Possible reasons that prevented couples getting married?

[mongojoby]

Hi,

I am assuming it would have been quite common in the late 1870/early 80s, for men to father an illegitimate child but then marry the mother at a later point, but I am curious as to possible reasons that couples may not have been able to get married/ were seperated for long periods of time as I cannot find an obvious record for the father, James Stewart Russell Sproul anywhere on the 1881 census and am looking for any clues. 

The birth of their first child James Sprowl Sparkes, is registered in Dec 1878 and he is living with his mother, Mary A Sparkes (although he is listed as his grandparents child) in 1881.  It is not until 1882 that they marry, conveniently two quarters before the birth of their second son and by the times of the 1891 census they are all living together with James Sprowl Sparkes named as James Sproul.

Thanks for reading, and any help offered.
Jo

[Necromancer]

any hints that he might ahve been a military man ?

[avm228]

any hints that he might ahve been a military man ?

Hmmm... he's a "bicycle machinist fitter" in 1891 (36, b Paisley, Scotland)

Anna

[mongojoby]

Thanks for your responses.

Unfortunately I don't really know a great deal about him.  Aside from the occupation in 1891 already mentioned, I know his father lists his profession as 'designer' when he came down from Paisley.

I do also know that three of his half brother's seemed to join the army forces around the turn of the century, although as they were a lot younger and did so on their exit from Coventry workhouse, I'm not sure too much can be taken from that.

Jo

[Dave Francis]

A distinct possibility?

1881 West Derby (Municipal) Lancashire
RG 11/3703 folio 36 page 12
28 Overbury Street

Sarrah Burrows, head, widow, 65, straw bonnet maker, Lancaster Lancs
Alice Coster, neice, unm, 30, do, do
James S K Sproul, lodger, unm, 27, engine fitter, Scotland

The "K" might be an "R". What does the panel think?

[Dancing Master]

There were many reasons for a couple not marrying or being allowed to marry.   Too close a relationship (blood), too young,  separated by Army service, prison, family objections, religion and no doubt many other reasons.

[aghadowey]

...not much money, nowhere to live together, having to look after relatives...
but are you sure that James Sprowl Sparkes is really the son of James S R Sproul? Often children took the name of their mother's new husband.

[mongojoby]

Thanks everyone,

Dave, not sure if that could be him or not, but I do know from looking for people in the family before that there does seem to have been a Sproul family from the same area from Scotland who went and settled in Lancashire so possibly more likely to be related to them, but will look into it thanks.

Dancing Master, thanks for that list; with regard to being too young to get married, as Mary would not have been of full age when she gave birth to James (around 19), would she have needed permission to marry, much like you do now if aged under 18?  

Agadowey, thanks for those reasons; I cannot be sure that James Sprowl Sparkes is James Sproul's son, but given that, from looking at census returns it looks like the Sproul name was effectively brought to Coventry by James Sproul's father it seems a rather strong coincidence that her son would be officially registered with a middle name that is the surname of the man she married over four years later.  I guess this is why it interests me as hadn't seen such a strong link to the father with the other illegitimate children in my tree.  

[GeoffE]

I cannot be sure that James Sprowl Sparkes is James Sproul's son, but given that, from looking at census returns it looks like the Sproul name was effectively brought to Coventry by James Sproul's father ...

I remember a Duncan SPROUL from Coventry when I was at Uni

(Totally irrelevant)