Genealogy Chat

Hi All,
Really stuck on trying to find my Gran!
Elsie May Churchill married Joseph Edward Hansford in 1919 (no problems with tracing Grandad's ancestors), but Gran is proving difficult.
There are about 5 possibilites on the 1901 census, and I don't know how to find out the correct parents for 'my' Elsie.
My Aunts - Elsie's daughters, don't remember any of the names of their Grandparents. Closest 'fit' is an Elsie born in 1898, parents Frederick Churchill & Ann Larcombe. dob 24 June (which is the date Gran celebrated her birthday) who has brothers called George and Henry (Gran did too). Would you say that was enough 'evidence'?
Sketchy info from family is as follows. Connection to Spencers (!),Gran was supposed to have been disowned by her fam because she married Grandad (an Ag Lab) - but all the Elsies I've found have similar humble origins, so it doesn't make sense.
Gran was supposed to be related to the Queen Mother (??)
On the marriage cert, there is no info whatsoever on Gran, except her age (21) - no parental details at all, no occupation, no residence (??!!)
Been tearing my hair out with this, so I'd be sooooooo grateful for any advice/guidance/ideas . . . . Thanks :o)

ooops


just read to the end wherre you say that her marriage certificate doesn't ahve any information except her age.



This does rather imply that she did not have a father.

Have you found any persons of the right age with a mother only??



sylvia

Where did the marriage take place? Is it in the same area that you found the birth certificate for the one with the correct birthday?

Who were the witnesses on the marriage certificate? Do they give any clues or have you found them on the 1901 census?

Kath. x

Given there is so little info on the marriage cert , i myself would be inclined to contact the issuing office to see if all the details have been added to the cert.it seems somewhat lacking!

is it hand written/typed or a photocopy?

Did Gran die after 1969?
Was her husband still alive?

Maybe the informant of her death was able to state a birthplace which started to be recorded on death certs. in 1969.

Gwyn

Hi All, Thanks for replying :o)
Sylvia - no, all seem to have both parents.
I've looked for Elsie Churchill, Elizabeth Churchill (as I understand that Elsie can be a shortened form of Elizabeth), and also Elsie/Elizabeth Spencer - just can't see where to go now - it really is like looking for a needle in a haystack! Need more firm evidence to pin down 'my' Elsie!
Kath - Yes, marriage was Beaminster or Salway Ash, birth was Allington, reg Bridport.
No details of witnesses either on the marriage certificate - it certainly seems to lack all useful information :o/
Minnie - Yes, think this is my only option, will contact Dorchester RO, and see if they can throw any light on this, it seems to be a photocopy - but no one I've spoken to seems to have encountered a marriage cert with so little info on it :o(
Gwyn - Yes, Gran died in 1973, Grandad died in 1967. Will check out death details for place of birth, thanks!
Jess.

There must definitely by something wrong with the marriage certificate - you can't have a marriage without witnesses and they have to sign the register!!

Kath. x

Are you certain the Elsie May died in 1973? I can't find a death registered for an Elsie M. Hansford (although there are a couple without the middle initial).

Kath. x

Hi Von and Kath, thanks for your replies!
Von - yes, I will definately try this, I believe I have a centre near me, so hopefully some further info. may be available.
Kath - I agree. Everyone I talk to finds it hard to believe that there is nothing at all regarding my Grandmother's details.
Yes, My Gran died in 1973, the death was registered in Bedford (She was, by that time, living with one of her daughters), it is under Elsie Hansford 6a p126 - it has her date of birth as 24th June 1895 (This complicates the thing even further!) The only birth of an Elsie May Churchill in 1895 was 3rd June, and she died in 1897. Can't seem to get off the ground with this - feeling really fed up :o(