Hi Listers, I am looking for any information about the above family from the Leeds and Ripon area. I believe William FENTON to be a coal owner and millionaire, Isabella (nee STEELE) is his wife and Mary his daughter. Mary was born in 1800 and died in 1886 and married Richard YALE in 1819. By the time of the 1841 census Mary and her mother were both widows. Mary was, unfortunately, classed variously as an imbecile, lunatic, idiot and, in some of the documents from her solicitors,. As a person of unsound mind. I would like to find out if Mary was always like this, if not then what made her this way? Are there any records out there that may help me? If the family were rich as I suspect would they feature in any newspapers of the time. Mary was not an ancestor of mine but her story interests me and I would like to find out more. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Regards Paul in not so sunny Bulwell, Nottingham