With regard to getting certificates -- If you go back a generation in my family, a marriage certificate gives the bridegroom's father's name --- except that there was no such person!!!!!!!
The information on any bdm certificate is only as accurate as the knowledge of the informant. Of course it is your choice whether or not to purchase an online certificate to validate the research. Surely there was other identify information on your marriage certificate ie if it was an Australian Certificate.
Information on
Victorian Marriage Certificates
Date and place of marriage;
name and surnames;
conjugal condition, whether bachelor or spinster, widow or widower,
stating date of decease of former wife or husband;
children by each former marriage;
birthplace; occupation;
age; residence (present and usual);
parent's names of each party (including mother's maiden name) and occupation of father; signatures of the parties and witnesses;
signature of Minister. Prior to 1963 the date of termination of previous marriages of the parties is also shown.
The children born to Joseph and Jane are - [I missed a few due to spelling variations of the surname...thanks Essie
] And note that Mary J was the third dau....so it would appear that Marcella was an elder sister.
If you purchase any of the following birth certificates it will show the names of the previous children of the marriage and their ages. Also note the usual 2 year gap between most of the births. I think Marcella was born either 1871 or 1872 and her age at death is incorrect. Probably correct on that marriage cert as she would have needed parental consent to marry in 1889 even if born c1869.
Births
GARRETT Thomas
Father Joseph Mother Jane MURTHA
At Cowwarr 1873 Reg#15862 Died Cheltenham 1953 79 years Reg#4072
GARRETT Ellen
Dau# 2Father Joseph Mother Jane MURTHA
At Cowwarr 1875 Reg#1659
GARRETT William
Father Joseph Mother Jane MURTHA
At Cowwarr 1877 Reg#8152 Died Hotham 1931 54 years Reg#9839
GARRET Joseph
Father Joseph Mother Jane MURTHA
At Cowwarr 1879 Reg#15279
GARRET Mary
Dau#3 according to the marriage notice in 1900.
Father Joseph Mother Jane MARTHA
At Cowwarr 1881 Reg#8557 Died as Mary McGRATH at Bentleigh 1962 81 years Reg#9688
GARRETT Eliza
Father Joseph Mother Jane MARTHA
At Cowwarr 1883 Reg#8423 Died as Eliza McGRATH at Fitzroy 1963 80 years Reg#22750
No birth registration
GARRETT Gregory born c1885. Died 1960 at Werribee aged 75 years. Reg#26435
Parents Joseph GARRETT and Jane MURTAGH.
GARRETT Edward Stephen
Father Joseph Mother Jane MURTHA
At Cowwarr 1887 Reg#27607 Died at Sale 1946 58 years Reg#17366
GARRETT James
Father Joseph Mother Jane MURTHA
At Cowwarr 1890 Reg#31620 Died 1970 Bunyip 79 years Reg#20827
I suggested you view Joseph's and Jane's probate file available online but I have just been advised by the Public Records of Victoria that the digitised wills will probably not be available again until next week. It is a public holiday in Victoria tomorrow however their techs are working on the problem now.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59436344Administrators of Joseph's estate selling machinery and stock.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article67395565Application for probate by the executors of Jane's Will.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71544491 - ?too much Christmas cheer
Traralgon Record and Morwell, Mirboo,Toongabbie, Heyfield,Tyers and Callignee Advertiser 25 Jan 1884
TOONGABBIE POLICE COURT.
At Toongabbie Police Court on Tuesday, before a bench of magistrates, Joseph Garrett was fined 10s for insulting behaviour at Cower on last Christmas Day.
Either Joseph's or Jane's death certificate will list all the chn of the marriage both living and deceased at the times of their respective deaths.
Cheers
Cando