For those doing British research, you are advised to use the facilities at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Frequently (most of the time, unless restricted), you can borrow films, for a short time, for a small fee, from that Library. Generally you do this through a nearby LDS family history center, but I understand from some of my e-mail correspondents that some public libraries have agreements with FHL so that patrons can borrow films through their local public libraries. Genealogists have to ask LOTS of questions,and this is one to ask about in your local community. For an Oldham married in W. Derby, Lancashire after 1837, one would have to use the Civil Registration indexes--for the whole of England. The key is to know what code the indexers used for the District in which West Derby Lancashire. For instance, my grandmother's people were registered in Plomesgate District in Suffolk (England, that is). If my memory hasn't faded too badly (I did this research in the late 1970s), the code for Plomesgate was 8a. Do you have the marriage record? If not, then you will have to search the indexes, and that takes LOTS of time. The registers were indexed quarterly, and the clerks in the counties didn't always send material to the central office (formerly St. Catherine's House) in a timely fashion. It might help you to search the parish registers for marriages, burials, baptisms and get a handle on these folks--or at least their antecedents. Use the online FHL catalog (FHLC) at www.familysearch.org I typed in in the Place query West Derby Lancashire, and, lo and behold, the FHL In SLC has a number of records for that place. If you have some pretty positive dates for your families, then a hired professional in Salt Lake City might be able to assist you in your search. Professionals are not cheap, and, contrary to what lots of amateurs think, they do not always find the answer. So be quite clear about your goals and be quite frank about your financial limitations. If you know what profession your ancestor had in England, the search might be easier. The censuses (1851, 1861 and so on) might help you establish some facts about your family, and those are available through the FHL. You might think about borrowing a book on how to do English research. It is somewhat different than doing US research. Hope this gives you some ideas. E.W.Wallace