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Some information you might find interesting. I believe the Stretch family name has a long association with Cheshire, where my own immediate paternal line begins. Years ago, in an old book of surnames, I read a brief background into the name. It comes from Old English word which means 'strong' or 'violent'. No comment. The book also went a way to suggest that Stretch might be traced back to some time between the 11th and 12th centuries, when a 'Hamon Strecce' was mentioned on assize rolls of Chester. Without a paper trail to prove a connection, though, any connection to him is unprovable guesswork for anyone. As far back as I can be sure (only into the mid-late 19th century), my paternal G-F had direct connections in the Vale Royal, Northwich, Whitegate area of Cheshire, where he was born - one of several children. I believe one branch of the family also lived in Leek, Staffordshire, not many miles from there. It was a member of that branch who was a Quaker and went to the USA. A Thomas Stretch has a connection with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was a clockmaker of some note. There's also a possible (not probable, yet) connection in the northwest USA, from the time of Captain John Wilkes' exploration of the area from the sea in the 1840's. Stretch Island, Washington, was named for one of his crew, Samuel Stretch. There are Stretches in Ireland as well as England, and the different branches to be found anywhere between Australia and America might come from either place. I'd like to find out more of the history of the name, and especially about the Quaker Stretches. If anyone believes there's a connection between my own and your families, please get in touch. I manage a group for my immediate family on a well known web yodel.... and you know what the name is....