Hi everyone I have a success story to share with all of you that shows how persistence and unorthodox methods can pay off. I also want to share my joy of course. As most of you will know (especially Blanche who is always so helpful), my GGG grandfather was William Stenson, born in Coleorton about 1771. Being unable to find his birth and parentage, I started looking at all the other Stensons in the area, hoping to find a connection back to my William. I also started looking at some wills, and one that was mentioned to me by Blanche for a Joseph Stenson looked promising. He mentioned a son William, who appeared to be the oldest because he was mentioned first. I had information on some other members of the family, and if William was the oldest he would have been born at about the right time for my William. Of course, I had no proof or hard evidence, but it was a possibility. Being persistent, I have made a habit of searching Google Books periodically, searching for William Stenson. I have found several references in the past to his involvement in the Leicester and Swannington railway. Last week, I found a new reference, which has me excited. In a book on the Midland Railway (1877), I found this line "Mr Joseph Stenson of Leeds informs us that it was his late uncle, Mr William Stenson, who took the first initiative in this matter" (the Leicester & Swannington railway). Because of my research on other Stensons, I knew I had information on Joseph Stenson of Leeds. I check my information, and he was the grandson of the Joseph Stenson whose will I have. So his uncle William (my William) is the William from the will, and therefore I now have hard evidence that my GGGG Grandfather was Joseph Stenson. (Of course, I have to double check all my information to be certain that what I have is correct.) I also have Joseph`s father, and have some evidence of who his grandfather was also. It is my hope that my success story might inspire others to look at other avenues to smash down their brick walls. Vern in Ontario

Vern, It just shows what persistence and lateral thinking can do in breaking down walls. I'm not trying to advertise here, but I can recommend a very good book entitled "Nits and Bolts" - Family History problem solving through family reconstruction techniques, by Andrew Todd. The techniques suggested are also now made much easier than when this book was first written by the advent of internet search sites such as Ancestry.co.uk. I got my copy from Leicestershire and Rutland Family History Society bookstall, but I'm sure that it is available through other family history groups, or by ordering at any good bookshop. These techniques have enabled me to solve many a problem via a circuitous route, though I still have one or two long standing and almost immovable brick walls remaining. Brian Binns Loughborough -----Original Message----- From: leicestershire-plus-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:leicestershire-plus-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Vern Prescott Sent: 15 July 2008 08:24 To: leicestershire-plus@rootsweb.com Subject: [LEI] William STENSON Hi everyone I have a success story to share with all of you that shows how persistence and unorthodox methods can pay off. I also want to share my joy of course. As most of you will know (especially Blanche who is always so helpful), my GGG grandfather was William Stenson, born in Coleorton about 1771. Being unable to find his birth and parentage, I started looking at all the other Stensons in the area, hoping to find a connection back to my William. I also started looking at some wills, and one that was mentioned to me by Blanche for a Joseph Stenson looked promising. He mentioned a son William, who appeared to be the oldest because he was mentioned first. I had information on some other members of the family, and if William was the oldest he would have been born at about the right time for my William. Of course, I had no proof or hard evidence, but it was a possibility. Being persistent, I have made a habit of searching Google Books periodically, searching for William Stenson. I have found several references in the past to his involvement in the Leicester and Swannington railway. Last week, I found a new reference, which has me excited. In a book on the Midland Railway (1877), I found this line "Mr Joseph Stenson of Leeds informs us that it was his late uncle, Mr William Stenson, who took the first initiative in this matter" (the Leicester & Swannington railway). Because of my research on other Stensons, I knew I had information on Joseph Stenson of Leeds. I check my information, and he was the grandson of the Joseph Stenson whose will I have. So his uncle William (my William) is the William from the will, and therefore I now have hard evidence that my GGGG Grandfather was Joseph Stenson. (Of course, I have to double check all my information to be certain that what I have is correct.) I also have Joseph`s father, and have some evidence of who his grandfather was also. It is my hope that my success story might inspire others to look at other avenues to smash down their brick walls. Vern in Ontario ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to LEICESTERSHIRE-PLUS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message