RootsChat.Com
Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Liza115 on Thursday 03 January 19 01:27 GMT (UK)
-
Here's a challenge for you. I'm trying to decipher the surname of a married niece in the 1827 will of Elizabeth Palfrey, spinster, of Knighton, Wales. She mentions two married nieces, including this one, Ann, but can't work out Ann's surname. I think it says: "to my niece, Ann [illegible?] wife of Owen [illegible]. I've tried searching for Ann's marriage using her maiden name (Palfrey or Palphrey) but have not found any results for the right time period. Any suggestions as to Owen's surname?
Thanks for any ideas.
-
Neile?
-
Owen Neill bachelor married Ann Palfrey spinster at St Marylebone, London on 23 January 1814.
-
Wow! I'm seriously impressed.
That's certainly the right date range. Her sister married three years later. I had assumed that Ann married in Wales, but a marriage in London might explain a few things.
Thanks very much for your help.
-
I don't suppose the marriage record gives any useful details such as father's name or witnesses?
-
No fathers’ names.
Witnesses: James Reily; William Robinson (the latter a frequent witness so probably parish clerk or similar and not connected to the parties).
-
Thanks, I appreciate you checking that for me. The National Archives shows a will for Owen Neill, a tavern keeper, George Inn West Smithfield, London dated 1830, whose wife is named Ann. His name is not as common in the records as you might think. In the will he mentions Mrs Elizabeth Palfrey and also assets he owns in Radnorshire, so he looks like the right man.
Thanks again!