Sue I have answered your suggestions for which I thankyou very sincerely . Answers are between " " and in capitals -----Original Message----- From: thompson-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:thompson-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Sue Sent: Sunday, 10 June 2012 8:17 PM To: staffordshire@rootsweb.com; thompson@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [THOMPSON] [STAFFORDSHIRE] FW: FW: THOMPSON of Staffordshire Hi Laurie, With these sort of brickwalls it sometimes helps to take a sideways step. For instance have you checked to see if any of Samuel's likely siblings, or indeed his parents, were also working for the Earl of Bradford on his various estates? "I HAVE SEVERAL SAMUELS BORN 1777 I AND CAN ARGUE THAT EACH ONE IS MY ANCESTOR , NAMELY CUMBRIA--YORKSHIRE--DERBYSHIRE--WARWICKSHIRE AND LONDON " . Also have you checked the Stafford Record Office Site? They are gradually making many of their indexes available online? But also check with them what records they hold for the Weston under Lizard estate itself. You might also need to check with the Shropshire Record Office! Also check with the Estate themselves. I know at Shugborough Hall - not too far distant - they have a fascinating catalogue of photographs of 19th century servants who worked there. Many of these great Estates still hold their records and will employ their own archivists. Always enclose return postage! "AN AUSTRALIAN COUSIN MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND THE STAFFORD RECORDS OFFICE STAFF BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO HELP HIM WHEN HE VISITED THEM. WILL CHECK THE SHROPSHIRE OFFICE . A DESCENDANT FROM A GRANDDAUGHTER HAD ACCESS TO THE EARL`S RECORDS AND FOUND A COPY OF A PHOTO OF Lucy , SAMUEL`S DAUGHTER WHEN SHE WAS A MAID BUT NO RECORD OF SAMUEL`S FATHER WORKING THERE " Also periodically check back over resources you may have checked a long time ago. Things can be missed that with your current knowledge may suddenly jump out at you. " I AM DOING THIS ALL THE TIME AND THINGS DO JUMP OUT BUT ONLY STRENGHENS THE COULD BE`S POSSIBILITIES BUT NOTHING DEFINATE' . One last piece of advice, look out for 'creative' spellings of the surname you are seeking. The most common-place name can be altered almost beyond present day recognition! " I HAVE USED VARIOUS CREATIVE SPELLINGS BUT ALL MY POSSIBILITIES SPELL THOMPSON" Best of luck Sue Lote nee DERRY Names of Interest: DERRY, LOTE, RUSSELL, BLOORE, GLOVER, JUKES, BLAKEMORE, JOHNSON, DORSETT, SEAGER, V(B)ALANCE, HAYWARD, WEBSTER - All in and around the Home of the BROWNHILLS SAXON HOARD: Cannock, Ogley Hay, Norton Canes, Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Stonnall, Burntwood, Longdon, Hammerwich, Edial, Lichfield. SUE I HAVE BRICKWALLS IN TEMPLEMORE DERRY FOR JOHN MCCORKELL BORN 1803 AND MAYO WINIFRED JANE NEALIS BORN APPROX 1830