That's an interesting idea John. This family has been very elusive and it just gets more so. What is interesting to me however - and again, it could all be fabrication - is that the census records for John are pretty consistent on when he was born - sometime between 1834 and 1836. I can't imagine he fibbed about that for decades. I guess it's possible. It's funny because I have other relatives that were born out of wedlock and they owned it, but I suppose it's different in every family. I'll keep searching and I know this one will be top of my list when I finally get to England and can search locally.

I can't thank everyone enough for all of your insights and information. My family predominately ended up in the Sheffield/Rotherham area so if there is every anything I an do to help one of you, please just ask. I'm always willing to share anything I have. Jackie

I do - father was William; mother Mary (formerly Rhodes). William was a stone Mason.

Morning Jackie,

I was having another look at my tree last night.....

Came up with this idea......

Looking at the NBI.....

I could only find two Joseph Law's who were old enough to have fathered a child 1834-1836.

Joseph Law aged 54 buried at St Paul's in 1837 (DOB 1783?)
Joseph Law aged 45 buried Ecclesfield in 1845 (DOB 1800?)

Its a pity no occupations given.

fingers crossed something jumps out for both of us with the "LAW" line.

Elaine.

Jackie - just a thought. I had plasterers in my family and of course they needed something to fall back on if the weather was too bad for building work, or if trade was slack, and so they sometimes worked in the rolling mills. Is it possible that your slater might have worked in the cloth industry just as a sideline?

Heths