Genealogy Chat

Would some kind person please help me find a missing marriage. Mick

Who, when, where?

My maternal grandmother, Jane Willis b1876. to Edward Willis and Isabella Hailes formerly Hutchinson. I can only find Edward and Isabella,with any degree of certainty on the 1881 census. This gives birthdates of 1837 and 1850 respectively. the eldest child on this census was born in 1868, indicating a marriage date of possibly 1866/67. I have had no luck in finding it. Help ,.Please. Mick

I forgot to add. Edward was born in Thornley. Durham. Isabella in West Moor. Northumberland Mick

Just for reference presume this is 1881 census John Dodds abt 1846 Stella, Durham, England Lodger Ryton Durham Edwd. Willis abt 1837 Thornley, Durham, England Head Ryton Durham George Willis abt 1868 Ryton, Durham, England Son Ryton Durham Hannah Willis abt 1869 Ryton, Durham, England Daughter Ryton Durham Isabella Willis abt 1850 West Moor, Northumberland, England Wife Ryton Durham Isabella Willis abt 1878 Ryton, Durham, England Daughter Ryton Durham Jane Willis abt 1876 Oakenshaw, Durham, England Daughter Ryton Durham Mary A. Willis abt 1880 Ryton, Durham, England Daughter Ryton Durham Michael Willis abt 1874 Prudhoe, Northumberland, England Son Ryton Durham

Sorry, is Hailes Isabella's surname? Or is she on the birth cert as Isabella Hailes Willis formerly Hutchinson? nell

It is Mick

Isabella Willis late Haile, formerly Hutchinson. Mick

Are you certain that the oldest child on the 1881 census is Isabella's, or could she be a second wife, given the difference in ages? If we can find the family in 1871 it should help. As for 1860's marriages, FreeBMD is not very complete for the 1860's so often you have to look through the GRO indexes quarter by quarter for them. Also, the oldest child in a family on a given census may well not be that couple's oldest child, as there could be older ones who are away from home, perhaps at boarding school or living in somewhere as a servant, or indeed they could have had an older child who died. So if you don't find a marriage a year or two before the 'oldest child''s birth it is usually worth working backwards. And don't forget that sometimes the marriage will turn out to be in the same quarter as the first child's birth! Kate.

I wonder if there is a connection here 1871 census George Hall abt 1868 Northd, Ovingham Son Prudhoe Castle Northumberland Hannah Hall abt 1869 Ryton, Durham, England Daughter Prudhoe Castle Northumberland Isabell Hall abt 1849 Northd, West Moor Head Prudhoe Castle Northumberland Matthew Hall abt 1866 Northd, Ovingham Son Prudhoe Castle Northumberland Elizabeth Stokoe abt 1858 Northd, Wall Visitor Prudhoe Castle Northumberland Mary Stokoe abt 1861 Northd, Wall Visitor Prudhoe Castle Northumberland George, Hannah and Isabell about the right age - possible previous marriage Isabell listed as widow - coal miners wife

Looking at your initial question again, surely Isabella and Edward can't have married each other in 1866 or 1867 unless she is seriously lying about her age! Because that Hailes / Hutchinson business means she was married to somebody else before she married Edward, and what are the chances of that if she was 16 or 17 when she married him?! So, I think she is his second wife and the mother of some of the children will be his first wife. Although of course stepchildren of the head are often listed under his surname as son or daughter, so some of the children could be hers from her first marriage. Kate.

help /hinder ??a mistranscription or.....way off the mark View Record Man E Dodd abt 1866 Sanfield, Durham, England Niece Ryton Durham View Record Edward Willets abt 1838 Thornley, Durham, England Brother Ryton Durham View Record Hannah Willets abt 1836 Ryton, Durham, England Wife Ryton Durham View Record Michael Willets abt 1836 Thornley, Durham, England Head Ryton Durham that is 1871

Certainly possible, and worth following up. next on list. Thanks Mick

1871 Census Record Edward Willes abt 1839 Houghton-le-Spring, Durham, England Head Houghton le Spring Durham View Record Isabella Willes abt 1862 Houghton-le-Spring, Durham, England Daughter Houghton le Spring Durham View Record Mary Ann Willes abt 1864 Houghton-le-Spring, Durham, England Daughter Houghton le Spring Durham View Record Sarah Jane Willes abt 1842 Houghton-le-Spring, Durham, England Wife Houghton le Spring Durham View Record Richard Yates abt 1835 Wigan, Lancashire, England Lodger Houghton le Spring Durham THE AGE FOR FIRST CHILD MUST BE MISTRANSCRIBED OR SHE IS FROM ANOTHER MARRIAGE as she is only 2 years younger than Isabella.

Hi Jess Certainly possible Michael and Edward were living with parents in Mickley in 1861/51 Mick

1861 Census Edward Willis abt 1833 Easington Lane, Durham, England Head Haswell Durham View Record Isabella Willis abt 1831 Rethbury, Northumberland, England Wife Haswell Durham View Record Margaret Willis abt 1857 Ryhope, Durham, England Daughter Haswell Durham If this is yours, then there is a huge difference with age for Isabella??

Hi Andrea Thanks for the suggestions , but it's the wrong set of Willises Mick

You said you could only find Edward and Isabella on 1881 census - think this one could match up in 1891 Ada Willes abt 1890 Ryton, Durham, England Daughter Ryton Durham Edward Willes abt 1838 Thornley, Durham, England Head Ryton Durham Edward Willes abt 1886 Ryton, Durham, England Son Ryton Durham Isabella Willes abt 1848 West Moor, Northumberland, England Wife Ryton Durham

Thanks Elaine It could well be. but I stillcan't find the Marriage mick

and could this be them in 1901 Ada Welles abt 1890 Addison, Durham, England Daughter Ryton Durham Edward Welles abt 1838 Thornley, Durham, England Head Ryton Durham Edward Welles abt 1884 Addison, Durham, England Son Ryton Durham Isabella Welles abt 1848 West Moor, Northumberland, England Wife Ryton Durham Isabella Welles abt 1878 Addison, Durham, England Daughter Ryton Durham John William Welles abt 1887 Addison, Durham, England Son Ryton Durham