Hello Caroline Thank you for your offer of a fresh set of eyes, in your e mail of 21/10/09. Sorry I have been a while replying, a few technical difficulties! I did post some details re this query a while ago and had some useful replies, also your suggestions were a help. Here are the details I have: On Oct 9 1899 a Thomas Graham married Emily Louisa Mardle at St Marks Walworth in Newington, London, he stated he was 20, she 18. On the certificate his father was named as John Graham. It is the Graham family I am researching. Thomas said he was living at 60 King and Queen Street, his profession was a general dealer, as was his father's. In later life Thomas also used the names Thomas Edward and just Edward in certificates relating to his children. Thomas and Emily named their first daughter Catherine, she was born very quickly after they married, in 1900. In the 1901 census Thomas is living in Bermondsey, a dealer in Public House Measures, he stated he was 20 and from Bermondsey. Searching the GRO registers has not found a birth record for him between 1879 and 1881 that can be linked to a father John. One record for a Thomas registered in 1879 was a dead end as the child died within three months. The closest link I could find on the 1891 census was for St. Olave, London, Rotherhithe St Johns Horsleydown, 6 Brewer St. There is a John Graham, head mar, 30 Bootmaker, Employed from Dublin. Wife Catherine 26 Bermondsey, Thomas son 9 Bermondsey, son William 7 Bermondsey, son James 2 Bermondsey, son John 3 months Bermondsey. In the 1881 census the couple is at 90 Grange Walk, St Olave Southwark. John is head, married 22 Bootmaker, now from Whitechapel Middx. Catherine wife mar 18 Bermondsey, Kitty MccCarty Lodger 60 Trotter Vendor Ireland. In the 1901 census I have found a Catherine Graham head, mar, Charwoman Bermondsey, with daughter Catherine 7 of Newington and son John 10 also Newington. John, the father is not mentioned. I have searched for a marriage for John and Catherine, without success, but as you say, it could have fallen through the net. However I cannot find registrations for the children either, listers suggested the couple never married so they were registered under her maiden name perhaps. As a last resort I was looking through parish registers but so far have not been successful in the latest on Ancestry. I would appreciate your comments. With thanks Carole