Genealogy Chat

I can't find any Mary/William combinations in Nottinghamshire which look likely, all the Williams have more specific occupations than labourer. The only one in Lincolnshire that caught my eye was this family in Willoughby which is a few miles south east of Louth, towards Skegness. William Smith 47 Ag Lab born Lincs.Glentam (Glentham?) Annie E 47 born Lincs. North Elkington (can't find this place) Charles E 17 Ag Lab born Lincs.Toothby (Sloothby?) MARY 8 born Lincs.Toothby (Sloothby?) John W 4 born Lincs.Beesby You mention 'family knowledge' so there's still someone around who remembers her? Do they know the names of any siblings, that would be really helpful... I have to pick kids up from school so will check out witnesses in a bit.

Hi Helen, The witnesess,at my Great Granmothers wedding were,Arthur Hall and a Martha Nicholson.The wedding took place at St James Church Louth Lincs. Again many thanks for those who have taken time,in my quest into finding out my G/Grandmothers history.

Don't panic too much over Smiths, they aren't really that bad to research! If there is any truth in the Southwell story and assuming Mary did live in the Parish, there are actually only a few possible births registered of Mary Smiths between 1888-1895. Births Dec 1888 SMITH Mary Hetty Southwell 7b 382 Births Dec 1889 Smith Mary Southwell 7b 376 Births Mar 1894 Smith Mary Southwell 7b 426 Smith Mary Elizabeth Southwell 7b 421 I'll have a look at the 1901 Census and see if anything stands out.

There's two ways of looking at the age. 1. The death informant was guessing when she was born 2. Mary fibbed when she married (or honestly didn't know her age) so she appeared to be over 21 and didn't need parents consent. Could you post the names of the marriage witnesses, they are often family members and may help us find Mary in 1901.

Thanks Gywenth,will try all avenues.

Her death registration gives her birthdate as 8 Feb 1894, .... but the informant is likely to be the person who organised the gravestone. If you think there is likely to be truth in the baptism story, it might be an idea to check the records there and see if Mary is mentioned. Do you know her mother's name, as there are likely to be a few Mary Smiths? The date of birth might even be recorded there, if you are lucky. Gwyn

Sorry Bernie, I didn't realise it was a Mary Smith you were after! LOL! Rose

Mary Smith b 1894 (according to Gravestone) 1889 (according to marriage cert).Married Ernest Archer 1914 in Louth Lincs.Died 1969 Louth Lincs.Fathers name (according to marriage cert) William Smith, Labourer.Also according to family knowledge she was born in Notts,and was christened at Southwell Cathedral.again l cant say this is true. Thanks for the time you may take.

Bernie, Post her details here. Perhaps we can find her on a census. Rose

Thanks Richard,l will try that.

I guess the best way is to try and find her brith on FreeBMD and then order her birth certificate through GRO. That should give you not only her correct date of birth and fathers name, but also her mthers maiden name and possibly allow you to research further back. Good luck! Richard

l am having a problem regarding my Great Grandmother,and finding out her exact date of birth. On her marriage cert,it has her age and her fathers name and occupation,but the age on cert does not match with that on her gravestone. How much information can l take as true,thats on her marriage cert.? Then to add,to what l have already said,another family member,has mentioned that the fathers name on the cert isnt true neither. Could any kind person out there,PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE,help get rid of the head ache l have,regarding my family tree.