Genealogy Chat

How often do you suspect that ancestors never got around to tying the knot? I've bought a birth certificate to find the mother's maiden name but still can't find a marriage. I am doubting there is one now but would appreciate any second opinions. father - Frank Henry Steptoe mother - Elizabeth Mathison father tracked back to birth and born 1868 Surrey. Elizabeth on 1901 census as wife to Frank Henry and her birth is around 1868 too supposedly in Southall, Mddx. Birth certificate was for daughter Agnes Mary b1893 Lambeth. Have looked for marriage in all areas and all reasonable dates but no luck. Can't find Frank Henry on 1891 census either so can't confirm whether he was with Elizabeth before or after. Frustrating ain't it :-(

1881 census... Name: Frank H. Steptoe Age: 13 Estimated birth year: abt 1868 Relation: Son Father's name: James Mother's name: Mary Gender: Male Where born: Horsell, Surrey, England Civil parish: Chertsey County/Island: Surrey Country: England Street address: Addlestone Moor Education: Employment status: View image Occupation: Cowboy (A L) Registration district: Chertsey Sub-registration district: Chertsey ED, institution, or vessel: 11 Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Alice E. Steptoe 3 Annie Steptoe 5 Frank H. Steptoe 13 Frederick I. Steptoe 1 James Steptoe 38 John Steptoe 9 Joseph E. Steptoe 7 Mary Steptoe 32 Sarah S. Steptoe 11 Georgina.

Hi Cheryl, Me, too. I still could not find my ggg grandparents, Ambrose de Grussa and his wife Catherine Hopkins for years. They would be married mid 1850s in Surrey. They were in 1861 census. I have some birth certificates of their children. All appeared their mother's maiden. de Grussa is not common surname so it would be easy to find it! Keep looking. Cheers, Steven from Australia.

I have the same problem with my great grandparents. Can't find a marriage anywhere.She has herself as Nee Whitehouse on the childrens birth certs and herself as White (married name) on the deeds for their grave but I've have given up looking. Urban Girl, never assume that just because they have a maiden name on that they have actually been married, I've learnt that one too

Thanks everyone. I will have to assume they weren't married for now which is a nuisance because it means I can't get a handle on the Elizabeth Mathison line. Sorry Georgina but my original post was not clear. I have Frank Henry's line going back the mid 1700s, it's Elizabeth Mathison I am having probs with. Thanks for your work though.

Cheryl What do you call 'all reasonable dates'? My gg grandparents were married in 1909, their first child was born in 1874! It took me ages to find their marriage. He was shown as a widower & I believe he had to wait for his first wife to die as divorce wasn't easily available. My g grandfather's birth certificate (1876) has his mother using her husband's name, formerly her maiden name. Good luck! Angela

Reasonable dates would be anytime after 16 yrs old. Gosh, just a had a thought ...... Hadn't checked the Scottish and Welsh censuses but no, not there.

Reasonable date 'after reaching age 16' ? Why? Raising the age of marriage for girls from 12 to 16 is quite recent. Clive