I can't help with Hermenda's surname, but I did find a little bit of information: The family was enumerated on the 1900 U.S. Census in ED 87, Ward 6, Lowell, Middlesex Co., MA, p. 22 as follows: 27 Lilly Avenue Whitney John Head W M Apr 1868 32 M 1 England England England 1892 8 Weaver Hermenda Wife W F Jan 1876 24 M 1 0 0 Canada Canada Canada 1888 12 Sales Lady James Father W M Mar 1841 59 W England England England 1895 5 Florence Sister W F Oct 1882 18 S England England England 1895 5 Plush weaver I checked the U.K. 1881 census and found just one family that matched, residing at 42 Ellesmere St, Runcorn, Cheshire, England: Name Born Birthplace Relationship James Whitney abt 1841 Northwich, Cheshire, England Head Ann Whitney abt 1843 Winsford, Cheshire, England Wife John Whitney abt 1869 Runcorn, Cheshire, England Son William Whitney abt 1874 Runcorn, Cheshire, England Son So it appears that your John Whitney was born in April, 1868 in Runcorn, Cheshire, England, the son of James Whitney, born in March, 1841 in Northwich, Cheshire and Ann, born about 1843 in Winsford. Happy Searching! Tim -----Original Message----- From: colin whitney [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, December 26, 2005 1:34 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [WHITNEY-L] marriage of john whitney searching for information of marriage of john whitney and hermenda ?? surname of wife unknown around 1899 in lowell. mass. any info is wellcome.