Hello one and all - this is my first visit to this mailing group and I wonder if you might be able to help - so the story so far: I am trying to find out more about a William Copeland STRANGE and his immediate family. He was born in 1805 (probably Henley-on-Thames as he was baptised there on 10th January 1806 from Parish Records) and died 3rd October 1875 in Henley (certificated). He was a builder and later an architect and surveyor (Post Office and Lock's Directories 1869 and 1870). He resided in Henley at New Street, now No 52 (1841 census) , Hart Street (1851 census), and is listed as having a Pew Faculty (No 37) in 1834/5 and as paying Henley Rentals 1836/42, He was in London, Holborn 10 Harpur Street, (marriage certificate 22nd November 1860 at St George the Martyr, Queen Square, Holborn and 1861 census). He was back to Henley at least by 1867 and was living on Gravel Hill (birth certificates of a son 15th January 1867 - Arthur and from Directories 1869 and 1870), 55b Bell Street (1871 census) and we also believe No 6 Market Place but have no evidence other than Market Street recorded on one of his son's birth certificates (James - 13th December 1873). We have further details of his marriage (certificated) to Elizabeth POCOCK in 1860 and the names his father (John Strange - builder) her father (William Pocock, carpenter) and of the witnesses (Edward Goodall STRANGE - confirmed to be a brother - and Esther Ann POCOCK - relationship to Elizabeth not known). This was William's second marriage (he was 54 and she was 26!) - the marriage took place in St George the Martyr Church, Holborn but we don't know exactly when he left London other than he was resident at No 10 Harpur Street (an apartment house and still standing and in similar use). When he arrived in London (and in the 1861 census) he was a builder but later (1869) he became a surveyor and architect. Did he have any formal training, was this why he was in London, or did he just develop his skills and then adopted the title? William, was recorded in the 1841 Census Return with his first wife Sarah (maiden name not known), she aged 40 and Charlotte BOND servant aged 13. In the 1851 Census Sarah is identified as coming from Worcestershire (we believe the town to be Pershore) with his nephew Harry COWELL aged 19 and servant Adelaide FREE aged 18. In the 1881 census his widow (Elizabeth) was in the Union Workhouse with a number of her brood, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Gertrude, Fanny and James (he was my great grandfather). We want to find out more about: William's siblings and his father John (I have lots of names but will make this the subject of another posting later), His first wife Sarah, her maiden name and her background, His career development and some of the work he did, Elizabeth and all their offspring, only James and Arthur known about. The following outline my strike a cord with someone, the last two names are not substantiated as existing and are doubted: 1. William b 1862 m 1896 SMALL Mary Ann > London a. Frank b 1898, d 1950, m Eva > Sevenoaks, dsp b. William b 1899, m Mary i. William b 1920, m ? > Aldershot 2. John b 1864 3. Arthur b 15 Jan 1867 m 15 Jam 1867 NEWSHAM Mary Jane > Lancashire a. etc - line known 4. Elizabeth bap 9 Sep 1868, Henley (Parish records) 5. Mary Ann bap 6 Sep 1868, Henley (Parish records) 6. Fanny (Frances?) b 1870, > Reading? 7. Gertrude b 1870 > Egham? 8. James b 1873, d 1955, m 1897 SMALL Ellen (Mary Ann's sister) a - etc = line known 9. Frederick? 10. Caroline?> Orpington? Well I guess that's enough for now - I guess it's a lot more than many ever get on their great-great-grandad. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Mike Strange - 141 Potton Road, Biggleswade, Beds SG18 0ED Tel - 01767-315075 [email protected] Studying STRANGE - Henley, POCOCK - Pangbourne and COPELAND <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>