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Having receieved the birth cert, have been trying to trace the marriage of the mum and dad - mum Elizabeth Couzens b Ryde still single in 1871 and 1st child born 1875. Dad James Weston on Birth Cert. Have been through all the relevant 1837 pages and can't find anything to link the two. Is that it, have I exhausted all possibilities? Dad was Occupation Gentleman- did people go abroad to marry back in the 1870s? It's beating me, very frustrating.

Sally-Anne I have been unable to find a marriage I am certain took place between May 1879 when my gt grandmother was widowed, and March 1881 when she appears on the census with her 2nd husband - June 1881 she had a child by him. Nothing on GRO index - and I looked all the way from 1879 up to 1908 (when 2nd husband died). I also checked a previous marriage for 2nd husband. She was widowed in Islington and appears in 1881 census in Greenwich and I have checked all the churches in those areas - still zilch. I am fairly certain they would have married, but probably another part of London. If you have an idea whereabouts they might have married, it could be worth asking the local register office if they can find a marriage. Its possible the copy they sent to the GRO got lost. Or you could check to see if the groom was already married and pretending to be single to commit bigamy! nell

Hi Sally-Ann, You have probably thought of this already. Did they marry? In those days gentleman very rarely married servants, although they might have had to be registered as the father. What do you think? Regards Vera

Sally-Ann, She could have called herself Weston, for the child/childrens sake. Regards Vera

Vera The birth cert states mother as Elizabeth Weston formerly Couzens - would that be written if they weren't actually married? Elizabth's mum was also quite wealthy herself as she is seen on later census living off own means. Elizabeth doesn't seem to have actually worked. My problem is, although they settled in Sussex, I really have no idea where James was born. It's driving me mad! Sal

Hi Sally-Ann, Not everything put on the certificates is gospel....unfortunately. Just a thought, if you could find a will for a James Weston, it is possible that she and the children were mentioned in the will. He obviously wanted to be known as the father to the children. I might be grasping at straws....but you never know. Regards Vera

have you traced them both - Prob not together i appreciate -in 1871 census ? where were they then - might give some clues as to where they married if indeed they did. Are Elizabeth and james together in 1881 census - if so where. Jess

her in 71 i guess Eliza Couzens abt 1839 Langbridge, Dorset, England Wife Ryde Hampshire >>Elizth Couzens abt 1847 Isle of Wight, Ryde Daughter Ryde Hampshire John S Couzens abt 1807 Havant, Hampshire, England Head Ryde Hampshire Louisa Couzens abt 1812 Isle of Wight, Ryde Wife Ryde Hampshire Louisa Couzens abt 1863 Havant, Hampshire, England Niece Ryde Hampshire Wm Couzens abt 1838 Isle of Wight, Ryde Head Ryde Hampshire Wm Couzens abt 1865 Isle of Wight, Ryde Son Ryde Hampshire

is this them in 1881 - if so who is montague? I see - the son. Elizabeth Weston abt 1847 Ryde, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England Boarder 1 Western Rd, Littlehampton, Sussex, England Montague Weston abt 1875 Southsea, Hampshire, England Boarder 1 Western Rd, Littlehampton, Sussex, England She says she is married, but he's not there. any idea of his occupation?

1891 not the right ones, but possibly this illusive groom/fathers family Weston, Montague C abt 1861 Weymouth, Dorset, England Head Holy Trinity Dorset Weston, Purcell abt 1829 Weymouth, Dorset, England Head Holy Trinity Dorset . Can i find Purcell in 71/61 with sunny jim for a birthplace? ---------------------------------------------------- 1861 - now im really confused!! Emmeline Weston abt 1811 Newington, Surrey, England Sister Dorchester Holy Trinity Dorset Montague C Weston abt 1813 Weymouth, Dorset, England Head Dorchester Holy Trinity Dorset 1871 Montague is unmarried... Elizabeth Guppy abt 1828 Upway, Dorset, England Servant Holy Trinity Dorset Emmiline Weston abt 1813 Newington, Surrey, England Sister Holy Trinity Dorset Record Montague C Weston abt 1814 Weymouth, Dorset, England Head Holy Trinity Dorset Annie E Wilkins abt 1842 Symondsbury, Dorset, England Servant Holy Trinity Dorset Elizabeth Wilkins abt 1850 Fordington, Dorset, England Servant Holy Trinity Dorset ---------------------------------- 1871 guess this is Purcell Liller Weston abt 1860 Weymouth, Dorset, England Visitor Kingston Somerset = age 11 Paull Weston abt 1822 Weymouth, Dorset, England Visitor Kingston Somerset <reads Purcell. occupation actually states NONE Im not convined James weston Existed , you know.....

Jess Do you think she made him up for the sake of respectability? I must say I am coming to that conclusion myself! The only other option is Scotland I suppose. Then I am giving up!

Sally-ann. have you ever found them together ?- (was about to look on 1901)

How weird. Had discounted the 1901 census as Elizabeth is Head of House. She has a visitor one year older than her - James West. When I last looked at this, wasn't in possession of birth cert, but now looking again, could that James West be written as James Weston? It could be a possibility. He was born in Gloucester, and living on own means. Hmmmm.

sally anne FOUND THE 1901 - NOT CONVINCED. Beatrice Michener abt 1880 Southampton, Hampshire, England Servant Portsmouth Hampshire James West abt 1846 Preston, Gloucestershire, England Visitor Portsmouth Hampshire Elizabeth Weston abt 1847 Isle of Wight, Ryde Head Portsmouth Hampshire when did she 'eventually' settle in Sussex? cant find this chap before , nor can i find montague in 1901

Back now... RG 13/990

Montague was born James Montague. He is a boarder in St Pancras in 1901, Single and and Architect.

JESS! I think this James West might just be the man... He seems to be living in Ryde on the 1881 census. And that was where Elizabeth was from. Maybe she tweaked the West to Weston protect the innocent (and guilty parties). Also James West has a Reginald too which is a bit odd. I guess we'll never know for sure, but lots of coincindences. SPOOKY thing - the house is just up the road from where MY mum and dad have a cottage :)

Hello: What about this? James West visitor in 1901 could be this bloke from 1891: West, James R abt 1846 Alscal Preston on Stour, Gloucestershire, England Head Preston on Stour Gloucestershire West, Louise R abt 1846 Elmdon, Warwickshire, England Wife Preston on Stour Gloucestershire I have not posted their two kids and 1001 servants for the mo........ Back to 1901, Louisa is married and listed as Wife rather than Head, but hubby ain't at home!! Elizabeth L R West abt 1846 Elmdon, Warwickshire, England Wife Preston on Stour Gloucestershire In 1891 James is a Lieut in the Royal Navy Reserve. So maybe he is at sea in 1901 and is nothing to do with your James Visitor..........but......maybe he told his wife he was at sea?? lol Merry

Oh, yes..... It's all the same chap isn't it? We are coming from opposite directions lol The bloke I posted in 1891 with wife Louisa is the same guy living in Ryde (with wife!!) in 1881..... Merry

and in 1871 he is living in Leamington, Warks. Merry