The girls are in bed so I thought I'd do this because if I sit down I'll fall asleep as well! Three days into a 10 day visit and I'm exhausted already....
Ok
There are several people around the world researching James Butcher. Most of them have him as
being b 1776ish to James Buitcher and Elizabeth Lewis in West Hanney, Berkshire but his baptism record doesn't actually record the father's name
From Family Search
name:James Butcher
baptism/christening date: 21 Apr 1776
baptism/christening place: WEST HANNEY,BERKSHIRE,ENGLAND
mother's name: Elizabeth Butcher
I have always had doubts about this and am beginning to favour this one -
Name: James Butcher
Baptism/Christening Date: 15 Mar 1767
Baptism/Christening Place: Hagbourne, Berkshire, England
Birth Date:
Father's Name: Lawrence Butcher
Mother's Name: Frances
James daughter by his first marriage was baptised Fanny, (after his mother perhaps) and there is a burial in Thatcham in abt 1815 of a Frances Butcher who would be about the right age to be James snr's mother. The CD with the Berks Burial Index on is in the bedroom where the girls are sleeping so I can't check my facts
Also several of James' children by his second marriage have the same names as some of the other children of Lawrence and Frances. None of which is conclusive of course.
Has anyone any bright ideas where I can go next?