Hello Malcolm, Apologies, I was rather simplistic in saying 'It's all on FreeBMD', I should have added 'and suggest you have a look at the 1881 and 1891 census information on www.ancestry.com or similar sites'. Adding on to the information from Stan. In the 1881 census, Isabella C DODD is living with her daughter Emma L.D. DODD at 9 Bramwell Street, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland. Husband a Master Mariner not at home. In the 1891 census, the full family are living at 15 Villier Street, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland. Albert Joseph Hunter Dodd is 8 years old. Husband Joseph H. DODD is a Pawn Broker. As you said 'I have been told that my relative, Albert Joseph Hunter Dodd (b 1882), was educated at the Sunderland Orphan Asylum which he entered in 1893 or 95, his widowed mother living at 44 Sea View Cottages, Grangetown, Sunderland. So Joseph H DODD may have died 1891-1893. In FreeBMD we have Joseph Hunter DODD, died Q4 1891 in Sunderland Registration District, age 45. Possibly he occupation of Pawn Broker was because he was unfit for sea? The death certificate may tell you. In 1901 census, Isabella C. DODD is living at 44 Sea View, Ryhope, with children Rosie 14 [Isabella] and Norman 12. Isabella is a widowed Charwoman. so wouldn't be able to support any more children, Albert would be 18 in 1901. That's how I did it Good hunting Rod At 08:01 07/08/2010, Malcolm Campbell wrote: >Hi Rod, > >As a newbie, I'm what I did wrong. I went to FreeBMD, under search, then >under birth info. I entered his surname his names, all districts, all >counties,dates Mar 1881 to Mar 1883, find. I got the message, "Sorry, we >found no matches" (with-out quotes).I did not get his mothers name or >anything else. Thanks. > >Regards, Malcolm Campbell, London, Ontario, Canada RSVP. Please support the St.George Foundation: www.adecentlife.org