Genealogy Chat

I'm sure someone will have a good idea. I am getting annoyed with my g.grandfather now. I can't find a birth, marriage or death for him, although his name is on the children's birth certificates with Maria being called Wright also. I have him in 1891 and 1901, in Hull, 'married' to my g.gran Maria, (her second marriage). I also have him named on Maria's death certificate as 'widower of deceased'. I can't find a marriage, but on the 1881 census Maria is shown as a widow, so presumably if they did marry it would have been after that. However, I can't find him prior to 1891 at all. His name is George William Wright, born sometime between 1855-1860 (going off the ages on the census). One census states born in London, the other Middlesex, London. I think Middlesex covered quite a large area of London in the mid 1800s. I know that his mother was Spanish (or Portuguese) and according to my aunt her surname was Da Costa (don't know if that is how she spelt it). However, my dad who is now dead, always used to say that he was descended from the Carreras tobacco family and that his descendant was the black sheep of the family and fled to England. In which case, my g.grandfather's mother must have been the product of the Carreras man, but why was she called Da Costa? Only problem is my dad was very good at telling 'stories' so I don't know if that one is true or not. Any ideas? Liz

Liz> I notice from the 1891 census that Maria's previous name was Alden. Having checked on Freebmd I have found the marriage of a Caroline Alden to a William Wright in Hull in Dec 1889 Ref: 9d 494. Could Caroline (like William was for George) possibly have been Maria's middle name? Anyway, hope this might be of some help. Regards John

what surname does Maria have in 1881 please sorry, got clues from 1891 Elizabeth Alalen 13 <Born Hull, Edith Alden 5 John Alden 19 < I THINK he was born Lowestoft Lavima Nliven 24 < born in yarmouth Ada Wright 6 George W Wright 31 Maria Wright 42 William Wright 4 maybe they married somewhere totally obscure? or didnt marry even? looking at who was bor where, it does look like they were in Hull area

Thanks folks. You have found the right Maria (surname transcribed wrongly on quite a few occasions). I don't know if she had a middle name, but I will check the William and Caroline marriage, although that would mean they didn't marry until they had had at least 2 children together, but were married by the 1891 census. Yes the family were living in Hull at the time of the 1891 and 1901 census, Maria having moved there sometime between 1872 and 1878. They were still there at her death in 1926. I'm beginning to think they didn't marry, the only reason I wanted to find their marriage was so that I could find George's father's name and find out more about his parents. Also, I had thought of synagogues etc. for George's parents, as I have a sneaky suspicion that they might have been Jewish, also I wonder if Wright is an Anglicised version of a Jewish name. I'll keep trying. Liz ps. Sorry for the delay in replying to you, but my newest grandson (age 2 months) has been visiting this afternoon. I think a trip to the National Archives is called for.

What was Maria's maiden name or married name?

Hello Guardian Angel Maiden name Collett, then first married name Alden, but I would prefer that none of you search for that family further back than the 1891 census, (because of the wishes of the Alden/Collett GR members) unless you are looking for George Wright, who is my connection to the family. Many thanks. Liz ps. Sorry for any delay in replying, after having the visit from my youngest grandson, I then had a visit from my number 3 grandson and his dad, and then went out with my daughter to see another 2 grandchildren in a gym display. This is the day I was hoping to have all to myself as my husband is away until midnight. Oh well best laid plans etc.

Just asking to see if I could find a marriage for George and Maria as you didn't say what her maiden name was. Not sure I understand why they don't want you or us to look further back for Maria and her family. Can't find a marriage perhaps they never married or they did it just hasn't been transcribed yet. Best wishes. GA.

Sorry Guardian Angel, I probably didn't make myself clear. I have Maria's family going back to her grandparents, so I don't need any more information on her, only the marriage, if there was one, to George William Wright as he is the one that nobody can find before 1891. As he has such a common name and was apparently born in London, looking for his birth is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I have found about 4 deaths which could be him, so I may just have to get all 4 certificates. The other member of the family I am in touch with doesn't like info about the Collett/Alden part of the family to be out in the open only for the same reason as lots of other GR members, that it has been hi-jacked by people with similar names and added wrongly to their own families. I'm fine with that and must respect her wishes. As the only connection she has with George is that he married Maria, I am happy for anyone to find George. I thought I had found him yesterday, I found a G W Wright whose mother appeared to have been born in Spain. First problem was he would only have been 17 when my gran was born (and by that time Maria was about 42, then I found this particular lady was not born in Spain at all, but somewhere called Spurn which is in Yorkshire. Oh well back to the drawing board. Liz

Well best of luck with your search. It's a pain when it is such a popular name. GA.