I would like to thank all the people who responded to my query about the name OXTOBY. You have given me much food for thought!!! First off, it was very interesting that Ed Harrison mentioned about a Richard Oxtaby and family in Brantford Ontario. When my gggrandmother Elizabeth Wright aged 9 and her family emigrated to North America in 1870, they went to Winchester, Illinois. Shortly afterwards, they went to Brantford Ontario. I even have a photo of Elizabeth who looks to be about 13 or so.On the photo is inscribed "S Park Artist", "Brantford Ontario" Perhaps, they went there because family (Oxtaby) were there??? By the late 1870's they were in Essex County Ontario (Windsor area) Denny, again I think you for pointing out the surname in certain areas of Lincolnshire. Worth doing research there. Susan, it is great news to see that a Robert Oxtoby married an Eliza Wright from Barkston. But it is not clear whether or not she was my gggrandfather John Wright's sister. The family believed that John's sister Eliza had never married and that she and another unmarried sister Ann ran a boarding house in a resort area in the south of England. Also family folklore told of John being the only boy with 8 sisters. So, did Robert Oxtoby marry John's sister or another Eliza Wright from Barkston? I need to sort that out. Speaking of sorting out, Pam Downes, you pointed out the same complications that I have run into trying to sort out the parents and births of the WRIGHTs of Barkston. What I do know is that my John's father was also a John Wright and he married an Elizabeth Bartram. Both men were carpenters. I do appreciate your research and providing links for me to pursue. Thank you again for all the interest and help. I have a couple of very good leads to follow and reserach. Violet