I am trying to find out about William Webster born 1799 somewhere around Stevenage or Hitchin. I know that by 1830 he was living in Waltham Abbey where he was a farmer, miller, corn and flour merchant, and ran barges on the River Lea up to London. (For the conveyance of oats, barley, etc.). He lived in Waltham Abbey for the rest of his (long) life. I know quite a lot now about his life in Waltham Abbey but have hit a bit of a brick wall finding out about his origins and earlier generations. The 1851 census says he was born in Chapel Foot which I believe is a few miles south of Hitchin on the B656. In 1861 his birthplace is given as Ancey (also Herts), and 1871 as W. Hitchin. In 1881 it is Hertford, but appears struck out with Walkern inserted underneath. Does anyone know of a place named Ancey? The closest I can find is Anstey near Buntingford. He had a sister Mary Webster, born about 1805, who married Thomas Pallett, parish clerk in Datchworth. I think that sits quite well with a family living in the Codicote/Hitchin area. She is in the 1841 census but unfortunately died before 1851 which would have given her place of birth. Pallett is shown as a widower in that census, youngest child Julia Pallett being 3 years. Julia is staying with her uncle in Waltham Abbey in the 1861 census. I hope there is enough there to maybe connect with someone else's research. If not, perhaps someone might know how best I could proceed trying to find some Websters around 1800 in Hertfordshire. Local research is possible as I live in the area. Thanks, Simon.