Hi all, I have been lurking for quite a while and thought I might post my interest in the FINCHER families of Herefordshire. I am slowly working my way (via LDS films) from the FINCHERs who originated in Avenbury (early 1700's) into the surrounding parishes i.e. Ashperton, Much Cowarne, Whitbourne, Thornbury, Stoke Lacy and Acton Beauchamp (Worcestershire) although the latter appear to predate the Herefordshire families. It appears that they may have come from Acton Beauchamp to Herefordshire. At any rate I am not half way through these parishes as yet and realise there are still a lot more to go. Trying to connect the families is not easy (understatement!!!) and the I.G.I. coverage is poor, even when it claims to cover certain periods it is sometimes only a partial coverage. My questions are: Can anyone tell me if there are indexes available at the Herefordshire Record Office for any of these Parishes? Makes going through these films a lot easier. I have been sent a partial one for Avenbury. Is there an index of Wills pre 1858 available? (What I wouldn't give for a few good Wills!!!) Is anyone else researching these families? I have a list of all FINCHERs in the 1851 census. I have also ordered "Avenbury & the ruined church of St. Mary" which I understand has several references to the FINCHER family. Also sounds like a fascinating book. I have the BVRI (Version 2) and a few more Herefordshire FINCHERs do pop up on this. Any help greatly appreciated, either on where these families came from or went to. Regards, Rhonda Thompson Sydney, Australia Always looking for William FINCHER born ca. 1801 in England, married in Scotland in 1826 and died in Melbourne Australia 1855.