Hi Carol You wrote: > I'm Carol from the Pacific Northwest of U.S. close to Canada. My interest is with the surname CURWEN, living in the Blackpool area. > I have traced back as far as > > Robert CURWEN born~1821 > wife > Isabella MILLER-CURWEN born ~1820 > > On 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871 Census these children are listed at various times, but it's hard for me to believe they are all from the same two parents. Plus there are two James'. The names Robert and Isabella remain constant. > > James b.~1839 > Henry b.~1840 (this is my great grandfather) > Margaret b.~1843 > William b.~1846 > Anna b.~1847 > Ellen b. ~1850 > Mary b. ~1855 > John b. ~1857 > Agnes b. ~1860 > James b.~1863 > > So, I'm looking to go in both directions in time. Are there any descendents currently living in the Blackpool area? > Also, any information of parentage of Robert or Isabella. If available, the marriage cert of Robert and Isabella will give you the fathers' names and locations. This entry from FreeBMD looks like a possibility: Surname First name(s) District Vol Page Marriages Sep 1838 BRADE Mary Fylde 21 207 COLLEY Sarah Fylde 21 207 COWEL Betty Fylde 21 207 * CURRAN Robert Fylde 21 207 Gregson John Fylde 21 207 * Miller Isabella Fylde 21 207 SLATER William Fylde 21 207 WALSH Richard Fylde 21 207 Not sure why it's hard to believe all the children are from the same parents -- Isabella would have been around 19 at the birth of her first child and around 43 at the birth of her last, which doesn't seem extraordinary -- but you could always obtain birth certs to confirm the parents. As for two James, they may be cousins. It's also possible they are Robert and Isabella's, but that one died and the next baby was given the same name. There are a few James that died before 1863 in the same area. Not much help, but I hope this has at least given you a little food for thought. Best wishes, Lynne