Dobby, that is some strong work. Thank you! It certainly throws the preponderance of the evidence towards showing that the second (we presume) Mrs. William Hirst was in fact John North's widow and Ruth Broadbent's mother. Now the question remains, Which John North? I wish there were not so many John Norths abiding in Kirkheaton parish at the same time!
Elizabeth's age at the time of her second marriage places her at nearly the same age as the John North baptized in 1739. But the timing of her second marriage rather suggests (I did not say "proves"!
) that she was remarrying after the 1783 death of her first husband.
I wonder if there is a monumental inscription for the John North baptized in 1739. I shall search the pages sent to me years ago by the staff at one of the WY libraries or archives.
Are those published indexes you consult? If so, I really should purchase copies. I also think the idea the gentleman interested in Kirkheaton churchyard has about placing Legh Tolson's book on CD is fantastic. I'd certainly support it.
I cannot thank you enough for your help. I shall weigh the evidence very carefully before drawing any real conclusions. But my original hypothesis has yet to be disproved!
What an interesting people the Kirkheaton folk were/are...especially in Dalton.
Gratefully,
Taddy.
