Dear Paul, That's most useful - many thanks. Here's what I have already: The engineering dynasty was founded in a sense by James Hall Nalder, farmer and amateur engineer, of Home Farm, Alvescot (now called Shill House, I believe). He patented an adjustable corn screen. He had four sons: Thomas (c.1836 to 1899) engineer, William (c1839 to 1903) company secretary, and two other brothers. William's son Edward died in 1968 and was the last Nalder involved with the Challow-based firm established by Thomas and William. The solicitor connection is interesting, as there is a long-established firm of solicitors in Cornwall called Nalders. I must sit down and put the jigsaw together now! Thanks again, Tony -- Tony Hadland www.hadland.net Oxfordshire, England

Dear Tony, > The engineering dynasty was founded in a sense by James Hall Nalder, farmer > and amateur engineer, of Home Farm, Alvescot (now called Shill House, I > believe). He patented an adjustable corn screen. While browsing last night, I found that James Hall Nalder senior was often involved with one of his sons in things like foreign exhbitions, patents, etc. Just as his father seems to have seen himself as a farmer who did a bit of engineering, his sons, from quite an early age, seem to have been associated with some of the incidents of agriculture - the societies and shows, for example - even though they were primarily engineers. Doubtless there were sound business reasons for this alongside an inherited interest. > He had four sons: Thomas > (c.1836 to 1899) engineer, William (c1839 to 1903) company secretary, and > two other brothers. I also found that for a period - from 1870 to 1875, based on the advertising in Jackson's Oxford Journal, James Hall Nalder junior operated an agricultural engineering business too, at Great Haseley. He was living there in 1871, indeed. He acquired this business, since he always referred to it date of foundation (1844) and previous owner (G. Billing). This James seems to have called himself an artist at all other times. > William's son Edward died in 1968 and was the last > Nalder involved with the Challow-based firm established by Thomas and > William. > ... How did the Nalders come to move from Alvescot to Challow? Best wishes Paul -- Paul Betteridge, Leafield, Oxfordshire pbetteridge@pobox.com