Hi Elizabeth, As a diversion, there is a "personality" in Australia called Peter Russell-Clarke (hyphentated). Has a website at http://www.peterrussellclarke.com.au Also has a wikipedia entry, but no detail on family history so don't know if theres's any Notts connection. Len Makin, Trafalgar, Australia Elizabeth Pugh wrote: >The middle name that has had me wondering and unable to figure out ever >since I started my hobby of genealogy is Russell. Not an unusual or >uncommon name I know, but for the life of me I cannot find any reason for it >in my family. >Edward Russell CLARKE was born in 1832 and his parents were Robert CLARKE of >Wisbech, Cambs and Elizabeth ASHWELL from Nottingham.

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