Firstly - apologies for such a long posting. *James Davis [1]* married Sarah Hodges in 1835; I believe the witnesses to be Sarah's sister and a friend/neighbour. The couple appear on the 1841 census living in Bliss Gate, Ribbesford - James is shown as a 30 year old farmer; their 3 children are John, Susannah, and William. The family are living in Red Ditch, Ribbesford in 1851 when James, aged 48, is now an agricultural labourer, born in Bewdley - children are William, James and Ann. *James Davis [2]* married Sarah Bray in 1842; James states that his father was John Davis, a labourer - James was able to sign the register. Their witnesses were Sarah's sister and another sister's husband. The children shown were William, Thomas and Mary Ann. James' occupation was shown as a labourer. The parish registers record the christenings of the following children born to James and Sarah Davis: 1. 31 July 1836 - John, living Bliss Gate - father a publican 2. 4 Feb 1838 - Susannah, living Bliss Gate - father a publican. Susannah died January 1845. [Kidderminster RD] 3. 17 Nov 1839 - William, living Gittings - father a farmer. [Cleobury Mortimer RD] 4. 20 Feb 1842 - James, living Bliss Gate - father a farmer. [Kidderminster RD]. 5. 4 June 1843 - William, living Green Way - father a labourer. [Cleobury Mortimer RD]. 6. 10 Nov 1844 - Ann, living Red Ditch - father a labourer. Ann died in 1844. [Kidderminster RD]. 7. 4 Dec 1844 - Thomas, living Green Way - father a labourer. [Cleobury Mortimer RD]. 8. 31 Jan 1847 - Mary Ann, living Latchetts, Heightington - father a labourer. [Cleobury Mortimer RD]. 9. 15 Mar 1847 - Mary, living Red Ditch - father a labourer. Mary died 2 weeks later. [Kidderminster RD]. 10.21 Sep 1851 - Sarah, living Red Ditch - father a labourer. Sarah died in 1856. [Kidderminster RD]. I think that children numbered 5, 7 and 8 belong to James [2]; the remainder to James [1]. A Sarah Davis died in June 1855, aged 40 years; her maiden name is not recorded on her death certificate, just that she was the wife of James Davis an Agricultural Labourer. I am almost sure that she was the wife of James Davis [1] as the address shown in the parish registers is Red Ditch. Her husband registered the death and did not sign his name. In 1861 "my" *James Davis [3]* is living in Rock - an ag lab aged 59 and born in Bewdley with his wife Olive [I cannot find a marriage] and their first two children Charles 3 and Alfred 1. By the time of the 1871 census James is 60 years old, born in Rock, still an ag lab living with Olive and four children. James died in 1874 - the parish register states that he was 68 years old; his death certificate shows he was 65 years but his death was registered by a neighbour rather than Olive. In view of the age of James [3] I'm sure that he must have been married before and that either [1] or [2] are likely to be his first marriage - but how can I determine which one? Even though James [2] married in Rock and had 3 children in the village I cannot find him or his family on the 1851 census or later. As I can only find one James & Sarah listed on a census in the village it did cross my mind that James [1] and [2] were the same man but in view of the christenings around the time of James [2] marriage I don't think that this can be the case. Both marriages and all christenings and burials took place in the village of Rock near Bewdley. I'm hoping that someone on this list will have some suggestions as to how I can follow this line of research. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Sue