Find Ancestors

If you write to the GRO they will conduct a 3 year search for a birth. Ignoring (for a moment the marriage cert age as she could have been bending the truth a little) she seems to have been born around 1863. So pick a date in mid-1863 and they will search 18 months either side.

Harry could have been known as Henry. It could even be that Harry/Henry was a middle name and he was known as Harry. IF Harry was dead at the time of Harriet's marriage then she may only have had that piece of info to give so it may not be the most accurate piece of info.

However, IF she lied about her age at marriage and was about 19 at the time, then it's possible that Harry/Henry was not dead at all and she lied about that to explain his absence ...

But think about writing to the GRO. The 3 year search takes a bit longer, and is a bit more than the £7 but it could be worth a try.

Jill

Who were the witnesses at the marriage?

Jill

thank you so much Jill, I didnt know you could do that!!!!!!!!........I still find it strange that I cannot find her on the census in 1871/1881 though

witnesses were ........I cant read either of their first names - but both surnames were WOODMASON

I've had a quick trawl at Ancestry for 1871 and 1881. Tried Harriet, Harriett, Harriot, Harriott - using no surnames. Tried fathers Harry and Henry. Couldn's see anything likely - although it was a quick look.

You may find it worthwhile to see how many Harriets (with all poss spellings) you can find in 1871 with father of Harry/Henry - and then see if you can find them again in 1881 and later. It is possible, as suggested earlier, that Harry died when Harriet was young and mum re-married. So her surname may be different from that of her father's.

It's also possible that she was illegitimate and used the name Harry just to cover that fact - that's not much help is it? Sorry, not meaning to depress you further ...

Jill

Both witnesses called Woodmason - could be worth looking for that name locally to where she was living at the time of marriage. Could be mum remarried, or sister and husband etc. You might not find anything but the name seems fairly unusual so worth a look.

Good luck.

Jill

Oh - if you do write to the GRO - do mention the fact that the father's name only appears on the marriage cert and you cannot find the family earlier - if she was illegitimate you don't want to miss the chance of finding a birth reg for her with no father named.

Jill

thanks Jill, I thought it might help if I could read her residence at time of marriage in 1884......thinking she may have been at the same place on 1881 census .........the address is different from where her husband is staying at the time of marriage ........but it is really hard to read - looks like 12 ST Grorcuis Road........but its impossible to read