Hello again. I have found all the above-mentioned families in all the censuses and have had quite a bit of luck with marriages. My friend who is the direct relative has family oral evidence too from the Bridgwater area. However, there is no contact with any living relatives from parallel lines, so that is what I am hoping for. I have found in my own family research that fifth cousins can have masses of helpful stuff from their lines, totally unkown to me! I will try the online Parish Clerk's site, so thank you. As for the JAMES surname: Hannah JAMES married Samuel Gooding POLES in the July quarter of 1876 in Bridgwater. She sometimes calls herself Annie. She was born about 1852 and was living for the 1901 census, by which time the family have 8 children. It is Samuel POLES' sister who marries into the main VALENTINE line. Many thanks for two responses so far. Stephanie