At 02:38 PM 7/09/2006, Connie Wright wrote: >Hello, > This is my first time here. A friend suggested this might help. > I'm looking for Thomas William Booth (or maybe William Thomas > Booth) born about 1770-1780. > I only have family stories to go on. > This is what my 94 year old aunt said: > "Thomas William Booth was a methodist minister and gentleman farmer. Hello Connie Not an easy on, this. There are about 10 Thomas Booth christenings on the IGI around this period for Shropshire, could be any one of them. I am sure that your 94 year old aunt is correct in her story. These stories usually have a great element of truth about them. What to do? Best thing I think is to contact the Methodist folk. If you go to this website: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=links.azname#MethSoc which is a page out of the main directory, you can see what Methodist organizations you can contact. Actually, the Manchester one might be a good idea in which to start with. Could lead to others. We do have, in our State Library here biographical microfiche of Methodist ministers and lay persons, but I am unable to ascertain from the catalogue at present online as to what year they commenced. I suspect it would have been later in the 1800s though, but next trip into the library I could look and see if I can find your Thomas William Booth. Let me know. Cherrio Graham Melbourne Oz