I think I need the advice of more experienced researchers. I've been checking the parish registers of Netherseal for my SMITHs of Donisthorpe and found a marriage entry for Sarah SMITH, of Donisthorpe, spinster, (father George SMITH, labourer), who married Charles STRETTON in 1837. Although I wasn't aware of a Sarah in the family, all else fits - father's name and occupation, and the witnesses: George SMITH and Frances SMITH, are both children of George SMITH. This Sarah looks like a previously unknown sibling. Here is where the problem arises: I've found Sarah in the 1861 and 1881 Census and both times her birthplace is listed as Ashby LEI, and her birth date is about 1813. I think that this date might be out by a couple of years - The would-be parents of this Sarah married in 1805 near Market Bosworth and had at least 3 children between 1806 and 1811 before settling in Donisthorpe in 1812 and having 10 more children. If Sarah is one of theirs, she must have been before 1811. There is a gap (1807-1811) in the births of the known children, so its still possible that she is a sibling. I've searched the IGI for a baptism of a Sarah SMITH whose father is George and found nothing in Leicestershire in the time frame. I think that I should probably try to find her baptism to confirm/refute the theory. Another thing that troubles me about this is that Sarah and Charles had a daughter Mary a few months before their marriage. In the 1841 census, Mary is living in Netherseal with a couple who I cannot link to the family. I suppose the main question is does it seem likely that she is a sibling or is this just co-incidence? And, if I do follow this up, where is Ashby? Could someone please check the 1841, 51 or 71 Census to see if she stated a different birthplace or date? Thanks Sandra

>And, if I do follow this up, where is Ashby? > There are, according to "Genie" 4 Ashbys in Leicestershire. The I.G.I. confuses them sometimes. I have found records for Ashby Folville attributed to other Ashbys including "Ashby Flamville", (which should be Aston Flamville?) Ashby de la Zouch - to the W of county nr DBY border - approx 5k (4 miles) NE of Donisthorpe Ashby Magna - approx 10k S of City of Leicester alongside modern M1 Ashby Parva - ditto - on W side of M1 Ashby Folville - approx 10k NE of City of Leicester towards Melton Mowbray looked locations up on http://www.streetmap.co.uk/ Sounds as if Ashby de la Zouch is the nearest , a lovely market town! http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LEI/AshbydelaZouch/index.html Anne PalingSHEFFIELD, U.K.

Images sent off list of a different, (more likely?), Charles and Sarah Stretton. Marianne -----Original Message----- From: leicestershire-plus-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:leicestershire-plus-bounces@rootsweb.com]On Behalf Of Sandra Lewis Sent: 19 November 2007 01:57 To: LEICESTERSHIRE-PLUS@rootsweb.com Subject: [LEI] Ashby LEI I think I need the advice of more experienced researchers. I've been checking the parish registers of Netherseal for my SMITHs of Donisthorpe and found a marriage entry for Sarah SMITH, of Donisthorpe, spinster, (father George SMITH, labourer), who married Charles STRETTON in 1837. Although I wasn't aware of a Sarah in the family, all else fits - father's name and occupation, and the witnesses: George SMITH and Frances SMITH, are both children of George SMITH. This Sarah looks like a previously unknown sibling. Here is where the problem arises: I've found Sarah in the 1861 and 1881 Census and both times her birthplace is listed as Ashby LEI, and her birth date is about 1813. I think that this date might be out by a couple of years - The would-be parents of this Sarah married in 1805 near Market Bosworth and had at least 3 children between 1806 and 1811 before settling in Donisthorpe in 1812 and having 10 more children. If Sarah is one of theirs, she must have been before 1811. There is a gap (1807-1811) in the births of the known children, so its still possible that she is a sibling. I've searched the IGI for a baptism of a Sarah SMITH whose father is George and found nothing in Leicestershire in the time frame. I think that I should probably try to find her baptism to confirm/refute the theory. Another thing that troubles me about this is that Sarah and Charles had a daughter Mary a few months before their marriage. In the 1841 census, Mary is living in Netherseal with a couple who I cannot link to the family. I suppose the main question is does it seem likely that she is a sibling or is this just co-incidence? And, if I do follow this up, where is Ashby? Could someone please check the 1841, 51 or 71 Census to see if she stated a different birthplace or date? Thanks Sandra ------------------------------- 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