Genealogy Chat

Hi I seem to be going round in circles with this one. I'm searching for Harry Harris. I'm not sure where or what year he was born. I know that he married Ann Blissenden in 1901 but I can't find them on the census. Ann was born in Poplar, London in 1879 and I think her father is related to the Blissendens of Kent but can't confirm this yet. I've checked through the indexes but there are so many Harry Harris'! Has anyone got any suggestions so that I can eliminate some of them from my list? Thanks for your help. Kind regards Ange

Hi Have you got a copy of Harry's marriage certificate? It most likely will have the name and occupation of his father and the bride's father. (Some don't when father not known). Some certificates also give age of spouses although many will just say 'full', which is annoying! This would give you some chance of narrowing them down though. You might then be able to find them in census earlier as well as searching 1901. Good luck Ann

Angela, First thing you should do is to get their marriage certificate. You can then look up the addresses listed on the 1901 census. You will also have father's names. Crista

Angela, Ann is listed as Annie Blessenden. Her father was William. Crista

If you find Harry Harris, please ask him if he has a sister Hannah Jane born in 1871/2. Hannah (my paternal grandmother) and her father Charles just don't appear anywhere! Birth district looks OK.

Oh, and another thought, Harry is a popular name for Henry as well ... just to keep you on your toes. Ann

I agree with everyone apply for that marriage certificate, and I have a family member called Harry only to discover he was actually a Henry!!! also check out Harolds to! And as for common names I have Jones, Smith and Cook on my tree!!! it is not funny, thank goodness for middle names!

Thanks to all who replied. I am due a trip up to the London offices at the end of the month so will try and find their marriage cert. Message to Crista in the US:- Where did you find Annie Blessenden? Thanks! Ange

Angela See if you can find the marriage on Freebmd first that will save a lot of time for you. Try Ann's first and see if you can find Harry's name by clicking on the page number. You should get 4 names, if there are not 4, 2 + 2 then its possible they haven't completed transcribing yet. Make a note of the qtr vol and page number and when you go to London Check that quarter to see if you can find a match for Henry. If you have the first childs birth, then they may have got married close by. Good Luck Irene

Angela I have found the marriage June qtr, District Stepney, volume 1c page 565, both are there. If you want to order it you can on line, cost £7.00 the same if you are in London, it should take about two weeks, this may give you a head start for when you go to London. Irene

Don't know if this is where Crista looked but Annie Blessenden is on 1901 index: London Limehouse Annie Blessenden 21 Laundress born London Poplar