Hello, can someone /anyone please tell me where I can look now for a birth for *Thomas *Porter (2) without knowing his mothers maiden name .All the Certificates I have applied for from Bristol area don't have Harriett as the mother and without it how can I be sure that I do have the right Thomas ...there are so may of them. Lindsay Thomas Porter (1) was born in Bruton, Somerset. Abt. 1820 (christened in Bruton.Somerset. 27^th February 1820) died 1899 in Bristol. Father: Charles Porter. Occ: Laborer Mother: Jane Porter (maiden name: Meadon) Married: 1.5.1817. in Bruton. He is listed in 1851 census at Castle Cary. Somerset. PORTER Thomas.(1) Lodger. 28. Unmarried. Sawyer. Bruton. Somerset. Married:* Harriett *(supposedly) born abt. 1823 in St Nicholas or Clifton, Bristol I have written to GRO and they cannot find a marriage for 1852-1857 in England or Wales Their son *Thomas*(2) was born in Bristol 1854-1857 - died: 28.4.1903 (have death cert) I have searched various sites and also applied for several birth certificates for this *Thomas* hoping to find his mother, Harriett but have not had any luck which makes me wonder if she maybe had another Christian name she used when/if she married although all the census records from 1861 onwards just have her as Harriett. Harriett and Thomas (age 6) are on 1861 census living at 11 Rose St, Redcliffe, Bristol. But I cannot find Thomas senior anywhere on the 1861 census although they are together on 1871, 1881, 1891, and Harriet appears as a widow in 1901. **Thomas **(2) married Mary Ann Gainey 21.2.1881 at St Augustine the Less parish church, Bristol (have cert) Children were: Thomas R: 1882 Albert Edward 1883 (grandfather) married Harriett Mary Ann Sweet 26.12.1903 (have cert) Alfred: 1885 Ellen: 1889