Genealogy Chat

I have a copy of the marriage certificate for William Drayton and Betsey Salisbury Morris – they married 4 March 1875 in Barrington and were both residing there at time of marriage.

I can’t find Betsey in the census before her marriage! According to census findings after her marriage, her birth year was abt 1851 and she gives her place of birth as Nidon or Barrington in Somerset. (Nidon is a very small hamlet and doesn’t have its own church and so people went to churches in nearby villages.)

No father’s name is given for Betsey on the marriage certificate and I have found a baptism for a Betsey in 1851 in Hambridge, giving her residence/birth place as Nidon and she is the base-born daughter of Sarah Morris.

There is also a baptism in Barrington in 1862 for Emily Morris, base-born daughter of Sarah Morris – and I can’t find them in the census either. And an Emily Morris was witness at Betsey’s marriage – so likely siblings?

There was also another Betsey born 1851 in Barrington, and a Betsy born 1850 in Nidon – both these girls have parents and show with them in the Census. (William/Mary and James/Emma)

I have gone down all the routes I can think of – Bet*, Morris variations, Salisbury variations, Bet* with a mother Sarah, etc etc etc.

Sometimes I go blind from looking – anyone want to try? Pretty please?

Possible for Emily and Sarah?

1871 England Census
about Emily Morris
Name: Emily Morris
Age: 9
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1862
Relation: Granddaughter
Gender: Female
Where born: Hixon, Somerset, England
Civil Parish: Barrington
Ecclesiastical parish: Crewkerne
Town: Barrington
County/Island: Somerset
Country: England
Street address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Disability: View Image
Registration district: Langport
Sub registration district: Curry Rivell
ED, institution, or vessel: 13
Household schedule number: 56
Household Members: Name Age
Emily Morris 9..Nidon
Lucy Morris 83..Pauper..Widow..Barrington
Sarah Morris 49..Unwed..Kid Glove Maker..Nidon

Thanks Christina - told you I was going blind.

That Sarah is a distinct possibility and in 1861 she is living with her sister and brother-in-law. But there is no Betsey with her.

And Sarah's mother, Lucy is living on her own in 1861

Can you name the witnesses to the marriage?

Rose

Interestingly, I already have that Sarah in my tree and she married Edmund Drayton in 1875 - he and William Drayton are 1st and 5th Cousins.

Portland Rose - Emily Morris was one witness, as mentioned earlier. Other witness was Robert Drayton - who was William's brother

1871?

1871 England Census
about Elizabeth Morris
Name: Elizabeth Morris
Age: 19
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1852
Relation: Servant
Gender: Female
Where born: Curry Rivel, Somerset, England
Civil Parish: Charlton MacKrell
County/Island: Somerset
Country: England
Street address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Disability: View Image
Registration district: Langport
Sub registration district: Somerton
ED, institution, or vessel: 6
Household schedule number: 82
Household Members: Name Age
Elizabeth Morris 19
Mary Osmond 18
Edwar Dh Powell 20
John C Thomas 30
Juliet Thomas 32

Rose

Thanks Portland Rose - but I have that Elizabeth as the daughter of Charles and Ann Morris.