Roger Dowling (roger @t washingtondowling.com) asked: Can you please find out anything about the parents of James Cakebread who, according to his Birth Certificate, was born in Bishops Stortford on 22 September 1844 and whose father was Thomas Cakebread, a wheelwright. His mother was Esther (formerly Corbett) and they lived at Furneaux Pelham at the time of the birth. My wife (who is a descendent of the Cakebreads) is wondering if a visit to Hertfordshire might be worthwhile to trace other information relating to the Cakebread family. Can you advise us of the best sources to visit and whether it is necessary to book in advance (for example to reserve a microfilm reader)?

The 1882 Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire lists Thomas Cakebread as a shopkeeper at East End, Furneaux Pelham. The 1881 census index shows him to be a 60 year old wheelwright born at Bishops Stortford and living at Clay Chimnies, Furneaux Pelham. His wife was Ester (69 born Barkway, Herts) and he had a 30 year old son, John (born Furneaux Pelham), who was a grocer.

I have posted a new topic Visiting Hertfordshire to look for Ancestors that contains information about planning for a visit to England.

Page relocated April 2005