The first record for a Tasker in Hertfordshire, of the 101 listed on the IGI, is John Tasker, who married Elizabeth Hansam on 9 Aug 1564 at All Saints & St John, Hertford. 13 years later a John had sons George and Edward christened on 4 July 1577 at Welwyn. Then in 1581 another John Tasker married Agne(s?) Feltes on 1 November, at St Pauls, Walden.

Back in Hertford, in 1585 Robert Tasker married Agnes Newton on 8 September, again at All Saints & St John. Meanwhile in Hemel Hempstead, Roger Tasker and his wife had their children christened: Sarah and Ann in 1602, John in 1604 and Susanna in 1607.

Over in Hitchin, John Tasker and his wife had children christened at St Marys: Ann (or Avis) in 1597, John in 1605, Matthew on 9 October 1608 (who sadly died on 15 October), Joane in 1611 and William in 1614. Avis (or Ann) Tasker then went on to marry Robert Merriton on 20 June 1619, also in Hitchin.

Finally, for these early families, Thomas Tasker married Elizabeth Barnet on 20 November 1608 at Shenley, a small village north of Borhamwood, with daughters Elizabeth christened on 14 June 1609 and Joane in 1618.

Nearly two centuries later, George Tasker was born in 1833 at Baldock, near Hitchin, Hertfordshire,the son of William Whyers Tasker. George married local girl Ann James on 22 June 1851 before moving to live in London. They were to have 12 children, two of whom emigrated to New Zealand. Find out more at the Birch family website.