Genealogy Chat

I only started to explore my family tree last week and I'm a bit stuck and hoping that some kind soul can advise. I know my grandmothers name and I've found the entry for her marriage and have ordered a certificate, and also a certificate for my dads birth. However when I looked through the relevant years listings for births looking for the entry for that, the only people with the right name were registered a long way from where her and my grandad were married. My questions are, how likely is it that people would have moved hundreds of miles around 1900? Will her marriage certifiate show where she was born ? and also what was the average age for people to get married and have kids back then ? She was married in 1918 and had my dad in 1922, he wasn't the youngest of her children I think the youngest was born about 1934. I have searched through birth records from 1895 to 1905. Any ideas anyone ?

Would you mind giving us the names & places Jeanette, I'd like to help.

Hi Jeanette It is possible for people to move around. Which areas are you looking at? I have family who, quite possibly hopped on a boat on the Thames to move to Shepperton/Sunbury. The best thing to do is have an open mind really. A lot of my women were late teens, early twenties when they married/had children. Don't forget the possibility as well that there may have been earlier children, who may have died. It will be interesting to see your certificate when it arrives. It may give you some more info. Sarah

My Grandmother was called Elizabeth M Rudd and thats about all I know about her. Her husband was John James Morgan they were married in Pembroke in 1918. Dads name was William Jason Morgan born in Pembroke in 1922. I always assumed that both his parents originated from Wales, but having found out that his mums name was Rudd, that doesnt sound very Welsh. Thanks for your help.

Oh of the Elizabeth M Rudds I found in the ten years I searched I found one in Wigan and one in Islington, there were lots and lots of Elizabeths with no middle name listed, I suppose she could be one of those, I didnt see any in or close to Wales though. Is there a map anywhere showing the various parishes? I may have not recognised a name of a parish that could actually be closer.

A marriage certificate (I have my great gradmothers M1908) only gives the residence at the time of marriage. Not place of birth. It does give occupations & the fathers' name of the bride & groom though, all helpful stuff. I'm looking for you Jeanette, I'll let you know if I come up with anything. Do you know when she died? If so, her age at death?

I re read your first post Jeanette, I can see the years you've searched for her birth. Is that you taking an educated guess at her age when she married? Or do you know it? I have other Elizabeth m Rudd's, older than that though. BIRTHS Sep 1899 Rudd Elizabeth Mary....Hendon(19 when married) BIRTHS Mar 1897 Rudd Elizabeth Millicent....Islington(21 when married) BIRTHS Mar 1893 Rudd Elizabeth Maud....Holborn(25 when married) BIRTHS Jun 1887 Rudd Elizabeth May....Ipswich (31 when married) The eldest one would still only be 35 when she had your Dad, women had babies well into their forties. HTH

Jeanette Some of my husband's family moved back and forth from Hull to Milford Haven. The distance did not seem to matter. Don't forget the railways were in their heyday then and travel was very easy compared to the early 19C. Anne

Thanks for helping I was guessing at her date of birth, I know that she married in 1918 so I was kind of assuming 20 something for marrying. She died before I was born so pre 1971, but her husband was still alive and died around 72/73 aged around 80. I found quite a few possible Elizabeth Rudds but none close to where she married. How would I narrow the possibles down ?

Just had a thought, when the marriage certificate arrives, will that have her middle name on it rather than just the initial - if so that would probably clinch it. I also have another question, sorry to be a pain, dad was registered as a Morgan, but the listing for the marriage of his mum and dad is under Morgans. I have found possible birth listings for my dads dad under Morgans, could familys just drop the "S" or is it likely to be a recording error ? Thanks everyone for being so helpful, I'm sure I'll get better at this sooner or later !