Hi, I am new to the list and am specifically searching for information on my gt.gt.gt. grandfather Richard LEAK who was born circa 1782 in Clapham, Yorkshire. According to the parish registers of St. Mary's, Lancaster, he married Elizabeth Croasdale there in September 1808.  Subsequent census information give his place of birth as Clapham, Yorkshire.  I have been unable to find a baptism for him on-line and would be interested in hearing from anyone with information or connections. Jean Spencer From over the Pennines

On 15 Mar 2010 at 12:34, JEAN SPENCER wrote: > I am new to the list and am specifically searching for information on > my gt.gt.gt. grandfather Richard LEAK who was born circa 1782 in > Clapham, Yorkshire. > > According to the parish registers of St. Mary's, Lancaster, he married > Elizabeth Croasdale there in September 1808.  Subsequent census > information give his place of birth as Clapham, Yorkshire.  I have > been unable to find a baptism for him on-line and would be interested > in hearing from anyone with information or connections. > Pardon me for asking, Jean, but do the Lancaster registers specifically state he was of the parish of Clapham, Yorkshire? Presumably they must, otherwise can you be sure you have the right man? The IGI has a Richard Leak baptised at Bentham (High and Low Bentham are fairly close to Clapham) on 29 Mar 1778, son of John and Mary Leak, and another Richard Leak baptised at Giggleswick (again, not that far away) on 17 Mar 1782, son of Margaret Leak, no father given so presumably illegitimate. You cannot rely too much on ages in the early censuses, especially of people born that long before civil registration came in in 1837. Very often they didn't know exactly how old they were of where they'd been born! -- Roy Stockdill Genealogical researcher, writer & lecturer Newbies' Guide to Genealogy & Family History: www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." OSCAR WILDE

Hi Jean, There are over twenty LEAKS on the 1851 Bentham Registrars District. There is no Richard b. abt. 1782 only one b. 1837 (Yks Westhouse), son of Thomas b. 1811, LAN Wittington. I note that some of the siblings of the above Richard were b. in LANCS, Docker & Dalton. Some of the LEAKS were neighbours of my TEMPEST, if you find a link I can send you some digipics of the dwellings. Bentham is quite close to Clapham, although none of the listed LEAKS have this recorded as their birthplace, if you don't have these details I would be happy to send them if you wish. Regards Barrie Sharples North Yorkshire N.B. There are 8 LEECH, all b. Clapham, plus 4 LEACH 1 b. LAN Preston, 1 b. LAN Hawkshead rest b. either Slaidburn or Thorton-in-Lonsdale.