Genealogy Chat

Hi~~~ ’m trying to narrow down the marriage date for my paternal gg grandfather Edward Smith to Fanny and then order the certificate. In doing so, because there are so many Edward Smiths, I’m going to have to do the big no no…….make assumptions! Their first daughter was born in Poplar London c1878 and so I’m assuming the marriage took place in the vicinity- well at least London- either in 1877 or early 1878. That gives me something like 17 possibilities. Can someone give me advice on narrowing it down further? Or do I have to order every marriage certificate til I strike lucky? I’m tearing my hair out, Caz

If you buy the birth certificate the mothers maiden name will be on it, which will narrow your search. Georgina.

thanks Georgina, much appreciated Caz

tell me about it, lol Caz

Sorry Caz no easy way to find marriages when Smith's are involved. Georgina.

Caz,I dont know if these two are married but on the quarter apr/may/jun 1878 in Hackney there is a Edward Smith and a Fanny Gaylor.1b 654 ????? Annie

bless you Annie

Have you thought of finding the daughter's birth, and ordering the cert to establish MMN? You could use the details you know as checking points. Reg

Yes Reg A good thought but the trouble is I don’t think Fanny and Edward were very accurate recording birthplaces to names of offspring. Although I have traced the same family back through the census records, here’s an example of the trouble I’m having…in addition to following Smith, lol. 1881 census Name: Flora Smith Age: 3 Estimated birth year: abt 1878 Relation: Daughter Father's name: Edward J. Mother's name: Fanny Gender: Female Where born: London, London, Middlesex, England Civil parish: St Martin IN The Fields County/Island: London Country: England Street address: 19 Crown Court Name: Florence Smith Age: 23 Estimated birth year: abt 1878 Relation: Daughter Father's name: Edward Mother's name: Fanny Gender: Female 1891 census Name: Florence Smith Age: 13 Estimated birth year: abt 1878 Relation: Daughter Father's name: Edward G Mother's name: Fanny Gender: Female Where born: Covent Garton, London, England Civil parish: West Ham Ecclesiastical parish: Holy Trinity County/Island: Essex Country: England Where born: Poplar, London, England Civil parish: West Ham Ecclesiastical parish: Holy Trinity County/Island: Essex Country: England 1901 census Name: Florence Smith Age: 23 Estimated birth year: abt 1878 Relation: Daughter Father's name: Edward Mother's name: Fanny Gender: Female Where born: Poplar, London, England Civil parish: West Ham Ecclesiastical parish: Holy Trinity County/Island: Essex Country: England Tried combinations of Poplar, Covent Garden, London, Middlesex, England Flora, and Florence. Same trouble with the other kids Excuse me there are some nice men in clean white coats outside coming to take me away ha ha! Caz