Richard Mellings marriage(s) to Rachel - West or Wressell?

[groom]

Groom, how would that work?  Are you thinking '1. maiden name and 2. married name from a first marriage'?

Yes. If she married for a second time she would be married using her married name not her maiden one. Any idea of how old she was at the time of marriage? If she was about the same age as Richard ie about 30, that would give time.

[estiman]

The only record I have found so far is Rachel West born Ripponden, Yorkshire, 1774 - too young.

If she were using her married name when re-marrying, why the inconsistency?

[estiman]

Rachel Melling was 85 on the 1851 census, according to which she was born in Barrow, Lincs.  I haven't found her baptism yet but if she was born in 1766 it's possible she was married before the 1794 Melling marriage.  Would the Notts record show if she was a widow?

I'll try and follow the Barrow, Lincs, lead for her birth under West or Wressell.

Thanks for the remarriage idea, Groom.

[groom]

Look on FamilySearch

Rachel Wressel baptised 10th October 1765, Barrow, Lincs. father Samuel, mother Martha.

https://familysearch.org/search/record/results?count=20&query=%2Bgivenname%3ARachel~%20%2Bsurname%3AWressell~%20%2Brecord_country%3AEngland%20%2Brecord_subcountry%3A%22England%2CLincolnshire%22%20%2Bbirth_place%3A%22Barrow%20Lincolnshire%22~%20%2Bbirth_year%3A1764-1767~

[estiman]

....minds think alike.    I've just been on FamilySearch too and was delighted to see that, not only was there a reference but also that the film is available here.  I have 1765 for the baptism.  Now to find the first marriage...?

Cheers,
Ray

[jaywit]

You need someone to look at the original record just in case it's maybe unclear and West is a guess by someone.

 If the original does show the 2 surnames clearly then you will need to look for an earlier marriage, so I would hold off until someone can tell you exactly what the original says.

[estiman]

Hi all,

Nottsgirl1 has kindly looked up the original marriage record and the signature shows that Rachel's name was Wressell not West.  Sorted

[nottsgirl1]

hi Ray,

Didn't realise you had two threads on this Richard Mellings marriage so here's marriage details for all those who look at this one.

Marriage St Peters & St Pauls Mansfield 16 Dec 1794.

Richard Mellings of Blyth aged 30yrs a Bachelor  and Rachel Wessell of this parish aged 29yrs a spinster married by banns both signed.  Witnesses were John forester and ?? Lockwood.

NG1

[estiman]

Hi NG1, been away from the pc, just got back.  The lookup was a subsidiary to this thread, as suggested by jaywit.  It's all coming together now.  I ordered the supposed death certificate for 'Rachel Melling'. It all fits. Age given, 89= born 1765, 'widow of Richard Melling'. In attendance Joseph Wass, her son-in-law. She died of 'natural decay'.  There was one additional bonus on the certificate - the profession of Richard was given as 'gardener'.

Thanks to all for inputs.