Many thanks to all who have welcomed me to the list, and your kind offers of help.I do have one mystery which someone might be able to help me solve. Just as a bit of background, which might be of general interest (I hope!) the problem goes back to the late 1800's. My great grandmother Jane Lancaster b. Fleetwood 1849 married William Joseph Dent b. 1848 in Preston - he was the son of William Dent b.1812, who was the landlord of the New Bridge Inn on South Meadow Lane, Preston (I think it is called the Continental now? Jane & William were married in Feb 1870 at St.James Preston, and Jane gave birth to Emilie who was christened in June 1870 at St.John's Preston and thus had been several months pregnant at the time of the marriage. The next daughter- Elizabeth (my grandmother) was born down in London on Holborn Hill at the Black Bull Inn (which features in Dickens' Martin Chuzzlwit); she was christened down there in 1872. After this, Jane and William returned to Preston leaving Emilie to be brought up by her aunt (William's sister - also called Emily) - I presume or suspect that this was because of the shame back then of having been in the situation of having to get married. Shortly after this William died in Preston at his brothers house on Christchurch Street, having caught pneumonia - this was in August 1873. Two months later Jane gave birth to her third daughter Sarah Josephine Dent - who was christened at St.Johns Preston. This gives us a very sad picture - Jane widowed at 24, having had to give up one daughter, ans stuggle to bring up two others alone in Preston. In 1881, she shows up on the 1881 census living at 31 South Meadow Road, working as a dressmaker with Elizabeth aged 9, and Sarah aged 7. The difference between the lives of sisters Emilie and Elizabeth could not have been more different - My grandmother, Elizabeth went to work in the mills aged 12, and grew up to marry George Sanderson, and live in the Lodge in Avenham Park, whilst Emilie met and married the famous music hall actor Bransby Williams, and live a live of considerable luxury. They did keep in touch though, and Emilie visited Preston regularly. Finally, we come to last main query - what happened to the third sister - Sarah? I was totally unaware of her existence until I started my research. My mother had never mentioned her, and my older cousin had never heard mention of her. If anyone could cast any light on this I would be delighted. Perhaps she would show up on the 1891 census, or later. My only other possibility would be that she married, or died quite young. I feel that she might show up on the registers of St. Johns as a marriage or a burial. I hope that I have explained my problem succinctly, and not bored you all too much! Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks Philip Hood Nottingham