thanks to everyone who replied on this subject. I've thought about it some more and there could be another reason why she called herself widowed. I'll paint the picture as I'm currently aware of it. I'll just use the year rather than exact dates for ease. In 1825, George Parsons who was aboard HMS ?? married Elizabeth childs at St Marys, Portsea. so far, I have only been able to find 2 children, Elizabeth b1832/d1832, and Sarah Jane b1835, both girls born in fareham. In 1843, Elizabeth had another daughter, Rhoda, the father being George Allberry and Elizabeth's surname was Parsons on Rhoda's birth certificate. rhoda was chr with the surname Aubrey. Elizabeth had a son James in 1846, surname spelled as Aldbury, and this time Elizabeth's surname matched George's. James was chr with the surname Aubrey. So it would appear that George and Elizabeth were married between 1843 and 1846, although there's not a sign of a marriage anywhere. Neither is there a sign of George Parsons' death, could he have been lost at sea, presumed dead? Did Elizabeth simply take on George's surname as she couldn't marry him because she couldn't prove her husband was dead? In 1847 another son is born, Henry, surname spelled Aubery, and he was to become my wife's great grandfather. In 1851 the family name appears as Allbray on the census for Fareham, and George is alive and well working as a labourer. In 1858 Henry was chr at St Johns, Forton, gosport with the surname Albury. his father George is recorded as a labourer from Fareham, with no mention of him being deceased. There appears to be almost a year's discrpancy with regards Henry's date of birth, the chr details saying Dec 4 1848, and Dec 17 1847 on his birth certificate. In 1861 Elizabeth shows up at Gosport with the surname of williams, and she is recorded as a widow. All 3 children, Rhoda, James and Henry also have the Williams surname. there is no record yet found of a marriage between an Elizabeth Childs/Parsons/Albray (or variant) and someone by the name of Williams, although on her death certificate in 1887, Elizabeth is recorded as the widow of the late Genge Williams. I can't find any trace on him either! In 1868 Rhoda married henry Hawkins, and her father is recorded as George Albray, again no mention of him being deceased. In 1871 Henry married Charlotte Harvey, and this is the first time that George albray is recorded as deceased. From 1843 through to 1858, george was always recorded as a labourer, but on Henry's marriage certificate he was recorded as a seaman. I've thought about the possiblity of George Parsons and George albray being the same person, and even maybe Genge Williams, but, if that is the case, why would Rhoda's birth certificate have her parents as George Allberry and Elizabeth Parsons? Did george albray just disappear off the scene between 1858 and 1861, and Elizabeth decide to change her surname for some reason, and if so who on earth is Genge Williams? did the widow comment refer to George Parsons, not george albray? So many questions, and yet, so far, not a single answer. If anyone has picked up any possible senarios after reading this, I'd love to hear from them, before I totally lose my mind! lol Kind regards to everyone, Jon -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.12/75 - Release Date: 8/17/05