Genealogy Chat

Parish records show Sarah Suter aged 46 married to James Churcher aged 60 in October 1887. Sarah's dad shown as Thomas Joseph Suter (bootmaker), James's dad is dead. How come I cannot find this Sarah Suter on the 1881 Census? - I can find my Sarah Suter (aged 30) on the 1881 living at home with dad Thomas Suter (tailor) and she is still Sarah Suter aged 50 living in the same house, single lady on the 1901 Census. I can find James Churcher on the 1881 with his first wife and children. Haven't looked any further for him. I have discounted Sarah fibbing about her age, because surely she wouldn't have lied about her age by 10 years to marry a bloke of 60!! (He was listed as a gardener by the way in 1881, so I don't suppose it was his money she was after - unless he found the crock of gold!) Where did Sarah and her father Thomas Joseph Suter come from - Mars?? Where were they in 1881 if they were around in 1887? Help, oh help - it's doing my head in!!! Jacqui

This looks like your James in 1901: James Churcher 73 Hants Shirley Southampton Alverstoke Retired Gardener Sarah Churcher 60 London Southampton Alverstoke I don't whether that helps George

Thanks George, I hadn't bothered to look on 1901 as I couldn't find Sarah on the 1881 and that is really what I'm trying to find out about. Sarah Churcher (nee Suter) couldn't be my Sarah Suter, but as a matter of interest I wanted to find out about her, as she apparently lived in the same area as my Sarah, her dad had the same name as my grt-grt-grandad (but wasn't him) and I'm going off on a tangent as I cannot seem to get things straight in my mind! Know the feeling? Jacqui

Jaqui, I assume you have tried different spellings. If you know her place and date of birth (roughly) you can searth the 1881 census on IGI just using that info, and find all the Sarahs born in that place and year, which should turn her up if she is there. Pam

Hi Pamela - sorry I should have said that I have tried all ways to trace this elusive Sarah - just been on 1881 again to see if there is anything I might have missed, but no - she is not there. I have a feeling she would have been a local lassie (Alverstoke) as the Suters and Churchers were local people - loads of them around in the 1800's in and around Alverstoke and it's strange but I have always thought that the Churcher family would be an interesting family to trace (not aware at that time that there is a possibility that one of mine might have married one of theirs) but this lady is proving to be a bit of mystery. Will keep trying. Thanks for your input. Jacqui

Sorry Jacqui you have lost me!! Are there 2 Sarah Suters then?? Which one are you looking for?? Need words of one syllable or less at this time of night please!! Maz. XX

Hi Jacqueline, I'm a bit confused about how many Sarah Suter's we're looking for too, but found these on the 1891, if it helps at all: At Farmhome Villa, Alverstoke: James Churcher Head 63 Retired Gardener bn Whickham Hants Sarah Churcher Wife 50 bn London City Fredk R Barker Boarder Marr 38 Surgeon (Army) bn Stoke on Trent Staffs Annie J Barker Boarder Marr 32 bn Stone?, Staffs Caroline Coleman Visitor Single 60 bn Stone, Staffs And At 20 Albert St, Alverstoke: Thomas Suter Head Wid 72 Tailor bn Gosport Hants Sarah J Suter Daur Single 40 Tailoress bn Gosport Hants Hope this helps Debbie

Jacqueline PS There is a marriage on freebmd for 1873 Lambeth for a Sarah Suter (unfortunately no grooms). Isn't it possible in 1881 she's married to someone else? Debbie

Maybe Sarah married a cousin Suter and they moved away, Sarah moving back when hubby died?

Sorry folks - probably one of my less lucid moments. There are indeed TWO Sarah Suters. Mine lives in Alverstoke with her dad Thomas. I came across the other Sarah Suter (the one who married the old gardener and whose dad was also called Thomas) whilst searching generally. As this Sarah and James Churcher were married in Alverstoke (and the Churchers are Alverstoke folk) I thought there might be a liklihood of the elder Sarah being related to me and have tried to find out more about the woman. But I cannot find her in 1881 - There's a strong possibility now that I know here birthplace was London that she's nothing to do with me, however the reason she is not apparent on the 1881 is beyond me - and that's why the cry for help. Thanks for all your assistance - I will try to be more comprehensive next time - I told you she was doing my brain in!!! Jacqui