
Thanks everyone. So it looks like Caroline parnell may be the one. Just to be sure i will just get one of the childrens birth certificates. My robert brown(e) also definately had father robert. And the cordwainer connection could also be a clue. They also moved to rossendale which is or was the shoemaking area of the northwest. Rumour had it that these Parnell's , or maybe Brown(e) were of flemish gypsy extraction, but from this i see no sign. Mentioned is a connection also to gem(jem) mace, the boxer . But perhaps everyone wants to find that connection if they live around Norfolk?
I have robert and caroline definately living in bacup, spotland in 1881, so at least that rules out that Caroline Read.
thanks again.
frankie b