Hello, Carolyn I haven't managed to get back that far but I think it unlikely. My g/grandfather Joseph TOWNEND was stated in various census entries to have been born in Ashton-under-Lyne (Lancashire) and on his marriage certificate in Nottingham in 1840 his father is stated to have been John TOWNEND a glazier (deceased). Despite enquiries posted on the A-U-L surname list and following up suggestions made in reply, I have been unable to get any further back. It is a more common name in Yorkshire than in Notts. Thanks for your interest and good luck with your researches John -----Original Message----- From: Charles Sidebottom Sent: Monday, January 20, 2014 3:32 PM To: 'John Townend' Subject: RE: [NTT] unusual middle names Hi, John, This is slightly off topic for the information you were requesting, but I have fixated on the TOWNEND name. Might you have an Ellen Townend in your tree? I have an Ellen Townend who married William PADLY (Padley) in Greasley St. Mary's Church on 10 Dec 1728. If you also have Ellen, I would be interested in finding who her parents were, if you know. Thanks, Carolyn in frigid Minnesota, USA -----Original Message----- From: nottsgen-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:nottsgen-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of John Townend Sent: Monday, January 20, 2014 5:50 AM To: nottsgen@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [NTT] unusual middle names I have two middle names in my trees which, whilst not unusual, are unexplained - I have not been able to find a family connection to either, possibly because they derive from pre-Census and civil registration days. (My great grandfather and grandfather spent most of their lives in Nottingham): Potter My great-grandfather gave two of his children the middle name Potter - Sarah P TOWNEND (1842-1896) and William P TOWNEND (1845-1934). William and his brother Joseph Henry emigrated to New Zealand where one of the latter's children was given the name - Marjorie P TOWNEND (1888- ?). Palethorpe My great-grandfather gave the middle name Palethorpe to his daughter Mary P TOWNEND (1843-?) who married Charles GIBBONS in 1862. Strangely, when I acquired the New Zealand certificate for the second marriage of Joseph Henry TOWNEND in 1900, I found that his mother was wrongly stated to be Elizabeth Townend "Surname or family name at birth - Palethorpe". She was actually Elizabeth Smith HARVEY (?1813-1884). Any thoughts or information would be welcome John Townend Notts Surname List http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~hughw/notts.html ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to NOTTSGEN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message