Chris Hill of Ilkley, Yorkshire asks: I am not sure whether this is too much to ask, but is there any evidence that William Frederick Fearn was born in either Ware or Bishops Stortford  in about 1830-1833? If he was, his parents would have been George Fearn and Mary Carpenter.

Without further information on your sources, etc., there is always a danger of giving a misleading reply - see Right Name, Wrong Body. However the 1881 census CD clearly shows that most people with the surname Fearn living in Hertfordshire in 1881 originated from Bishops Stortford. In particular the following is possibly your unmarried William Frederick Fearn, who was living in Bishops Stortford with his brother. Clearly, if the evidence you have confirms a ten year older brother George you probably have the right man.

Dwelling: South St Anchor Public House
Census Place: Bishop Stortford, Hertford, England
Source: FHL Film 1341342 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 1406 Folio 96 Page 51

George FEARN	47	Bp Stortford	Head	Innkeeper
Mary FEARN	70	Bp Stortford	Mother	Housekeeper
William FEARN	37	Bp Stortford	Brother	Postman
Marian JOHNSON	26	Loughton, Essex	Serv	Barmaid
John JOHNSON	28	Loughton, Essex	Lodger	Haycarter
William KITCHENER	55	Bp Stortford	Serv	Ostler (Inn)
David NEWMAN	52	Clavering, Essex	Lodger	General Lab

If you can add to the information given above tell me.

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