Thanks Lesley. I can now conclude he is not related to the couple getting married, who were John BOTTOMLEY (s/o James BOTTOMLEY overlooker & Hannah CARR) & Martha HOLMES (d/o David HOLMES miner & Pheby BRIGGS) on 1st Dec 1844. The information I have is that the other witness was Thomas BOTTOMLEY. This forename Thomas doesn't sit easily with what I know, and I'm wondering if there has been a mix-up in transcription with John THOMAS. I don't suppose by any remote chance anyone can confirm what the register actually has? Howard