Several people on this list may be interested to know that the oldest house in Wallasey is coming up for auction later this month - see http://url.ie/8274 According to the newspaper article the property is known locally as Bird's House after the builder, William BIRD. However, my youngest brother, who has researched the origins of this dwelling thoroughly over a period of many years, has a rather different theory. In 1682 a Thomas SHERLOCK bequeathed his messuage and tenement in Poulton-cum-Secum to his kinsman, William BIRD the elder. In the 1663 subsidy roll a Thomas SHERLOCK declared two hearths at Poulton-cum-Secum, which my brother firmly believes to have been in the dwelling now known as Bird's House. On 30 June 1628 a Thomas SHERLOCK married Margaret BIRD in St Hilary's church in Wallasey. My brother is convinced that Bird's House in Wallasey was in fact built in 1627 by the above Thomas' father - also a Thomas SHERLOCK - who married Alicia EVANSON on 20 June 1598 in St Nicholas church in Burton, ownership of the property passing into the hands of the BIRD family in 1682 only by marriage and the absence of any SHERLOCK progeny. Don't suppose we'll ever know for sure. :-( Best regards Gordon