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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Gloucestershire => Topic started by: Lisajb on Wednesday 21 December 16 19:42 GMT (UK)

Title: A marriage puzzle
Post by: Lisajb on Wednesday 21 December 16 19:42 GMT (UK)
 ???

Familysearch have a marriage for John White to Betty Moreton, at Bitton on 23rd May 1802.

And also a marriage for John White to Betty Moreton, at Bitton on 30th May 1803.

I'm somewhat perplexed by this. Could there possibly be two identically named couples who married a year apart in the same place, or is there some other logical explanation? There are no images available for these marriages, although they are different batch numbers if that's relevant.

Any thoughts appreciated!

Thanks
Lisa
Title: Re: A marriage puzzle
Post by: Old Bristolian on Wednesday 21 December 16 20:05 GMT (UK)
One probably relates to the reading of the banns taken from a Banns Register. These would normally be read on the three preceding Sundays before the marriage

Steve
Title: Re: A marriage puzzle
Post by: Old Bristolian on Wednesday 21 December 16 20:12 GMT (UK)
Sorry Lisa, my mistake - I didn't notice the difference in the years. It could just be a mistake in the transcription of course,

Steve
Title: Re: A marriage puzzle
Post by: Lisajb on Wednesday 21 December 16 20:13 GMT (UK)
I did think that initially, Steve, but the dates are a year apart. Could be a typo by whoever transcribed the record maybe?
Title: Re: A marriage puzzle
Post by: groom on Wednesday 21 December 16 20:13 GMT (UK)
One probably relates to the reading of the banns taken from a Banns Register. These would normally be read on the three preceding Sundays before the marriage

Steve

There's over a year between the two dates though - I thought you had to marry within a few months of the reading of the banns. Could be a bad transcription of one date though - ie they should both be 1802 or 1803.

Sorry we crossed - same idea though.
Title: Re: A marriage puzzle
Post by: Lisajb on Wednesday 21 December 16 20:14 GMT (UK)
Posted as you were posting!  :)
Title: Re: A marriage puzzle
Post by: Old Bristolian on Wednesday 21 December 16 20:53 GMT (UK)
I think the PRs are held at Bristol RO. They will check for you and send a copy (at a price - but they are very helpful). Alternatively you could ask if anyone on Rootschat goes to Bristol and could look it up for you,

Steve
Title: Re: A marriage puzzle
Post by: Lisajb on Wednesday 21 December 16 20:56 GMT (UK)
I keep meaning to have a wander down to Bristol RO, but somehow never get round to it!
Title: Re: A marriage puzzle
Post by: Mean_genie on Thursday 22 December 16 02:01 GMT (UK)
The 1802 entry is from the parish register, the 1803 one is from the bishops transcripts. An entry on FamilySearch always includes a GSU film number; you can search the FamilySearch Catalog using the film number. Under 'Search for:' select 'Film/fiche number'

https://familysearch.org/catalog/search

The result will give the original source, and where it is held. It often gives the original record office reference too, which is useful if you want to consult the film in the record office (in this case Bristol) rather than at a FamilySearch Center  or the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.

In this instance the parish register entry is likely to be correct, but the only way to be certain is to look at both records, including the surrounding entries, and decide for yourself.