Thanks for your assistance to date. Most things are starting to fall into place although the lack of records from 1700's has me struggling to fill in an important gap. I am stuck on two Thomas Witters.
1. Thomas born c. 1720 (bapt. Eccleston / Ormskirk area) who married Mary Halliwell (1724). I have not been able to locate Thomas’ birth details or parents, except that his father was also Thomas and a stone mason.
2. Thomas Witter of North Moor Lane, Halsall may be Thomas, baptised in Hallsall, 1803, the son of Alice Witter OR Thomas, born in 1806, was the son of James Witter (1767) and Jane, descendant of Thomas(c. 1720), OR perhaps neither. This Thomas' wife was Elizabeth. I would like to be able to link this Thomas to the family by finding out exactly who his parents are.
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.