Hi Eunice What does the certificate give as the father's name That will be the best guide to which was her name at birth THere are several possibilities including her parents marrying after her birth Another possibility is that they were living together and she took on the Brown name at the time Bob On Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:48:37 +0100, Eunice Cubbage <eunice@cubbage.plus.com> wrote: > I wonder if I can ask for listers' interpretation of a surname on > a 1967 marriage certificate : > > The groom's name is "Brown", he is a widower, aged 62. > The brides' name is "Mary Brown" formerly known as "Mary Smith". She is > a spinster, aged 51. > > I know that this couple had many children together, the first in 1936 > and the last in 1957. > > Is it likely that the bride changed her name by Deed Poll or another > official route (is there one?), or did she just go by the name of Brown > informally ? > > The marriage took place in a Register Office. > > I would appreciate opinions..... > > Eunice