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I have been reading this thread with interest and have seen the bhs project page. It lists the various stages an excise officer would go through in his career. Before I visit Kew to look at the records I would really like to know if my ancestor who, on his death certificate in 1838, was described as a "clerk in the Excise Office", would be in the records. The bhs list doesn't mention a "clerk" but does mention an "expectant" and "assistant". Maybe the informant didn't know the correct term to use and he was an expectant. Does anyone know if they used clerks who weren't training to become officers ?

His name was Francis Ross and he died aged 37, probably of TB.

Thanks for any thoughts.

I have just purchased an old postcard of Trevone Bay which was sent in 1904.  It says the sender lives in one of the houses in what is now Sandy Lane or certainly that corner.  I am trying to trace her on the 1901 and 1911 census but, strangely, I can't find any Trevone Bay houses on either census.  Can anyone help ?

Thanks.

Many thanks.  That's a pity.  I will add it to my list of things to ask when I go to the Somerset Heritage Centre.

I have a relative, Paige Shire, who farmed 100 acres of farmland at somewhere called "Swiss Hill Estate" on the 1841 census and, presumably the same farm, "Swiss Hill Farm" on the 1851 census - both Buckland St Mary. I was trying to find out where this farm is today, or even if it still exists, and came upon a farm near Buckland St Mary now called "Shires Farm" !  Is this coincidence or was the name of the farm changed to that of my relative ? 

Does anyone have an old map showing where abouts "Swiss Hill Farm" was, as "Shires Farm" has a postcode of TA20 3RB.  I wondered if there was anyone on here who could give me any more information.