Dear All I am throwing in this problem in the hope that listers may be able to help/advise. I am researching my husband's family - Smiths - clearly the easiest name about which to find information ... particularly, I am trying to find the date of death of his gt gt grandfather. Please forgive the length of this message; I've not yet learnt the brevity of expression of experienced listers. My husband's gt gt grandfather was William Harrison Smith born c 1831 Birmingham to John Smith (born c1806 Radnorshire, Wales) and Sarah (former surname unknown, born c1806 Wednesbury). William married Sarah Rose on 16 June 1851 at the Parish Church (St Mary) Handsworth. On the mc they are recorded as being of full age. In the 1861 census William H Smith, zinc worker aged 30, is residing with his family at 69 High Street, Aston. The family members include: Sarah, wife, 38 born Birmingham (the age is incorrect, and in other censuses Sarah is recorded as being born in Stratford on Avon)) Henry, son, 9, born Birmingham Thomas, son, 4, born Birmingham Samuel, son, 2, born Birmingham (Samuel Frederick, born 12 January 1859. My husband's gt grandfather. William is recorded on the bc as zinc worker master) Also at the house were boarders James Wearham, 23, painter, Matilda Wearham, 24, his wife, and six month old Emily Wearham. William and Sarah also had a daughter, Eliza Harrison Smith, born 18 August 1853, who must have been away from home in 1861 (she appears in later census records). In the 1871 census, Thomas and Samuel are both at the Gem Street Industrial School. In the archives it says that Thomas was detained in March 1868 for stealing; father dead 3 years; mother Sarah No.1 Court 7 house 13 High St Birmingham, washerwoman. Samuel was detained in October 1869, charged with theft. "Father dead Sarah Smith the mother a widow of good character resides at 7 House 13 Court High St Birmingham". I have tried to find a record of William's death, working back from Thomas' detention and the mention that his father had been dead 3 years. I started out checking 1865 death records and then went to 1864 death records (fom the BMD site). I've also checked out the 1866 death records which include ages. I've been concentrating on deaths recorded in Aston, given the family's residential history, but have also included Birmingham. So far I've bought 16 death certificates, none of which seem to be the right one (I'll post the details in a separate email in case they are of use to anyone) and have just now ordered the final two on my list - William Smith June 1865 Aston 6d 145 and September 1865 Aston 6d 214. Can anyone direct me in my search? (I would also like to find out when William's wife Sarah died). Thanks and cheers Tam Brisbane, Oz