I have been chasing all the families of my 'pedigree' over the years, and, as both my parents are dead I have questionned my maternal and paternal aunts about their sides. It never occurred to me to question them about the 'opposite' side though! Yesterday, I phoned my elderly aunt on my father's side to wish her 'happy new year' and I apologized for being no further forward with the Lincs and Herts Woods/Alexander/Dilks side of the family as I had been concentrating on the Delaras of late (my mother's mother's mother's family) She surprised me by saying she had known them quite well and visited them often and that they (my great great grandparents) had owned a yellow and grey parrot! Not astounding news I know, and no help with facts and figures, but a colourful detail to add to the personal pictures I would like to build up. I won't be so narrow minded in my questionning in future. Rosi Rosi __________________________________ Yahoo! for Good - Make a difference this year. http://brand.yahoo.com/cybergivingweek2005/