Genealogy Chat

Wasted loadsamoney on 1837 looking for the wrong spelling of Elizabeth Forse,(incorrect- Force).She was aged 18 in 1873 on marriage cert. when she married Joseph Fowler. Need a look-up for Bristol 1861 or 1871 to narrow age down. On 1881 and 1901 Census neither ages tally with marriage certificate so would appreciate 1891 look-up, at the least. Not expecting too much as I appreciate '61 and '71 look-up difficult, but any help would be appreciated. Marion

Marion if she was 18 in 1873, that means she was born 1854/5 and doesn't that agree with the 27year old on the 1881? Sue

Marian On the 1891 there is a Elizabeth B Forse age 59 a widow living on own means born Bristol. She was living at 13 Ninetree Hill, St James and St Paul, Bristol. There was also a Jane Thomas age 18 also living on own means a visitor and a servant Alice Hurst Is this the one? Margaret

Thanks for that Margaret, but Elizabeth was then Elizabeth Rebecca Fowler. She married Joseph in 1873 and he was still alive in 1901.The family lived in Sion or Zion Road Marion

Marion, Here's a tip: to save yourself from searching on 1837 for years already covered by FreeBMD. Look here http://freebmd.rootsweb(.)com/progress.shtml I have several female relatives whose birth year gets later and later as they get older. Crista

Thanks Christa, I have been checking freebmd for months with the hope that several bmd's for the areas I need would be transcribed by now. Many records for the Bristol area were destroyed in fires and so there are certain years not covered, then I get my applications returned because of this. I then have to try to get the correct index to apply to the GRO. This is where it starts getting expensive. Marion

Marion, Just a thought but perhaps she lied about her age on marriage, possibly younger than she said. Re GRO, you do know that all libraries have Gro indexes. You may have to use their microfiche readers and trawl through a few years but an hour shoild be enough to find possibilities. Hope this helps. John

Hi John, I have so many of my ancestors that lied about their age! One original marriage certificate was 'doctored' after the marriage, and differs greatly from the GRO version. My theory was to appear older for whatever reason, but why change later? My local library does not keep any records and I have travelled 20 miles to the central library before now, but if you you work full time its not always a viable option. Admittedly it would be cheaper and makes a pleasant day out and I really wish I had gone now! Lesson for everyone else. Marion

I am interested in the info. that records in Bristol were destroyed by fire. I am desperately trying to find a marriage between Robert Cook/e and Elizabeth King most probably Bristol/ Gloucestershire as that is where Elizabeth comes from and the first 2 children were born. Do you think if they were destroyed that there would be no hope of finding this marriage, it is the only way I have of establishing their parentage as their names are so common.

1891 Joseph Fowler 37 Elizabeth 37 wife Charles 19 son Joseph 17 son Elizabeth 14 Daug Albert 12 son William 10 son James 7 son Arthur 5 son Frederick 3 son ***ity 6 mths daug all born Bristol

Mary, You're a gem, thanks. Elizabeth may well have been born between 1853 and 1855, only wish I could find the index!! The last child would have been Emily, and its good to see the children Elizabeth Joseph and Charles as they weren't on 1901 census. Apparently Charles disappeared and no-one ever saw him again. Ann, Bristol have got certain years missing that have been destroyed but if they can't find them they send you a special form to send to the GRO which entitles you to pay the same rate as the local registry office. The GRO should have the records but you need the right index to qualify for the cheaper rate. Of course its the same rate as ordering it online so doesn't make a lot of difference.My new problem is that there were two Joseph Fowlers born same year with the same name for a father and all with the same proffessions! Not only that but they lived in the same area.Every challenge sent for a reason! Marion