On Thu, 19 Apr 2001 10:42:55 -0400, you wrote: >Hi, > >I have William CROOK shown on the census as being born at Devizes, Wilts. He would have been born about 1798. I have searched all the Parishes in Devizes without any luck. > >Can someone suggest a possible Parish where he may have been baptized?? > >Thanks, Kay Hi Kay Have you tried non-conformist registers for Devizes that still exist? Failing that I would also suggest that you download the excellent and free program Parish Locator from: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~gdl/parfind.htm This will enable you to devise (ooops sorry :-) !) a strategy for searching the parish registers with in a certain radius of Devizes eg 5 miles etc. Don't forget that people would often answer with the nearest town or well known place in the census rather than go into detail about some difficult to spell village or hamlet ie I would tell you I live on Portland rather than explain that I actually live in a place called Fortuneswell or Fortunes Well :-) It could also be that his mother may not have come from Devizes and may have had him baptised him in her own parish, especially if she had gone home to Mum to have the baby. Something which William may not have been aware of unless his Mum had told him? Regards Paul Isle of Portland