My 2x Gt.grandfather was WILLIAM LEATHAM - born circa 1808/09 and he lived and worked as a cordwainer in Dudley, Worcestershire. It was here he also raised his family, and they were virtually the only ones of that name in the whole county for some 40 odd years. Although he appears on several censuses [1841-1871] he put "Not known" when it came to his place of birth. He married Elizabeth LEECH at West Bromwich, Staffordshire in 1827, however the record erroneously gives his name as LATHAM. After 12 years I am no closer to tracing his origins. The only vague hint I have is that his son GEORGE JOSIAH b 1846 became a lay clerk at York Cathedral, and later at Durham. Other children were MARYANN b1829; GEORGE UNDERHILL b1832; ELIZABETH UNDERHILL b1834; WILLIAM b 1837; SARAH b 1839; RACHEL b 1841; LOUISA CATHERINE b 1848, and ELLEN b 1851. ANY help in making a connection would be greatly appreciated, I would dearly love this fruitless search to bear a crop. Keith Lloyd [ex Kidderminster, Worcs.] Adelaide. Sth. Australia Main family names:- GROOM. LLOYD. OWEN. TART. - Shrops/Staffs. DUDLEY. GREENFIELD. LEATHAM. LEECH. PEARSON. SILVERS. UNDERHILL. - Staffs/Worcs. OSBALDESTON. Anywhere in the Midlands.