Jan, Hi from one branch of the Australian Duck Tree. I'm wondering if your records might just have a James (Jas) Duck b. 1767/8 (between July 1767 and July 1768) who seems to have dissapeared from your area? Our James' located and confirmed records commence with his marriage in Notts in Nov 1791, prior to that he simply has not been located. While most simply disregard any possible link with areas away from Notthamingshire, one of his sons, James Samuel Duck, known as Samuel, went to Bridgewater as assistant minister to the mariners mission around 1839 and he remained there until his death in the March Quarter 1873, both he and his wife were Radford, Nottingham born. The youngest son went first to Calais, France before returning to England then migrating to Australia in 1848.
Regards
Jeff