Having found several returns for the Gummer surname in the Bristol Mercury in the 19th century from the British Library newspapers online, I traced Horace Gummer back three generations to a Robert Gummer who married Mary Stone at Allington, Bridport on 17th June 1762. This was via the Dorset Parish Records held by Ancestry and The Genealogist and in each occasion the marriage is shown as being held at the Independent Meeting House; it also indicate that Robert was from Lopen, one of the hundreds under South Petherton. Having searched the www.southpethertoninformation.org.uk website there is some indication that some of these records may be missing.

Has anyone else had similar problems in looking for similar records for this area but found an alternative source? If so this may enable me to link to my main family tree that I have been researching for many years.

Thanks