Genealogy Chat

Hi all, I've a couple of marriage certificates which say "Formerly known as" & "Also known As" and wondered what whether there was difference was between the sayings.

One certificate was for a 68 year old spinster.

I am guessing at possible adoption for common law marriage but what's the difference?

Thanks, Lou

I would read it as formerly known as - used to go under another name until she/he changed it for whatever reason.

Also known as - uses another name some of the time.

Jill

Hi Jill, that's interesting.

I have a spinster who at the time of her marriage her surname was Crook formerly known as Roberts. She married a Jones and within 3 weeks he was dead, supposedly murdered by her.

thanks again Jill, Lou

Lou,

Normally, if someone has been married before, they use the sentence - formerly known as ..................., can't explain the fact that this one was down as a spinster but would be worth checking the Crook/Roberts marriages.

Best Wishes

Jane

Hi Jane, I have tried to search for a Crook/Roberts marriage as that's what I first thought at first but no luck, now I'm thinking perhaps it's her mother's 2nd marriage and she took on that surname. I just found it strangely amusing that her surname was Crook and did wonder if she 'did away' with the first hubby, she was quick enough to take all my granddad's money and the death cert indicates it was murder and so did the inquest but she just vanished. Lou

Hi Jane, I've searched for Crooks/ Roberts marriage with no luck again, tryin to find her birth, but have found one which matches area and year but middle name is different, should be Emma but it's Elizabeth

update:

Just found a marriage Mary E Roberts to Ernest J Crook but in Prestwich in 1910, could be her but why would she put Spinster on her marriage???? She's a strange one! must do more digging and search for his death - you never know!!?? Oh the joys this brings. Take care, Lou

Perhaps, her new husband did not know she had been married before and gave the details to the vicar when they were marrying! Sounds a bit strange though. Can you find an Ernest J Crook death?

Best Wishes

Jane

What is her father's name on the marriage certificate? What year did she marry your grandfather?

Best Wishes

Jane

Hi Jane, Her father's name was Edward Roberts, marriage in 1964. I can't find a death for Ernest Crook. The family although they had never met her thought she was a young woman who was his nurse. But when she was asked to produce her marriage certificate at the police station she vanished so the family believed they wern't married.
Lou