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Hi William, yes I knew about Jane's history and thought that maybe the truth about her father may have come out and may even have resulted in the wedding being called off. However the newspaper report does say that the marriage took place even though I can find no other records of it. I lost track of Jane for a few decades and this 'marriage' could answer a lot of questions for me whether it took place or not.

Thanks very much for your reply Viktoria, the newspaper article is all I have to go on, it just says Mr William Smith of Longden, no other details. It says the marriage was at Pontesbury and I can see in the church records that Rev W. Harrison did conduct some but not all of the marriages there, your point about non-conformist marriages could help to explain that. I've not found any firm trace of Mr Smith on other records (census etc) yet but I'll see if I can get some time to try again today. I do have more on Jane Barker's past but it's what happened to them after the wedding (if it did take place) that I would like to find.

Thanks again for your help.
Caz

I've found an article in the newspaper archive about a marriage which supposedly took place in Pontesbury in March 1858 between William Smith of Longden and Jane Barker officiated by Rev. W. Harrison. It is reported as an event that took place, not a forthcoming marriage. I've looked at the Pontesbury parish records on line but there is nothing between Oct 1857 and July 1858 (These entries are on the same page so it's not that some have been missed). There is nothing in the civil records either. I can't find banns records so it doesn't look like a marriage that was cancelled at the last minute. I'm wondering if weddings were temporarily moved and recorded elsewhere for some reason and hoping someone with some local knowledge might be able to point me in the right direction as to where else I could look please.

Thanks very much Nottsgirl,
Good to know there is an office. I tried to ring today but got a message saying there was no one to take the call. I was hoping to go tomorrow so haven't really left myself much time to organise. I know the section and grave number so was hoping there would be some maps or signs around. Still hopefully the office will be open and they can point me in the right direction,
Caz