Jean,

I'm so glad I emailed in my question - because I'm actually getting answers to so many more. Just one more question. John Thomas Costain is missing from your list of John (Leadminer)'s children and although I know his birthday was 30th June, and that he was born about 1877 or 8, I haven't made that trip to IOM yet to check the year. As I'm descended from JT I really should get his dates right!

Also, can anyone tell me where Cloughbane or Claghbane actually is? I had been told that some of the family lived at Ballakilpherick and Ballafesson. Is it near either of these?

I have failed entirely to find a map of Colby which shows it - and drove up past Ballak. last year - but realised that I should have done some homework first.

Morag