Thread: Married or not?

I have been searching for the marriage of my gt grandmother to no avail. I have her husband's name, I have all the children's names and dob, I have her death cert showing her surname but no marriage - As she was some 13 years younger than her husband, I just wonder if they eloped to Gretna Green? was that possible? How can I find out? Can anyone else do a lookup for me please? details are:Sarah ASHENDEN born 1835 West Wickham Kent - Henry SYMONDS 13/1/1822 Christchurch Middx - first child born 1859 Sarah, many more up to last one William, in 1877, all there up until census 1891. death cert for Sarah, shows surname of Symonds, formerly Ashenden. Any help and advice would be great please. Many thanks. Maggie

Hi Maggie



Have checked on Scotland's People for a marriage in Gretna between

1855 and 1860 for the names you have given... sorry but nothing is coming up...

From my experience 'Formerly Ashendon' may mean she was married before - have you checked that? Have you got the first child's birth certificate to check that she was the child of Henry and that Sarah was married and not single? Also do remember that people lied about their ages, you are a bit unlucky that Sarah was born just too early for the birth certificates. Sorry not to be of more help.

Hi, Sarah's parents were: Elizabeth Butcher and Richard Ashenden. I don't have the birth cert of first child - it's a little awkward for me, as I don't have CC or DC so cannot order. My cousin has found a marriage of Sarah Ashenden to a Henry Mickleburgh and wondered whether he had either changed his name, or was a bigamist?



Maggie

I have checked and can't find the marriage either.

The most likely explanation is that it simply wasn't registered (I have just been transcribing for a one-name study and have been astounded how many weren't in those early days!) In which case you'll only find it in the parish registers.

The IGI gives a marriage for Richard Ashenden and Elizabeth Butcher 15 Sep 1833 St Clement Danes Westminster London

Sarah's baptism is given as 31 Aug 1834 West Wickham Kent (parents Richard Ashenden & Elizabeth)

Gillian

Sorry I cant find it either!



I order certs from local RO all the time and send them a cheque..you dont need a card.

Oh thank you for that - I didn't know you could send a cheque - do you still order on line, or do you have to write to them direct? - my daughter let me order a couple, but told me not to make a habit of it! (in the nicest possible way of course)



Maggie

hi



a just wanted to say to you that although the person in question was from west Wickham Kent. that does not mean you will find her in kent records

the reason i say that is that CROYDON which is a reg district is infact the nearest TOWN and would have been (and still is) far easier to get too in those days. i expect when the family went to town it would have been croydon, the church they visited could have been in shirley which is only down the road and in croydon. why i say this is because croydon is mainly in SURREY although parts are within KENT. so when checking cencus and alike look in BOTH kent and surrey

[quote name='Perniketree']Oh thank you for that - I didn't know you could send a cheque - do you still order on line, or do you have to write to them direct? - my daughter let me order a couple, but told me not to make a habit of it! (in the nicest possible way of course)



Maggie[/quote]



I mainly use Lancsbmd where I download a form and post it along with the check to Wigan RO. If your not sure give the relevant RO office a ring and ask them, they are all very helpful..