Hey Clair,I am still adding tidbits of info to our tree. Still can't get back any further on James Oates or on his wife Sarah Thornton. Please email me directly at landonconnie@gmail.com

I found many Oates families, including James Oates in the West Riding area of Halifax, England. James and Sarah were married at St John the Baptist Church there. I found many births and marriages of Oates' in the parish records. It/
's likely they were all related. Can anyone out there sort them out?