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When Great Great Grandmothers are born overseas

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Susan

Susan Report 4 Feb 2007 20:01

My jewish GG Grandmother Mary Ann Kurtz was born in Vienna in 1821, and married here in 1838 in Norwich. Would anyone have any ideas how I could check her entry into the country? I've no idea whether she arrived alone or with her family. Would a marriage certificate be available as I have the actual date? Hope all this makes sense as I'm a bit of a novice. Many thanks anyway.

Gwyn in Kent

Gwyn in Kent Report 4 Feb 2007 20:27

If she married in Norwich in 1838 you should be able to find the registration on GRO records and could send for a copy of the marriage certificate. Check the Ancestry site. Free to search the bmd indexes once you have registered. Gwyn

Susan

Susan Report 4 Feb 2007 20:54

Thanks for that Gwyn

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 4 Feb 2007 20:59

This is the marriage reference:- Mary Ann Kurtz Dec. qtr. 1838, Norwich, 13, 670 Kath. x

Susan

Susan Report 4 Feb 2007 23:09

Many thanks Kath

Susan

Susan Report 13 Feb 2007 21:18

Through Kathleen's help I now have a copy of the marriage certificate for Charles Clarke & Mary Ann Kurtz. However, her father's name, surname, & rank are blank. Would anyone have any ideas where I can go next to find out more about her?

Susan

Susan Report 14 Feb 2007 19:23

nudge

Chris in Sussex

Chris in Sussex Report 14 Feb 2007 21:21

Susan If her Father's name and Occupation is blank/crossed through on a marriage certificate it generally means she didn't know who her father was, so therefore, illegitimate. You originally said Mary Ann was Jewish....Did she marry in a Synagogoue? If so the cert would say 'married under the 'Rights and Usages of the Jews'...Or similar. If her own mother could prove a Jewish heritage (linage is from the mother not a father!) she could happily marry in a Synagogue without having to prove or 'present' a father. If she married in a Register Office it could mean that she was illegitimate or she had married 'Out' and therefore didn't name her father as she had been disowned by her family. Info from my OH who is Jewish :) Chris *** Just realised 1838 marriage**** OH thinks if the marriage didn't take place in a Synagogue then she deffinetly married out and probably in the Husband's church. But that would also raise the question.....Was she ever actually Jewish??? 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/

Susan

Susan Report 15 Feb 2007 15:35

Thanks Chris. They had a civil wedding. Yes, Mary Ann was Jewish and all her children were born into the faith, up to and including my grandfather (2nd generation) who also married in. I guess I'll never be able to find out how she got to this country. It just seems like a brave step for a girl in 1820.