Hi val Thanks for responding the guy I am looking for is my gt/gt/gt grandfather JOHN HURST (not an easy name to tie down in Bolton) I have him in Bacup in 1851 and 1861 on census and his death in bacup 1867 . But prior to this I cannot locate his marriage (his wife Nancy came from Sunderland) I cannot find record of his daughter Margaret born Heywood 1833 or the birth of my gt,gt grandfather in Beswick in 1838 there are a few Thomas,s in Manchester around this time but not him.(Thomas separated from his wife around 1871 and is also unfindable ) I have checked countless times over the last 15 or so years including I.G.I but to no avail . I have been unable to find the family in 1841. any help or guidance gratefully accepted Keith (Bury)