Dear All My GG Grandfather Charles SHIPLEY has proved very elusive, so much so that he first appeared on his wedding day on the 7th October 1862 in Crowle Lincolnshire, where he names his father as Gilead SHIPLEY. For many years prior to this date I could find no further record of him [or a Gilead SHIPLEY]. From census returns dated 1871 onwards he gave his birth place as Epworth Lincolnshire C1837. I have subsequently solved a small piece of this puzzle it would appear Charles was the illegitimate son of Mary SHIPLEY and a bastardy order names his father as George GILLION. Mary may have had several other illegitimate children, there are several more bastardy orders for Mary SHIPLEY. SO where was Charles in the 1841, 51 and 61 census returns? Can anyone solve this VERY long standing brick wall. Maria