Genealogy Chat

Rather long winded so see in a mo. Jennifer

Before I finally admit defeat and accept there was no marriage, I thought I would make one last attempt to find the marriage of my great-grandparents. As I search again myself, I thought perhaps fresh eyes can find an entry I have missed There should be a marriage between Peter DUNCAN and Sarah Ann AKHURST some time between May 1877 and November 1896, there is no obvious impediment to the marriage which I would expect a to have taken place in the Medway towns; they both always lived in Chatham or Gillingham. It would be a second marriage for both of them, Sarah’s first husband Arthur died in July 1872, and Peter’s wife Elizabeth died in May 1877. I have the certificates for both these marriages and the appropriate death certificates for their spouses. The union between Peter and Sarah produced a daughter Alice in 1879 and a son Andrew in 1881, both birth certificates read as if the parents were married, the mother’s name is Sarah DUNCAN late AKHURST formerly THORN; Peter DUNCAN was the informant in each instance. I have searched the marriage images on Ancestry from the death of Peter’s first wife in 1877 up to his Peter’s death in 1896. I have trawled through all the Parish Registers of Chatham and the surrounding Medway towns for the appropriate period, and found zilch. If anyone can find the missing marriage I should be eternally grateful. Living in hope. Jennifer

Hello Jennifer Nothing showing at all. I didn't put a date or a place, still nothing. Babz :-(

Thanks for trying Baz. Jennifer

This is a real longshot but i do not trust bmd records. There is a full page of names and i have looked at full images for Peter to no avail. Sarah Ann Hakhurst 1880 Oct-Nov-Dec Medway (1837-1941) Kent There is also the vague possibility that the marriage(?) did not reach the GRO.

Thank you Jim, I am aware that a lot of marriages failed to make it to the GRO Index, particularly at that time, that is why I have spent days hours trawling through the Marriage registers of all the Medway towns in the hope that it was the case. My only hope now, is that it may have taken place outside that area and someone may come accross it by chance. Jennifer

Jennifer I have started looking for you - and will keep you posted. I found them in the 1881 Census and their name is spelt Ducan! Will look again this evening when I get home and send you another message. Regards Shirley

Thank you Shirley, I have all the census records, the family baptisms and other marriages and burials. I can take Peter's family back to the 1700s and Sarah's family to 1612, it is just their marriage that I would like to find to round off the picture. I posted the request in the vain hope that someone might spot an entry I had missed. It is looking more and more likely that there was no marriage after all. Many thanks. Jennifer

Jennifer, Regret have been unable to find any marriage between Peter and Sarah despite exhaustive searches through various engines I am a member of. Sorry could not be of help - hate being defeated!! Regards Shirley