I was very sorry to hear that the well-known BREW researcher, J.A. (Alfred) Brew died last year. Several years ago he sent bound volumes of his beautifully hand-written charts to the MM and the FHS Libraries, and the rest of his research was left last year to the MM.

Alfred did most of his research in the MM before the indexes we have today were widely available (I remember when the first IGI fiche arrived at the London Soc. of Genealogists in the mid 1970s - not so long ago!), and his charts were based on original land records, as well as parish registers, presentments, marriage contracts, wills, and censuses, etc. He compiled his own pre-1850 indexes to parish registers and wills, which he added to his charts.

He was very responsive to any enquiries, and went out of his way to help, often photocopying and posting his charts to anyone who asked. If he had made an error he was happy to correct it, and loved hearing about everyone's research.

As well as his numerous BREW charts, from most parishes in the IOM, as well as of Liverpool, of Berlin, of Africa, of Ireland, in USA & Canada - to name a few, he also compiled IOM ones for Joughin, for Faragher, for Lace and Leece, for Mylchreest, Stephen, and for dozens of others.

Most of the Brew charts have been summarised by Steve Brew on his website: brew.clients.ch/BrewONS.htm

The bound volume of beautifully hand-written charts, called 'Some Manx Pedigrees', is at MS 09671 in the MM Library, and the rest of his research which was left to the MM is at reference MS 11810.

Sue