Listers On 5 March 1848, my ggg father, Joseph Michael SMITH, married Eliza Jane KIRTLEY in Monkwearmouth Parish Church. On 24 December 1849, in the same church, he married Ann CRAWFORD (my ggg mother), with the same minister and the same witnesses, and still as a bachelor - every detail, except the number, the date, the bride (and her father), is the same (including the handwriting). I can't see the death of Eliza Jane SMITH in the intervening period: could it be that the first marriage was annulled, hence his continued bachelor status and the absence of her death? If so, what would the grounds, procedure and documentation for the annulment be? Would she have reverted to her maiden name? I find it difficult to believe that all three of the minister and the witnesses could have overlooked the groom's earlier marriage, less than two years before - though I suppose the minister could have mistranscribed his condition on the second certificate. All theories, explanations etc gratefully received! Mike Mellor Wellington, NZ