Genealogy Chat

Can I have some help with this mystery please?

At first I thought that Thomas Church had married 2 different Sarah’s as Sarah’s details differ so much between 51 & 61 Census. I am certain it is the same family although the children in the 51 Census are no longer at home in 61 ( I have found them all elsewhere, the older ones servants in London and the youngest living with an Aunt and Uncle in Wiltshire). This made me think that the first Sarah had died maybe in childbirth. But….. Birth Cert for daughter Alice Flora born 1858 names Sarah nee Wayling as Mother and the only marriage for Thomas Church and Sarah Wayling is in 1841: Marriages Sep 1841 CHURCH Thomas Hungerford 6 285 Wailing Sarah Hungerford 6 285 Also….. If Sarah is only 27 in 1851 she was only 17 when she got married to a 32 year old man. The oldest child I have found was born in 1845, obviously there could be others I haven’t found yet. I can’t find either Thomas or Sarah in 1841. 1851 Census Elcott Cottages, Kintbury Source Citation: Class: HO107; Piece: 1686; Folio: 12; Page: 16; GSU roll: 193594. Thomas Church age 42 Ag Lab born Kintbury, Berks Sarah Church Wife age 27 born Kingsclere, Hampshire, England 1861 Census Elcott, Kintbury Source Citation: Class: RG9; Piece: 723; Folio: 7; Page: 7; GSU roll: 542691. Thomas Church age 52 Ag lab born Kintbury, Berks Sarah Church Wife age 46 born Welford, Berkshire, England

There could be 2 women but the only way to prove it will be to find a death and a marriage between 1858 and 1861. It is possible as it happened to my G grandfather, his first wife died in the May and he was remarried by Sept!! I suppose when you had children to look after and no social services the only thing to do was to get another wife ASAP. Jennifer

There is a death of a Sarah Church in March 1859 in Wycombe District (it spans the counties of Bucks and Oxfordshire) Jennifer

I found a Sarah Church death Sept 1859 in Wallingford Berks but to confuse matters the youngest child was born in 1860, the most likely match I have found was born June 1860 ........ grrrrrrr how selfish of Thomas to marry 2 Sarah's if indeed he did.

Hi I think you're right - Sarah is 27 in 1851. Pershaps you should search the local record offices? What weekend are you free and I'll book a hotel! ;) Robert

death Thomas Church abt 1810 1870 Apr-May-Jun Hungerford Berkshire, Hampshire, marriage Thomas Church 1869 Oct-Nov-Dec Hungerford Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire Sarah Sophia Gilbert 1869 Oct-Nov-Dec Hungerford Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire Some of mine made it official not long before death.

Thanx Jim, I did find that one but kind of dismissed it as it was so late, maybe i will have to buy that cert ( i have to give up a bottle of wine to buy a cert lol). I know it took my Dad ages to find his Grandparents marriage as they were married after their 2 sons were born ( they waited for Grannies first husband to die!).

Robert, I don't spend the weekend in Berkshire with just any old genealogist you know!!!!! ;) dizzy

Have you had any more luck?

This might be Thomas and Hannah in 1841. The image is impossible to see but I can read Elcott. Name Estimated birth year Birthplace Civil parish County/Island View Image View Record Charles Cha?? abt 1836 Berkshire, England Kintbury Berkshire View Record George Cha?? abt 1836 Berkshire, England Kintbury Berkshire View Record Hannah Cha?? abt 1806 Berkshire, England Kintbury Berkshire View Record Henry Cha?? abt 1838 Berkshire, England Kintbury Berkshire View Record Jane Cha?? abt 1821 Berkshire, England Kintbury Berkshire View Record Thomas Cha?? abt 1811 Berkshire, England Kintbury Berkshire View Record William Cha?? abt 1786 Berkshire, England Kintbury Berkshire Rose

I have just noticed your reply Rose. I had seen that census but i couldnt read it at all appart from the Elcott bit. I tried everything to make it readable, how on earth did you do it? dizzy

Dizzy, That's the transcription from Ancestry. If you tilt your screen you can see a bit more. Rose