For Rita, I saw your message about John Latimer a while ago and then came across the following so I thought I would post it to the list. I'm reading a book called 'Dan Leno and the Limehouse Golem' by Peter Ackroyd which is a novel (I think!) but based upon some real events in London about 1880. On p178 it says 'He (Dan) knew that Gertie Latimer was about to put on Maria Marten, or the Murder in the Red Barn as her new horror at the Bell in Limehouse...'. Don't think this helps at all with John Latimer's origins but it might indicate that the family were in London later on. Incidentally, Maria Marten was one of the plays my husband's grandmother (Ellen Sophia Roberts/Wallett), performed in, probably when she was with the Denville company. Ann

Got a mystery guy in my family tree and wondered if anyone on the list knew of him. James SPRY-PALMER is the name in family folklore. He was a musician & composer of "popular" tunes and I have some sheet music entitled "Tell Me You Are Mine" copyright J Spry-Palmer, 17 George St, London NW1. No date. Its also marked Regis Trademark SPRY-PAL 389899 I cannot find this man on either the 1881 or 1901 census. James had a relationship with Selina BINDING of Horfield, Bristol (born 1865) which resulted in the birth of a daughter Mary Ann, in about 1896. Date uncertain as the child's birth was not registered. In the 1901 census Selina was still living in as a servant and little Mary Ann (later known as May) was with a foster mother, but later Selina and James set up home together but didn't marry, and were still in the Bristol area in the early 1950's. Any suggestions welcomed Marion in Wiltshire