Sojourner?

[kerryb]

Hi

Just been looking up some marriages in the Sussex Marriage Index and I came across one where the spouse Ann Wood had in the  detail box sojourner otp.  Now I know otp is of this parish but what does sojourner mean?

Kerry

[Gadget]

As far as I know Kerry, it's someone who just passes by - hangs around for a bit then travels on. Could she have been a traveller?

Gadget

[behindthefrogs]

I basically agree with Gadget.  The term was also used to cover a travelling salesman.  Was the marriage by banns or licence? 

[kerryb]

Hi

It didn't say whether it was banns or by licence.  Perhaps it was a nice way of saying she was a traveller!

Of course - sojourn, I knew it looked familiar!

Kerry

[Burrow Digger]

Its not necessarily a traveller. A sojourner could be someone fropm outside the parish  who lives there for the 3 weeks required in order to marry a local. They even stay in that parish afterwards, but could still be considered an "outsider". They may have left their own parish for personal or economical reasons.

I have a sojourner in my tree and he has caused no end of problems - I have no idea where or when he was born - and so I dont know his parents names.     

But I do know who he married, and when/where he married, all his kids and descendents names and their spouses, and when/where he died. 

BD

[kerryb]

BD

That's about it!  Got the marriage the kids and death but no birth, no parents.  As her name is Anna Wood I don't hold much hope either!  No census either as they married in 1763

Kerry

[behindthefrogs]

As this marriage took place after 1754 it should be worth consulting the original parish register.  It should be on the preprinted form and tell you whether it was by banns or licence and also name the two witnesses

The witnesses might help.  There is also a vague chance if the marriage was by licence that the allegation gives you another name.

If you are not local to the marriage I would suggest that you post a look up request on the appropriate county board

[Gadget]

It could also have been written by a cautious clerk who was concerned about the 'burden to the parish' if her husband died and she was left with a young child to support. By entering 'sojourner'  the parish might be able to send her back to her own parish in these circumstances. It happened  quite a lot.

Added - If I recall, Herber's Ancestral Trails has an example of this in Devon.

Do a google on Poor Laws, history of

Gadget

[behindthefrogs]

On marriage a woman took on the settlement of her husband and I didn't think this was usually revoked on his death.  What might be of interest would be the vestry minutes, as if there were concerns there might be some information there.  I tbegins to look as though any progress involves a visit to Sussex Record Office.