Marriage John Smith with Caroline Godfrey 1888 in Paris

[KGarrad]

When the marriage entry states "of the parish of xxxx" it does NOT mean they were born there!
It means that was the parish in which they were living.

So all we can infer from the marriage is that, in 1888, he was living in Leiston.

[joger]

Thank you again for What you have done , great job. I give all the infos to the person for whom I did this search. Have a nice day.

[LizzieL]

When the marriage entry states "of the parish of xxxx" it does NOT mean they were born there!
It means that was the parish in which they were living.

So all we can infer from the marriage is that, in 1888, he was living in Leiston.

But weren't they both living in France prior to their marriage? Maybe under the French system the actual place of birth was recorded. i went to a wedding in italy a few years ago and the places of birth of bride and groom and what seemed three generations of their family trees  were read out.

[LizzieL]

The original image on Ancestry shows the marriage date as 13th February, 1888.
Family Search shows the date of marriage as being 16th March, 1888 but there is no image available to check if it was a mistake.

Was the marriage in a private house? It sounds like it from the extract of record quoted. Maybe the religious ceremony when they made their vows in front of priest and witnesses was on 13 feb and the later date was when registered at British Embassy.

[KGarrad]

I'm fairly sure that France, like most European countries, requires a 2-part wedding?
Once in the "Mairie" or Town Hall, and another in church (if that is what you want).

I remember being confused when a French colleague told us he was "going up before the mayor" - which meant he was getting married

[joger]

The marriage took place at the British Embassy in Paris in 1888  The Bride's name should be Godfrey , the forename Caroline , was there a middle name?

Thanks to  all of you.

[joger]

I'm fairly sure that France, like most European countries, requires a 2-part wedding?
Once in the "Mairie" or Town Hall, and another in church (if that is what you want).

I remember being confused when a French colleague told us he was "going up before the mayor" - which meant he was getting married

Yes you are right. But she did not marry at the town hall (I checked) .
She had 5 girls , some were registered at the town hall , some at the british embassy .


passer devant monsieur le maire = to marry