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Thank you 2zpool for your help. Really appreciate it...

...plus all the advice so willingly offered by all, in response to my query. 

Thank you Tickettyboo for all the information you have looked up for me.

After the helpful advice earlier today I did some more searching myself and I came across some of the references you mention, including Imin Dixon. Will definitely follow up.

When I started research a few weeks ago I naively thought I'd spend a week or two blitzing records and sorting out a family tree.

Little did I realize what I know now...it can take ages to research even just a little bit of the tree and try to piece together all the puzzles... and it will never be finished!!!!

Many thanks Col and TickettyBoo for your valuable help.

I've been researching for just a few weeks and I'm completely new to this -  I'm still getting used to the various sources of advice available.

I do have a FamilySearch account and use it a lot. I did find the 'text only' transcripts for Alexander/Catherine on FamilySearch but I didn't find the Bishops' Transcript originals so the advice about using the 'film' numbers is really valuable to me. Also useful is that guidance on Banns - I'll watch out for that.

ColC - I did find that 1861 Census and now that I know there aren't two families, I am pretty sure those are my relatives. I also found an 1871 Census with Alexander (born Stornoway) and Catherine plus the same lodger (James Hand).

Also there's an 1851 Census with a Catherine Hughes in South Street, North Shields and described as a 'Seaman's wife'. The dates seem to fit. That could be because Alexander was away at the time, especially as she wasn't described as a Widow.

I had identified several possible children, and now I know there are probably not two couples and families to muddle, I will pursue their details.

Yes, Mary Jeffreys Hughes is definitely my relative, TickettyBoo - the name Mary Jeffreys was passed down the line.

Many thanks again and best wishes to you.

Hello TickettyBoo

I've been away on holiday and have only just seen your reply to my post.

Just wanted to say a belated than you for taking the time to help. 

Much appreciated.

I'm new and I hope my post is OK! I am putting it in the Durham lookup area as that is where the marriage was (South Shields).
I'm hoping someone can help me identify the correct wife of Henry Short, and then the correct parents of the couple in question.
My relative is Henry Short, born in Blyth, Northumberland, in 1831 but later moved to North Shields.
I think he married 'Mary' either in December 1852 or January 1853 at St Hilda's, South Shields[/b], in Count Durham.
But which Mary?
I've found out that Henry Short married a Mary Thompson in December 1852 (I think on 29th).
But there is also a Henry Short who married a Mary Stewart on 1 January 1853!
I wondered if the marriage records might show the names of the bride's and the groom's fathers, occupations etc - anything that might provide clues to identify the correct Mary and then the parents of the couple. Is anyone able to look this up for me?
Or in case anyone knows this family, here's what I know already...
I think Henry and Mary Short had eight children: John (born and died 1853), John (1854-1931), Mary (b 1857), Barbara Ann (1860-1946), George (b1865), Robert (1862-1932 - emigrated to Canada),Henry (b1874) and Elizabeth (b 1876).
Henry and Mary lived in North Shields. Henry worked as a Keelman but by 1891 he was widowed and working as a Roadman. By 1901 he was in the household of his daughter Mary and her husband William Brown. I think he may have died around 1906.
Any help would be gratefully appreciated! Thank you.