Peter, I wish that I could provide a summary - but I'm no expert in civil administration either. Wikipedia gives a fairly comprehensive account of the formation of both ancient and modern Civil Parishes in England here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_parishes_in_England Boundary changes occur for any number of reasons but they will always be political. The bottom line, I would suggest, is that it's all to do with the size of the population in the areas at the time and the distribution of available monies to service their needs - whether its roads, education, health, poor relief, etc. Hence the need for censuses. And accurate civil registration. Huge administrative changes took place in the 19thC in England because of population movement (Industrial Revolution) and boundary change was occurring all over the shop. >From these Repton and Burton-on-Trent records on Genuki it seems that minor boundary changes occurred in 1880 and quite a few more in 1937. Genuki has: << 1.3.1880 a) Lost three detached parts of the parish of Repton, including the Scaddaws, Southward, and Ticknall Village (which became part of the parish of Ticknall on 1.3.1880) to Ashby de la Zouch registration district. Population transferred 140 in 1881. b) Lost another detached part of the parish of Repton, including Daniel Hayes Farm (which became part of the parish of Smisby on 1.3.1880) to Ashby de la Zouch registration district. Population transferred 5 in 1881. 1.1.1937 (i) Lost the parishes of Ash, Barton Blount, Bearwardcote, Bretby, Burnaston, Caldwell, Castle Gresley, Catton, Church Broughton, Church Gresley, Coton in the Elms, Dalbury Lees, Drakelow, Egginton, Etwall, Findern, Foremark, Foston & Scropton, Hatton, Hilton, Hoon, Ingleby, Linton, Lullington, Marston on Dove, Mickleover, Newton Solney, Osleston & Thurvaston, Radbourne, Repton, Rosliston, Stanton & Newhall, Sutton on the Hill, Swadlincote, Trusley, Twyford & Stenson, Walton upon Trent, and Willington, to Repton registration district. Population transferred 38441 in 1931. 1.1.1937 (created) Gained the parishes of Ash, Barton Blount, Bearwardcote, Bretby, Burnaston, Caldwell, Castle Gresley, Catton, Church Broughton, Church Gresley, Coton in the Elms, Dalbury Lees, Drakelow, Egginton, Etwall, Findern, Foremark, Foston & Scropton, Hatton, Hilton, Hoon, Ingleby, Linton, Lullington, Marston on Dove, Mickleover, Newton Solney, Osleston & Thurvaston, Radbourne, Repton, Rosliston, Stanton & Newhall, Sutton on the Hill, Swadlincote, Trusley, Twyford & Stenson, Walton upon Trent, and Willington, from Burton upon Trent registration district. Population transferred 38441 in 1931. >> These movements appear contradictory but are complicated by the fact that while some ground within a parish is gained, and other ground is lost, the original parish names will still be used - but not always. People don't like new names on the whole - try talking to Yorkshire folk about Humberside and Rutland/Leicestershire folk about unitary authorities! The reasons for the changes will be found in the minutes of council meetings and (possibly) newspaper reports. (Long days' journey into night!) Don't know whether this is any help at all, Peter. But someone else might have a better answer. Andy, if you're reading this, you could always contact Repton Parish Council directly and ask which authority was answerable to Repton in whatever period your interested in, but do be very specific with dates and parishes. They just might give you a full history with reasons. Again, good luck. If you have success let us know. Ruth