARPER, bapt. 5 Jan 1777, Portsea. He joined the Royal Navy and, at the time of his marriage, was a "Mariner belonging to HMS Chichester". He married Sophia LILLYWHITE, of that Parish, 2 May 1799 at St.Mary's, Portsea. Some time after his marriage he settled ashore working as a Ropemaker. Apart from a short spell in London, he and Sophia spent most of their lives in the Portsmouth area. They, and their children, were in Alverstoke in 1841 and 51. The couple died in Alverstoke in (I think) 1860. Any chance of getting further back into Richard HARPER's ancestry? Or is that wishful thinking? Best wishes Frank Early South Africa