Well, here we are. The USA, or colloquially America, December 2025. Still no idea other than vague references to England, where the 'roots' of our Sleeper line originate.
Let's back up. Once upon a time in a land far north of here, I began researching my son's paternal Sleeper lineage. It was intriguing to me, as while my husband was contemporary in age with me, his father was older than my grandfather. His father, Harold 'Ray' Sleeper (1896-1972), fought in WWI earning the French Croix de Guerre. Yes, World War ONE. The Great War. My grandfather was eight..
After years of research, brick walls (Dudley 1809-1881, son of Dudley),
and even YDNA testing,
I am still at a loss as how our branch of Sleepers from New Hampshire and Vermont connect to all the documented Sleepers descending from Thomas (+/-1616-1696). Let alone where they came from.
My latest idea is to come at the issue from the other side, England. All research roads seem to point directly to England. Some say Devon. Some say Liverpool. Some say London. Some say Bristol. Whatever. They are all in England... but where in England really did this line come from? Thinking that if the American Sleepers emigrated from England, perhaps I could locate some clusters now living in England and work backwards?
A quick search via FindMyPast for the Sleeper surname in the 1939 Register. Thirty-six entries. That's three six. No added zeros. Wow. That's not households, that's everyone. Head, spouse, children...
Well, okay then. Sleepers left town and country... or did they? These Sleepers in 1939 are mostly located on the south and east side of England, Kent, London, Surry, Essex, Lincolnshire. There's an odd Devon, and Lancashire (one each). Perhaps if I look to connect (or not) these disparate families? Perhaps if I start with the single entries and build back from there?
Et voila! A surname project...
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