How can I find out who she belongs to?

[askyourgran]

I have an Elizabeth Simpkin of Stretton? no dob, who married John Litherland in 1757 at Appleby Magna Leicestershire. I can't find out which one she belongs to. I've been stuck with her for a while now. She could be the first wife of a John born in oct 1739 (his parents William and Elizabeth), his (second) wife Elizabeth Stretton, or the second wife of a John born in Prestwold in 1720 I think he married Ann Parker in 1746, son of John and Sarah. Any help please.

[dotty.]

you can only work from the known to the unkown, have you found her death/burial/MI? that would give an age at death. Have you the names of her children? their names would help identify possible grandparents, though many amilies did stick to the usual, william ,thomas, john, mary, ann elizabeth etc. however, it can be a help. if you have found more than one candidiate then again, checking naming patterns, deaths etc, will eliminate some. looking at the baptisms of children may also help if you can see the original entries.

[askyourgran]

I haven't found anything else other than her marriage in 1757 to John. There are two possible Johns one born in 1720 and the other John born 1739 and married to Elizabeth Stretton in 1771 I had no mention of him being a widower. Thanks anyway dotty.

[dotty.]

one way to eliminate a couple of your options would be to get a look at the register entry to see if she is a spinster at marriage or a widow