sue, thanks again for your time but have spent so much money on checking all the births i could find . i have checked at least 10 and cannot find her anywhere.
i managed to trace catherine lewis in later census as far as 1891, still living in liverpool and described as wife but no trace of husband. i guess i was just making a last effort and will have to look elsewhere.
sorry you could not help.
all the best for the new year.
josie.