Coleen You are reading a small part of the marriage entry incorrectly. Where you have written in your message below the following:- <<The ward of X John Hyland and the ward of X Mary Dwyer>> what you are reading as the word "ward" I believe should read as Mark. I think is should read. The mark of X John Hyland and the marm of M Mary Dwyer. The mark of each of them is the X each of them made against their names, written by someone else, because they could not sign their names. Does the marriage certificate give ages for John & Mary or does it say in the place of an age "Of full age"? Of full age would mean they were over 21 years of age. Why do you assume that the witness Catherine Hyland was John's mother? it could have been a sister of his or a cousin by the same surname, or a sister in law, or an aunt. It doesn't have to be his mother. The same goes for the witness John Dwyer, he doesn't necessarily have to be the father of Mary he could have been her brother with the same name a her father. Another reason for perhaps thinking that Catherine Hyland the witness was not John's mother is this:- You say that the Hyland family disapproved of John's marrying out of the catholic religion, why then would his mother be a witness to his marriage to a non Catholic? Regards Jenny DeAngelis <<1853 Marriage solemnized by ____________________________in the District of Stepney in the County of Middlesex 8th May 1853 John Hyland and Mary Dwyer Father's name and surname Thomas Hyland, laborer, John Dwyer, coke dealer. Married in the __________________________________according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Catholic Church. by me________________________________________ in the presence of JOhn Dwyer and Catherine Hyland. This marriage was solemnized between us, APPLICATION NUMBER R456421 given at the General Register Office>>