Colin, I have Brooks ancestors too, from a few miles south of Ledbury. I'm not suggesting any potential link. There must be many little streamlets in England. My particular lot spent 11 years in South Wales (producing the first two children) on their way to New Zealand in the 1870s. Wales sticks in the mind and most descendants today, particularly those of the first two children, are surprised to learn they are not - through those people - of Welsh descent. South Wales (burgeoning industry) sucked up an enormous number of people from surrounding counties during the 19th century. Many went on from there to the same industry in Pennsylvania. Mine just set their sights further away than California. In any case might it not be fair to say that most Herefordshire people were, historically, largely of Welsh descent? I mean in terms of DNA research. cheers David On 20 Feb 2008, at 07:46, BrooksGen4@aol.com wrote: > > Patsy, > I have a THOMAS BROOKES who was married on May 14, 1848 to a Lucy > Splain > at St. Peters in Hereford. He is documented as living on St. Owen > street!! His > father is William who worked as the Hereford Jailor. In some American > documents, Thomas has a middle initial "G." Based on a history, the > claim was his > Grandfather was George Brookes who worked as a gamekeeper during > the reign of > King George. > Unfortunately, Thomas left Hereford circa 1850 after his wife > Lucy died. > Lucy died while giving birth to HARRIETT on 23 March 1849 at > Hereford. > Harriett was christened at St. Owens cathedral, Hereford. The 1851 > census has > HARRIETT age 2 living with WILLIAM BROOKES and family in St. John, > Hereford. > When Thomas had more children in California the names were: Mary > Ann > (died young), Elizabeth, Sarah Ann, Thomas, William, Lily May, Rose > May, Mary > Emma , James Robert. > > I used to think that Thomas and George were brothers. Then I found the > marriage certificate , and WILLIAM is absolutely the father of > Thomas. SO could > George the "Gamekeeper" have at least two sons named William and > John, both > living in Hereford practically next door since St. Owen street was > so small, and > those sons gave birth to Thomas and George who as cousins grew up > together in > Hereford. > Given those records, and my information, there really is no > doubt those > two, George and Thomas, are connected. Exactly how is the question. > > I have done a 67-marker DNA test with Family Tree DNA. IF you can > find a > male Brooks on your side, we could possibly make a 100% match to > prove that > connection. That would be awesome. Unfortunately, until we find > other source > material I don't see any other option. Given the lack of specific > Hereford data > available online like deeds, court records, tax record etc, I'm > tapped out on > sources. I could spend a lot of money doing random searches, but I'm > not Bill > Gates. The cost of researching England from America is really > prohibitive. > If you find something worth our money, I'd gladly share. Thomas is > my > direct line and finding his family would mean alot. > > Colin Brooks > Quakertown, PA USA > > P.S> Family legend was we were Welsh. I seriously doubt it, but then > again... that's why we search