Thanks to Ron, John & Roger for their suggestions about the interpretation of "matrimonial tour". The newspaper article appeared on the 9th November 1851 and related to an annual dinner held in Oldham on 31st October 1851 in which Mr H's apologies were given for his absence. The source of the date of marriage in St Pancras on 4 March 1852 was from parish registers, not from any GRO index, and again confirmed in the divorce proceedings I acquired from National Archves. Mr H's job took him away from London, but it is 125 days between the two days, and whilst transport was slower than modern times, seems to be an exceedingly long time if travel was the issue. The puzzle remains! Beth

With that sequence of events I think what we are talking about is a man taking time off to go to London to oprganise his marriage. Perhaps even they were not formally engaged. Maybe it included final courtship and seeking the father's permission. Plus he had to be around for the calling of Banns I assume he was a not a lowly employee back in Oldham Ron Lankshear -Sydney NSW (from London-Shepherds Bush/Chiswick) try my links http://freepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lankshear/ On 2011-04-04 4:27 AM, Beth wrote: > The newspaper article appeared on the 9th November 1851 and related to an > annual dinner held in Oldham on 31st October 1851 in which Mr H's apologies > were given for his absence. The source of the date of marriage in St > Pancras on 4 March 1852 was from parish registers, not from any GRO index, > and again confirmed in the divorce proceedings I acquired from National > Archves. > > Mr H's job took him away from London, but it is 125 days between the two > days, and whilst transport was slower than modern times, seems to be an > exceedingly long time if travel was the issue. > > The puzzle remains!