Hello list I have a theory that I would like some opinions on. This is what I know: Mary SMITH married William ORME 1834 Netherseal 1851 Census William and Mary ORME at Woodville with nephew Thomas SMITH 11yrs born Birmingham and niece Mary Ann SMITH 9yrs born Birmingham. Mary Ann SMITH married William NADIN 1864 Woodville. Mary is listed as a spinster and her father is listed as Thomas NEWBOLD (this came from Brett Payne's transcription - I have not seen the original). 1871 Census William and Mary Ann NADIN at Hartshorne 1881 Census William and Mary Ann NADIN at The Boundary DBY, William ORME listed as father to head of household. This is what I think: Thomas and Mary Ann SMITH are siblings and probably the children one of Mary's siblings (her sister Frances (my 3xGt grandmother) seems the most likely). It appears very likely that William and Mary ORME had no children of their own, but they raised these 2 children as their own. William ORME as listed on the 1881 Census is not William NADIN's father or stepfather, he is Mary Ann NADIN's "father". Mary ORME died before the 1881 Census and William went to live with his "daughter" and her family. Do these assumptions seem logical, or am I clutching at straws? I've tried to find birth & baptism for the SMITH children, but there are too many possibilities. Is it likely that Thomas NEWBOLD really is Mary Ann's father? How could I find out more about him - I'm especially interested to know if he is the same Thomas NEWBOLD who is listed as the father of Thomas NEWBOLD who married at Woodville only a month before Mary Ann. OR (and this is a bit of a leap) is the groom Thomas NEWBOLD really Thomas SMITH - he changed his name when he found out his father's name? I'm open to all opinions and suggestions on this Sandra