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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In a message dated 2/19/2008 5:01:32 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, roger.witchell@virgin.net writes: Hi Polly, I noted you had an interest in BROOKES. Do not know if you have come across: LUCY MARIA BROOKES b. Jun. qua. 1849 Heref. I have found Lucy Maria & family on the 1851 census but have had little luck with 1861/71. In 1872 Lucy Maria was in Monmouth. 1851 St Owen's St.. GEO. BROOKES 47 Furniture Broker NK Herefs. ANN 30......................... HUNTINGDON Children all b. Heref. JAMES 6 LUCY MARIA 1 SARAH ANN 3m two others. IGI- Parents JOHN and ANN BROOKES LUCY MARIA BROOKES 25 Oct 1849 St Peter's Herefs. SARAH ANN BROOKES 29 Oct 1851 St Peter's Herefs. IGI has a JOHN BROOKES m. ANN CLARKE @ BREINTON 6 NOV 1848......this poss ruling out JAMES b.1845 approx.. Hereford BMD: CANNOT find JAMES BROOKES as CLARKE or BROOKES . George Brookes/father of Lucy approx 1804 Herefs: IGI has a Geo. Brookes 6 Jan 1804 Linton by Ross Samuel & Hannah.......but poss other Geo. Brookes around! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MONMOUTH BMD: LUCY MARIA BROOKES m. HENRY SIMMONS 1872 qua. 11a 35. LUCY MARIA SIMMONS d. Dec. qua. 1897 aged 49. HENRY SIMMONS..... d. Dec. qua. 1899 aged 51. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do not know if you or any other members have come across these Brookes in your research and would be grateful if you have. Kind regards, Patsy ---- ENG-HEREFORD Mailing List ---- A genealogy and local history list covering the County of Hereford ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-HEREFORD-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)