Hi Nick, I was just about to re-direct you to the Knightroots website in Hants but I decided to have a quick look see first, and would you believe they have donated some of their transcriptions including Southampton to the OPC project which will be coming out on CD. But have a look because many surrounding areas, such as Portsea, Portsmouth are still on there and you are able to wade through various places and their transcriptions. I suggest a run through of the transcriptions just in case. 1. I see that the marriage comes from the IGI on Familysearch, which is woefully incomplete. 2. Doing a bit of research I can see That as far as I can see there are no Thomas and Ann Powneys (using Pown*, Poun*) also checked under just Ann alone 1851 census has Ann (Powney) as aged 50, widow, therefore born 1801 I can see that there is a sister Emma Ridout unmarried with her in 1851 and therefore the conclusion can be drawn that she is a biological sister. There is definitely a a marriage on Freebmd of a Thomas Powney and a "possible" Ann Ridout BUT I am going to throw some flies in the ointment, because none of us want to clamber up the wrong tree. 1. Sister - I have had sisters on the census that end up to be sister in laws. 2. Marrying in 1841 at age 42 (although not unheard of by any means) unless you have actually seen the marriage entry in Southampton can also mean that Ann is a widow (which is not shown on the IGI entries) Therefore her maiden name would not be Ridout. You really need the marriage certificate to make sure that you are not barking up the wrong tree....literally. 3. I am sorry Nick to be questioning how you came to the conclusions that you have, unless you have some knowledge that I cannot have, in a brief look at your problem. 4. If they were both married before and widowed, then it is possible they did have children that are grown. 5. I can honestly see where you are drawing conclusions......BUT I think you must start with what you know and work forward......the certificate to ascertain that you definitely have the correct family is a MUST at this stage. use the original parish registers where you can. I presume you have Ann's baptism to Thomas Ridout and Jane? Yep it's hard yards. The Parish Registers are available from a local LDS to order and peruse at (Mormon) Family History rooms locally. Sorry for the spanner in the works..... Cheers pam > Hello, > > I have few details of this couple beyond knowing that Ann was the daughter > of my ancestors,Thos. Ridout, surgeon and his wife, Jane Wanstall, and > that > she was born at Herne around 1799 and I believe the married at > Southampton > in 1841; it is therefore unlikely they had children. Ten years later, in > the > 1851 census, she was shown as being a widow > > If anyone has information on Thos. Powney I should like to hear from them. > > Thanks, > > Nick