You do have a problem. I searched the index for a marriage of a Sarah to a Mahon and got nothing. http://www.rootsireland.ie/ I think you are right to scour local records. Especially church records if you can track them down. Maiden names are often used there. I have a church record using a maiden name for a widow in my family tree. Christina gwjones wrote: > I have a real problem and it has completely stumped me. I know that my GG > Grandmother was Sarah Mahon who married William Burley in Hobart, Tasmania > in 1844. Both were transported as convicts, thus I have been able to access > copies of a number of their records and newspaper entries. > > Accordingly, I know that Sarah came from Kildare, born approximately 1812. > She was sentenced to seven years transportation in 1840. This information > from her convict details and record. > > I did, however, at first miss something on her convict record of > considerable significance. Sarah was listed as a widow, thus presenting a > huge stumbling block. What was her maiden name, who did she marry, where did > her husband die and where was he buried? > > I'd dearly love to know the answers to these questions and would be grateful > for any assistance. > > GJ