Hi List, I've been searching for a disappearing relative in the 19th century in Bolton, all the census records say he was born in Bolton (Halliwell) in the mid 1830's. People on the list have been giving me enormous help (thanks again, Anne) but we seem to be drawing a blank at the moment. I'm trying to come up with a new angle of attack and have an idea, but I don't know how likely my idea is and I was hoping someone on the list might know, please. I've discovered that the missing relative (James Hulme) who married Elizabeth Kay on 2nd August 1862 was married in a catholic church (St. Maries (sic) Chapel) and I'm wondering how likely it is that he was a catholic and whether that would account for why I can't find his birth or his marriage, or those of his child in the IGI, even though I know the dates of both marriages and the child's birth? Specific questions are;- If a couple are married in a catholic church, how likely is it that both are catholic, or that only the wife was? (I've no idea what the rules are now or were then) If James was born in Halliwell somewhen in the 1830's and was a catholic, where would he have been baptised? (It can't be St Mary's (Maries) as that was only built in 1847.) Where would catholic records for Bolton for this period be held? Ideally, does anyone know if copies or transcripts are available on CD or microfiche, as I'm in the south of England? I'm sorry if these are stupid questions, but I know nothing about this period either what Bolton was like then or what the religious politics were. I'm very keen to trace this person, as he's my direct ancestor, and I'm hoping that the catholic marriage might answer some of the nagging questions as to why I can't find his birth. Thanks for any suggestions. Pete Hulme