Sorry if this appears a little vague, but I'm trying to piece the movements of a line of my ancestors with the surname Howlett.

My Gt Gt Grandmother, Margaret Fanny Howlett appears on the 1861 census in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England and is living with her Grandparents (& Gt Grandfather).

Her place of birth is stated as St Louis, North America in all the census records up to & including 1901 (I haven't checked 1911 yet, coming to Ancestry soon).

Her marriage certificate states that her Father was John Howlett, occupation Watchmaker.

I have received an e-mail from another "cousin" today stating that the perceived wisdom is that Margaret's mother was Harriet Letheby. Margaret's Father died in America, and Margaret & her Brother William, moved back to England to live with their Grandparents.

Margaret's Mother then married Charles Hall (I guess in America) and they had a child before the marriage, which was known by the surname Howlett.

If you recognise anything in this rambling tale, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Thanks for your time,

Ian (Plymouth, Devon, UK)