Judith.... I've not gone into this in detail, but I think the proper spelling is "Pondyards". It was originally called Verulam House, the ownership of which in the 18th century is tortuous to unravel. Googling Pondyards House will take you to the parish of St. Michael and (excuse the pun) deeper waters. Searching for postcode AL3 6RD on www.streetmap.co.uk will take you to a modern business park called Pondyards, which may be the correct location, about a mile and a half north west of the town centre. A possible alternative might be the lake adjoining Verulamium Park, near the town centre, as this fits the description given in the historical records of Verulam House, but I think it less likely. Mike the Googling Map Man -------------------------------------------------- From: "Judith White" <judithwhite@blueyonder.co.uk> Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 9:52 AM To: <eng-hertfordshire@rootsweb.com> Subject: [HRT] The Ponyards House? > My 3 times great grandfather, Thomas Holinshead, was born in "The Ponyards > House" on 10 Aug 1777. He was baptised at St Michael's, St Albans, the > following month. According to the 1841 census, Thomas was born in > Hertfordshire, but he died in 1848 so I don't know exactly where in > Hertfordshire he was born. Has anyone ever come across "The Ponyards > House"? > I have no idea where this is - it may refer to a place or to a family. > Many thanks, > Judith