Thread: Phebe Jane Roling/Finigan Death in Liverpool ~1873-4

Hi all,

I think I've just solved a mystery that's been bugging me for a few years, but I could do with some help on the final push.

My ancestor, James Finigan, married Elizabeth Robinson in 1875 in Liverpool. These are my great-great grandparents. However, James is listed on the parish marriage record as a widower, and I've always wondered who his first wife was, partly because James is listed on the census as being from London, and I hoped an earlier marriage might help to explain what he was doing in Liverpool.

Today I found another marriage record for James, again in Liverpool (at the same church, St Michael's Toxteth), dated 1871. This time the bride is Phebe (sic) Jane Roling. Her father is given as John Roling, and the date of the wedding is 01/10/1871. James is listed as James Finagan (a not insurmountable spelling variation), his occupation is given as "miner" and his father is given as Thomas Finagan, Engineer. At his later marriage to Elizabeth, his occupation is again "miner" and his father is Thomas Finigan, Engine Driver. It seems highly possible that we're dealing with the same people.

Anyway, the point of this post is that I can't find the crucial death record for a Phebe Jane Finigan (or Finagan) that would prove this is indeed James' first marriage. Nor can I find any other evidence of her existence whatsoever. I've searched for her as Roling and as Finigan and I've also searched for her father, John Roling, all to no avail. I'd be very grateful if anyone can find a death record for Phebe, or failing that, pretty much anything else.

Thanks!

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I have images of the originals of both marriage records if anyone wants to see them.

Is this the marriage you refer to?

Liverpool, Lancashire, England, Marriages and Banns, 1813-1921
Name: Phebe Jane Roling
Birth Year: abt 1849
Age: 22
Marriage Date: 1 Oct 1871
Parish: Toxteth St Michael
Spouse's Name: James Finagan
Father's name: John Roling
Spouse Father's Name: Thomas Finagan

Liverpool, Lancashire, England, Marriages and Banns, 1813-1921
Name: James Finagan (occ Miner)
Birth Year: abt 1849
Age: 22
Marriage Date: 1 Oct 1871
Parish: Toxteth St Michael
Spouse's Name: Phebe Jane Roling
Father's name: Thomas Finagan (occ engineer)
Spouse Father's Name: John Roling (occ Blacksmith)
Both living in Mann Street.


Liverpool, Lancashire, England, Marriages and Banns, 1813-1921
Name: James Finigan (occ Miner) Widower
Birth Year: abt 1847
Age: 28
Marriage Date: 28 Mar 1875
Parish: Toxteth St Michael
Spouse's Name: Elizabeth Robinson
Father's name: Thomas Finigan (occ Engine Driver)
Spouse Father's Name: James Robinson (occ Labourer)
Both living in Jordens Place, Mill A (avenue?)

here is this death

getting the cert may rule this out she cud have been known as jane


Deaths Sep 1873 (>99%) FINIGAN Jane 20 Liverpool 8b 109

my great gran was elizabeth amelia but was known bessie my nan was christened priscilla on her wedding cert she was cissie priscilla because they called her cissie lol

I did find one Phebe Roling 1871

RG10; Piece: 891; Folio: 133; Page: 19
2 Denton Cottages, Garvesend, Milton, Kent
James Russell 20 Mar Labourer
Susannah Russell 20 Wife
Pheobe Roling 18 Unmar NIECE Domestic Servant
All from Gravesend

Where was James 1871, ages,consent and is it her all spring to mind !

Don't know if this is helping but tried looking at the Russell part and not sure if this is the right Russell family 1861 but they call their youngest daughter Phebe...or did they just like the name and pure coincidence!

RG9; Piece: 488; Folio: 107; Page: 9

just can't find anything concrete for you, James here is 8 and from Sevenoaks, father in law is Phillip Constable