In a message dated 08/03/2005 11:00:07 GMT Standard Time, mavisgg@btinternet.com writes: I have a marriage certificate for ANN BARSTOW and JOHN HODGSON on 13th April 1873, does anyone have access to the parish record film for St. Mary's? I am querying the witnesses given as Maria Barstow and Allen Barstow as I cannot find either of these names amongst the Barstows on any census. I think they may be Maurice and maybe Selina. Hi I don't think that their names would both be wrong. Just because they are not on a census doesn't mean that they didn't exist. What you have to remember with a census is, that it is just a list of people spending the night at that particular address. The enumerator could have missed them or they could have been abroad on holiday. You do not say what makes you believe that they were called something else, but surely there would have been no need to lie. Or perhaps they didn't have any witnesses and these two were asked at the church door if they would witness the marriage and the names were made up. How old were the participants. Is it likely that they were under 21 and needed parental permission. In which case they may have lied about their names, after all the vicar is hardly likely to ask for proof of identification. If you could give the year and place of birth for the bride I can look her up for you. There are many reasons. I hope you find the right one. Best wishes JUDY ELKINGTON _www.elkingtonfamily.com_ (http://www.elklingtonfamily.com/) ELKINGTON-L@rootsweb.com