Singlewoman, could be a widow.

[benny1982]

On occasions I have heard examples of researchers finding out that a woman who married was described as a "Singlewoman" when she was in fact a widow. Makes you double check the single woman thing in parish marriages, especially if the bride was late 20s, or 30.

 

[p.risboy]

Yes. I have had several instances of that. Just makes it harder, or more interesting. Another thing, is that when the children from her first marriage, take on the new hubbys name. It's far worse, when they never appear in any census, or post 1837 records.
So all you will possibly have, is a first name and a approximate age at baptism/burial/marriage.

Steve.

 

[benny1982]

I guess even a spinster in marriage records can be a widow, or a bachelor can be a widower. Always err on the side of caution.