Genealogy Chat

Has anyone come across this before? Vicar has noted the father of the bride as Mary a Labourer. The bride was Mary do you think he was having a blonde moment?!!

Definitely. What date is the marriage? I had a christening in the late 17th century where the parents are down as Rosamund and Mary instead of Edmund and Mary! Too much holy wine methinks.

Date of marriage was 18th Feb 1865. I did think her mother was Margaret and father William. Perhaps that is not so?

Perhaps the bride was illegitimate and the vicar wanted to include a parent. Lots of women worked as labourers. Alternatively, it might be bad writing for Harry? My great-grandmother has 'illegitimate daughter of Susanna Barnes' on her marriage cert in father's column. nell

So its actually on a cert rather than a parish record then? Mmm, strange one, still worth following up. Have you got the girls birth certificate?

It's on the Parish Records marriage form. The handwriting of Vicar is good and both bride and father are definately Mary. I have just realised I don't have her on 1861. William Tanner lives next door to the married couple later in life too. Very odd! Oh and Jane Tanner was a witness which ties up too. On 1851 thought that this was her with her supposed family: William TANNER b. 1814 Ag. Lab. Brinkworth, Wiltsm. Margaret ? b.1813 Lyneham Children: 1. Charles Tanner b. 1838 Tockinham Wilts 2. Jane Tanner b. 1841 Braydon Cricklade, St. Sampson. Wilts 3. Henry Tanner b. 1844 Braydon Cricklade, St. Sampson. Wilts 4. Mary Tanner b. 1845 Braydon Cricklade, St. Sampson. Wilts 5. Worthy Tanner bpt. 20/8/1848 Purton

There are actually a few (unfortunate) males called Mary. - One is a famous Actor who I can't just place, and (would you believe - a wrestler around th 1960's?), and wasn't John Wayne's real name 'Marion' ? So, it is NOT unknown.! Dea x

Hmmm. Character building eh, Dea? Shall have to order birth certificate I think. Thanks everyone for your help. Anna x

Just remembered, the wrestler was called Shirley, not Mary, but same thing eh? - Some parents are SSooo cruel! Dea x Before you order the cert - Have you followed him/her through all the census - If the name is always Mary it cannot be a mistranscrition. Dea x

I've seen this on a parish register marriage entry before, in that particular case the bride was illegitimate and in the ''fathers name'' box it had the name of her mother. But never seen it on a civil reg certificate. I believe that the registrars had instructions to leave the father's name and occupation boxes blank where the father was not known. Dea - actually Shirley used to be more commonly used for a male name than female!

I have a census entry for my great grandfather William where his relationship to head of household clearly states mother. He was actually father in law.

Thanks for your replies Meercat, Richard and Annie. Anna x

One of my ancestors has her mother's details written in the father's box on a GRO cert - she was illegitimate if this helps.