At last I seem to have made some progress with my difficult (common) paternal surname of ROBINSON. I now believe that my 4 x gt grandfather was Thomas ROBINSON a Yeoman who owned Aisdale (Aysdale) Gate Farm 3 miles from Guisborough (I have a copy of his will). Thomas died in 1807, and someone has kindly forwarded a few of the early Robinson baptisms and burials from All Saints Church, Skelton with references to other Robinsons connected to this farm. I have emailed North Yorkshire Record Office in case they may hold early deeds for the farm which was on the site in the 1700s (? not sure how early). However, as it is still a working farm I am not sure at present if the current owners may hold the early deeds. Obviously the early deeds could be of enormous help to me in establishing earlier generations etc - I know that Thomas was a "Yeoman of Skelton" when he married at Eston in 1764. Thomas's son Robert had property at Moorsholme up to his death in 1822. Someone has pointed out that most of the land in and around Guisborough is owned by one of three large(ish) estates: The Zetland Estate, The Skelton and Gilling Estate, and the Gisborough Estate and queried how Aysdale Gate Farm isn't/ wasn't a part of one of these. Naturally I am delighted to have made some progress after a long period of very hard work, and doubly pleased that the farm is apparently still there (although reportedly changed). If anyone has any observations which could be of help in any way regarding the above I would be grateful. Also any pointers to where I can find more information on the agriculture depression (which perhaps could account for Thomas's grandson John leaving for Stockton around 1824/5). Many thanks. Margaret O'Shea (nee Robinson) @ Oxford Yorkshire Surname Interests: ROBINSON COOK (Moorsholme) ARMSTRONG (Moorsholm/Guisborough/Saltburn) WILSON (Ormesby) LOWE CALVERT STEWART (Eston) FAWCETT (originally from Simonburn, Cumbria) LEGG (Brotton) HUTCHINSON (Stockton/Brotton) CUTHBERT (Brotton)