Hi List I wonder if someone can come up with a bright idea for me! Richard SANDS was born in Prees in 1854 and married Sarah Ann MAYER Q2 1886 - she came from Silverdale, STS. He appears with his family in subsequent censuses, in 1901 being at Fauls, Prees RG13/2554/54/2 where he is a Carter (general), own account. Richard and Sarah had four sons and three daughters, one of whom died as a baby. The two elder sons John Thomas and Richard emigrated to the USA before WW1. The third, Harry, served in the 4th Rifle Brigade. The youngest, Allen, was a boy in the Royal Navy at the outbreak; he was at the Battle of the Falklands in December 1914. In October 1916 he "ran" in Montreal, and four weeks later enlisted in the Canadian army under a false name. He became a gunner in the Canadian Field Artillery and was killed at the Second Battle of Passchendaele in October 1917 aged 19. The CWGC describes him as "Son of Sarah Ann Sands, of 55 Church Hill, Ironbridge, Salop, England". The Voters List shows that Harry lived there with his mother after the war until her death in 1928; he moved when he married in 1929 and his sister Gertrude lived there until 1933, so I know that I have the right family. My problem is that I cannot find a death registered for Richard (senior). I have searched on line, and have also waded through the GRO index on microfiche. It would appear likely that he died before 1917 although there could be some other reason for him not being named as next of kin on the CWGC Debt of Honour Register. I have no idea why Sarah moved to Ironbridge as there seems to be no prior connection with that part of the county. The possibilities would appear to be Death not registered Death registered but not indexed Death occurred outside UK He would have been too old for military service. Did he also emigrate to the USA with JT and Richard junior and leave his wife and other children behind? I very much doubt this because I have had contact John Thomas' grandson and he would surely have mentioned that. Any suggestions gratefully received! TIA John (in Herefordshire where the sun is finally trying to beak through).