Gee, Andy, thanks!! :) I do so hope that Josh could NOT be Joseph, there's enough on the plate with this! I've sent for the parish register now, so maybe a pattern of naming will emerge. I also need the register to check on the accuracy of IGI transcribed dates. It would appear from the IGI that within the same Josa. Barker family are two births just 4 months apart, so something's wrong - or there are indeed three families. >>IMHO it could be either - it depends on the priest - can you establish any pattern amongst other recordings. I hate these abbreviations. It gets annoying too when they resort to mock Latin so you don't know even if Johannes is Jonathan or John! >>Couldn't Josh also be Joseph? >>Sorry to be the bearer of bad news! At least if they are at different times in 1807 you may be able to establish that there are 2 families. Happy hunting. Maggie