Dear Rita, I will send this to the list as my direct messages to you, including this one) are always returned to me as undeliverable (even when I hit reply!). Please ignore my ramblings of yesterday as I subsequently re-read your previous messages and realised that the John b in 1836 was the wrong one. Today I had a look at the 1901 in Darlington library to find other theatricals who were in the Chester-le-Street area at the same time as Alan's grandparents. I only managed to search three fiche but I did find the following which grabbed me: Frederic Simmons Visitor, Married age 27, Theatrical Agent, worker, born Pembrokeshire, Milford Haven Clara? Simmons, visitor (presumably his wife) Mar, age 28, Actress, born Newcastle. He must be one of the Denvilles - did Alfred have any brothers other than William? Or were there any cousins involved in the companies? This all fits with the story that Alan's grandparents travelled with the Denvilles (although you will have found Alfred in Swansea in the 1901, I assume). Ann