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Help needed for parish registers

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Chris in Sussex

Chris in Sussex Report 7 Mar 2007 16:35

So William Nichols was present at every marriage? In that case I would guess he was a serial witness....Someone who witnessed a marriage as the Bride and Groom didn't provide a friend/relative. He was probably closely connected to the Church. But that doesn't of course mean that he couldn't have been the real witness to his daughter's marriage during his time as a serial witness. Chris

Researching:
Avatar...My darling Dad. 1931-2019 'Take nothing on its looks, take everything on evidence. There is no better rule' Charles Dickens, Great Expectations. 'A brickwall is a problem that you haven't solved yet' Dave Annal http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/brick-walls-and-lost-ancestors/

Anne

Anne Report 7 Mar 2007 16:34

It was often the church warden who acted as a witness. Remember it could be anyone, doesn't have to be a relative - just somebody to witness that the actual ceremony took place. Just like witnessing a signature. So it could still have been her father anyway - depends how common the name was in that parish! Anne

ErikaH

ErikaH Report 7 Mar 2007 16:27

'Professional' witness.............. They were quite common......... Reg

Emma

Emma Report 7 Mar 2007 16:24

Hello everyone I have just got back from the Lincolnshire Archives. I have managed to get copies of 2 marriage entries in the parish register (yey!) I am a little confused though. On one of them there is a William Nicols in every entry (I the presence of) - the bride I am look at is Mary Nichols (with a H). At first I thought it may be her father - but then I noticed he was on all of them. Any ideas? Kind Regards Emma