George and Mary Francis - married and disappeared

[dragonlady403]

On Feb 19 1860 at Christchurch in the South Hamlet of Glos (near Stroud) - a marriage took place between George Francis (full age bachelor) listed as a ropemaker (his father is listed as John, Francis, a labourer) and Mary Elizabeth Reece (minor b 1839) spinster (with her father listed as William Reece a Harbormaster).

The marriage was witnessed by William and Elizabeth Lloyd.

I have a fair bit of information about Mary prior to this marriage-  but know nothing of George except his father’s name.  There is a George Francis listed as born out of the UK but I have a hunch it is not the correct person.

After the marriage these folks seem to just disappear.  It is possible they ended up in NZ but that is highly speculative.

If anyone could assist with helping to track them down (or finding more out about George’s past) I would be most appreciative!
Regards, Carol

[CaroleW]

Where was Mary Elizabeth Reece born?

[keyboard86]

Hi a possible 1861 for George Francis?

John Francis 62 Widower occ Shipwrights Lab b Dorsetshire
George  25 Married occ Ropemaker b Shillingstone
Residing in Poole, Dorset
Census ref RG09/1341/20/33
Keyboard86

[keyboard86]

Either the age of John in above 1861 or this 1851 is incorrect suspect 1851, will check original/s, as he is a Widower in 1851 aged 33 occ Labourer,  George aged 15 b Shillington?
Census ref HO107/1855/293/58
Keyboard86

[dragonlady403]

Hi there - thanks so much for the assistance folks, driving myself crazy trying to locate them.

Mary Elizabeth Reece was born in the July qtr of 1839 in South Hamlet, outside Stroud, Glos.

Keyboard 86 - The info I have for George Francis is obtained from their marriage cert (I have a copy)
Thanks and regards, Carol

[keyboard86]

Hi again,  in 1871?

George Francis 30 Widower occ Ropemaker b Lychett, Dorset
William 10 b Poole
George 7 b Poole
Lodging with a Sarah Kent and family at Langland Street. Poole
Census ref RG10/1988/40/23
Keyboard86

[dragonlady403]

Hmm I have been wondering how a Dorset kid working as a ropemaker would end up in Glos marrying a local girl then go back to Dorset pretty much immediately. 

But it has occurred to me that Mary Reece's father was a deputy harbormaster at Llanthony Bridge in Glos.

Perhaps George was working on barges and met her that way?  I wonder if there is a way to check that to validate/negate the theory?

The information you have provided about the father and their occupations certainly seems in line with the info on the marriage cert.

Regards, Carol

 

[keyboard86]

Hi again,  I must admit I thought it odd!

George still a Ropmaker with sons William 19 and George 17 in 1881
Census ref RG11/2095/16/25
Keyboard86

PS a birth certificate of one of the above children would provide Mother and her maiden name?!

[dragonlady403]

The 1871 info could work because their eldest is 10 which would mean they married around 1861 which fits with the marriage cert info.
Regards, Carol

p.s. Mary had an illegitimate boy Godfrey Reece Gould with an Alfred August Gould (who promptly took off to Yorkshire and fathered other children).  The year she married Francis the boy Godfrey was placed in care with a pauper family called Parstoe in 1861 and within 5 years ended up in NZ (he is my direct relative). 

I have lots of info on him as an adult in NZ but nothing between when he was 6 and when he was an adult (1880) so I am trying to work backwards through his mother's activities to see if I can find out any more.