Genealogy Chat

Hello,

I have seen on some of the posts some asking if they know who the witnessess where on marriage cetificate I just wondered how this is any help with your tree has on most of my certs I have The witness name means nothing and I have no idea who they where
ary

Often the names of the witnesses can be of help in determining whether the persons marrying are who we think they are particularly when the marrying couple have very common names. For example the witnesses may be other family members, perhaps a mother, sibling or even an in law.

In one particular instance I recall one witness whose name I did not instantly recognise turned out to be the brides brother in law (Her sisters husband) which helped to confirm that the bride was who I thought that she might be.

Yes, I agree with Jonesey. Wittnesses, who, initally might not seem relavent may in the future be the link you need. I've found this to be true a couple of times now. :-D

Thank you
I see know, only on a marriage cert I have of Joseph Millington it as witness Thomas Davis and Selina Davis I have no idea who they where but maybe they will pop up on my tree at some time
Mary

Mary, if I saw that i would be looking to see if Selina was a sister to either the bride or groom. May well be just friends, but worth a punt.
Jan

On the other hand it was not unusual at certain churches for at least one of the witnesses to be a church cleric such as the verger or other such official.

You could try and find them on the census - i did just that for the informant on one of my ancestors death certs and it turned out to be the next door neighbour.

Was going to say the same as InspectorGreenpen.

I have looked at the nearest census to the marriage year for the bride & groom pre marriage and have found sometimes they were lodgers or neighbours of one of the party. Also sometimes one may be the a married sibling .

its worth rooting around a bit

Could this be Thomas & Selina's marrige with her name mis-spelled? Could she be a Millington?

Marriages Dec 1883 (>99%)
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Davis Thomas George N. Aylesford 2a 826
Middleton Selina N Aylesford 2a 826

As Joseph Millington married in Dudley in 1851 this marriage looks more likely to be the couple...whether they are related???

Marriages Sep 1849 (>99%)
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Davis Thomas Wt Bromwich 18 624
Worwood Selina W Bromwich 18 624

Just out of interest, Jax, how did you know when & where Joseph Millington married? I've re-read the thread to see if I missed something but can't see it.

From this thread Margee

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards.page/board/ancestors/thread/1287159

Hello Margee
Joseph Millington is my 2*greatfather his marriage to Amelia Fereday can be found on West Midlands BMD
MILLINGTON Joseph FEREDAY Amelia Sedgley, All Saints Dudley Register Office 216/006/401 1851
I also have their Marriage Cert

Mary

Thought you had a crystal ball, Jax!

Hello brummiejan

I took your advce and looked for connection you where right the witness on Joseph's marriage cert Thomas and Selina Davies
Selina is Amelia Fereday's sister
Selina and Thomas married in 1847 in Dudley

Thank you

Mary

Well, that's good to know Mary. It sort of proves the point about witnesses - if you were struggling with Amelia, Selina would have offered a bit more to help in the search.
Jan

So they were Davies not Davis

YesI I zoomed cert up and it is Davies with an (E)
Mary

Bought a marriage cert for a g/g/uncle, witness names meant nothing just a couple call Ellen & William ________. However, about a week later it dawned on me that Ellen could have been the sister of this uncle who had disappeared from the records 20 years previously. Went back to the FreBMD site, entered her maiden name & up they both popped.

NEVER undersestimate the value of witnesses.

Also my Bristol family had the same man act as witness on several marriages, it turned out he was a well known church elder/member and it was considered a privelege to have him as a witness.

i fant my nanna as a witness on her sisters marrige cert
under the name of there mums new husband

this also help to comferm my nannas side in the 1901 and 1911 census
and all under grate nanna new husbands name

no wounder i could not find them befor i got the marrige cert
now i always check witness on any marrige certs i get