I am researching my ancestors and have done a DNA test which links me to Samuel Brereton (1808-1888) of the parish of Wybunbury, Cheshire. The Breretons' resided primarily in the Stapeley, Bridgmere, Walgherton, Chorlton and Hough areas of the Wybunbury parish. My research to date suggests that the common occupation of my male ancestors was brick layer, brick setter and builder.

Although Samuel (1808-1888) was born in Wybunbury, he moved to Stoke-on-Trent (The Potteries) (as did at least one of his uncles). He was a builder and it seemed that some of his uncles/cousins worked in the pottery industry. One of the settlements was in Packmoor (near Mow Cop), Stoke-on-Trent, where it seemed the famous Wedgwood firm had a base. The other prime settlement was the Bradeley/Smallthorne areas of Stoke-on-Trent. My direct branch primarily resided in the north and east of the city, viz. Burslem, Tunstall and Bradeley.

Samuel towards the end of his life moved closer to his original home. He died in Cheswardine (near Market Drayton), Shropshire which is close to the Cheshire/Shropshire border and within 4-7 miles of Bridgmere.

I suspect that the original settlement of the Breretons' in the parish of Wybunbury came about because the Brereton gentry, baronets etc. were land owners who owned, inter alia, estates in Malpas, Cheshire and Flintshire/Denbighshire, Wales. It seems that Wybunbury was governed by these landlords and it follows that minor members of the Brereton family settled in the Malpas, Acton, Harthill, Bunbury, Nantwich and Wybunbury areas.

I together with certain other Breretons' (search Brereton Tribal Pages, Breretons of Cheshire etc.) are hopeful of finding, as a minimum, a common link between the South Cheshire Breretons' from the above areas.

All information regarding South Cheshire and North Staffordshire Breretons' would be greatly appreciated.

Obviously, I am happy to share my information which is relevant to your research.