That's fascinating about the torn bit. I never knew that and it makes so much sense. It also tells us why most of these documents do not survive....why would a second or third generation want half a document! Wonderful bit of information you've provided. I think he must have married her about the same date as that "indenture". I have found a marriage between a Thomas Gybbes/Gibbs and an Alice Faulkner in the IGI: ALIS FAKENER C039672 THOMAS GIBBES Marriage: 19 NOV 1571 Alveston, Warwick, England Alveston is south of Warwick and near Stratford-on-Avon. Not so far away from the Watergall and Bishop's Itchington area where Ane Gybbes ends up. Ane's marriage is recorded in the registers of Bishop's Itchington in 1590. The records are missing that would cover her death, but it would have been sometime shortly after 1603, the birth of her last child. Ane Gybbes was born 18 April 1572 (only 5 months after her parent's marriage !!) so that fits better. If it holds up to further scrutiney. I have good luck finding documents on the A2a and British History Online sites. Besides which, I go to Salt Lake every year and this year I'm going to England in September. I guess you could say I'm focused....well, I prefer to say that ! ----- Original Message ----- From: "A P L" <annepaling@hotmail.com> To: <joy1982@alltel.net> Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 5:14 AM Subject: RE: [WAR] Margaret Wylkes Dimcock Gybbes (d. 1639) > > My understanding of the legal term "indenture" is purely "an agreement". > These documents were originally written in duplicate and torn in two > creating a dented or toothed edge which would fit together at a later date > to prove that two halves came from the same "indenture". > > As an agreement it would not necessarily be between husband and wife as a > marriage agreement altho it is likely. It could have been agreed some > time before the marriage as part of what would now be called a "prenup" or > be written at a later date after the marriage as a result of inheritances. > In the 16th C I suppose a document like this could be drawn up at the time > of betrothal. > > The term "mother" could include the more modern term "step-mother" > > Just some thoughts .... > > Fascinating - you are lucky to find these documents about your family. > > > Anne Paling > SHEFFIELD, U.K.