Tim, thanks for the reply and the information. To say this is exciting is an understatement.

The 1841 UK census shows Isaac as 10 and Mary as 9. Do the GRO references you cite provide specific birth dates?

I have a copy from the Hatherleigh parish records showing Isaac and Mary both being baptized 14 Oct 1841, so we agree on the concurrence of those events. Do you have birth locations for them? It was no doubt somewhere nearby.

I assumed Charles' father's name might be John, consistent with what I've been told was the convention of naming first son after father's father and second son after mother's father. The names you provided bear out the former. Mary's name is, of course, new to me. As Charles' second son was Philip, could we expect to find a Philip Balkwill somewhere?

If your assumptions are correct, Charles was born 5-6 years earlier than several other US researchers placed it. Most have estimated 1815-1817. Do I assume he was born in Shebbear? Do you have a parish record that pinpoints an exact baptism date and location?

The news of a possible younger brother to Charles is also a revelation.

I've not accessed GRO records or bought an FMP membership. I was hoping to develop some information via this forum before taking on membership expenses. What do you advise as sources likely to produce meaningful results?

I'm grateful in advance for your advice and any additional information. Hopefully this forum exchange will be seen and added to by others who have knowledge of this Harvey family.

Bruce