I have a John Smith who married a Jane Smith but with so many Smiths around then it is not so surprising that two Smiths would marry each other at sometime. But a McMullen marrying a McMullen might not be something that would happen very often. It does sound as though Sarah used her maiden name at her second marriage, but you can't be sure that she hadn't first married another McMullen. Regards Jenny DeAngelis Spain > Ive just received a cert showing Sarah McMullen a 41 year old widows > marriage. Her dad is named as Henry McMullen. > This was in 1843 and she was Irish. > Do you think Sarah used - and also signed- her maiden name or had she > maybe > been a McMullen who married a McMullen. > The first marriage will more than likely have been somewhere in Ireland so > i > cant go down that route.