Good afternoon from Toronto - I have been researching my Hales family and this has taken me from the London area to the Portsmouth area, where I need to break down the brickwall I have run into. Following is the only information I have and this was provided to me by some kind people from a micro film of St.Mary's Church, Portsea: December 13 1835 - Baptism of Samuel, son of Charles and Emma Hayles of LANDPORT - Charles was a Cordwainer by Trade. I'm reasonably certain that this is "my" Samuel Hales. It's supported by the fact that on Samuel's London marriage in 1857, he shows Charles, shoemaker, as his father - this fits the profile above. Unfortunately, the marriage certificate only indicates "of full age" for Samuel ... no help here! He also shows Portsmouth as his birthplace on various documents and censuses. Samuel died in 1892 and his age was shown as 57 - placing his birth in 1835. The only other clue on the Baptisimal certificate is that Charles Hayles was living in Landport and, as there are a lot of churches in the Portsea area, I would appreciate any help or suggestions as to which Church qould be in the Landport area. Based on Samuel's baptism in I checked out the IGI and did find the following St.Mary's baptism: Charles Wheeler Hayles - Born August 10, 1806 - Father: Charles, Mother: Mary. The only marriage I can find is for Charles Hayles and Emma Osborne in London at St.Pancras Old Church on Sept 05 1831 and this is a strong possibility, given that the Hales familuy did eventually settle in that area. I have already contacted the London Archives office to see if the marriage document is available. Unfortunately, I have not been able to definitely locate Charles Hayles and I need to find his birth date or even find anothere marriage between Charles Hayles and Emma. If anybody can offer suggestions and or any other guidance and help, it would be very much appreciated. Thank you very much. Regards. Joyce in a hot and sunny Toronto, Canada