My grandfathers name was William Lilly but it seems as though it was changed on his second marriage to Lilley, however there has been some spelling changes back and forward over time. My grandfather came to Australia in the late 19th Century but I have traced his ancestry back to Richard Lilly(b1727) and Flower Lilly (b1728). This family lived in Dorset England at least from the early 18th Century and most likely for several hundred years before, they were farmers and agricultural workers and lived within a short distance of Blanford Forum a market town; in places such as Child Okeford, East Orchard, Fontmell Magna and Shaftesbury. It is possible the ancestors of the Lilly Family in the United States came from this area and I would be interested to see if there are any connections, best wishes William Lilley.
