Foster family

[MUMMYG]

Hi
 Im having trouble finding this family on census in order to move further.

Ellen Foster born C1868 in Wolverhampton, father named as James Foster a bricklayer at her marriage in St Hellier Jersey to soldier Sydney Boast in 1890.

I can find the married couple in census after this but cant find Ellen with her father before this, have tried some records on Findmypast but there are too many possibles for both names seperately. Her husband to be  is age 12 with his family in Worksop in 1881.

How did she get to be in Jersey, is it possible her father becomes a soldier or are they still in Wolverhampton (1871 and 1881) I have tried familysearch for the free 1881 but cant find a likely match of them together, maybe he is deceased by then though.

Lack of detail I know, sorry but Im stuck.

[Morganllan]

Hello 

Possible birth of Ellen Foster in 1868 (Sep Q)
Wolverhampton 6b 543

[MUMMYG]

Thanks for that 

[Cathymjp]

Hi MUMMYG

I am not sure if this is your family but thought it would be worth posting just in case.

1881
RG11 2802 30 10

Civil Parish Wolverhampton.  Address Cannock Road.  Registration District Wolverhampton.  Sub Reg. Wolverhampton Eastern.

James Foster  Head age 56  Occupation Railway Shunter.  Born Wombourne Staffs
Ellen Foster wife age 55  Born Darlaston Staffs
Ellen Foster  daughter aged  10 Born Wolverhampton Staffs
Sarah Foster daughter aged 5 Born Wolverhampton Staffs
William Steel  Boarder aged 20 occupation railway platelayer born Weshpool Montgomeryshire

I know that the age for Ellen is slightly out but this is not unusual on census records, the other anomaly is James's occupation. 

Do you have a birth certificate for Ellen as knowing her mother's name would be a big help?

Cathy

[Willow 4873]

I think you are really going to need that birth certificate to confirm who her mother is I have tried all sorts of combinations but cannot find an Ellen with a father James that makes sense

There is a chance that she is illigitimate and her mothers maiden name was Foster and her father was a bricklayer called James but his surname wasnt Foster

The 1881 census looks good but I am wondering if Ellen and Sarah are their grandchildren as I think Ellen snr would be unlikely to have a child at 50

Willow x

[Cathymjp]

I wondered about that too Willow but have found over the years that ages on census can be suspect so gave this one the benefit of the doubt.

Was her father still alive at the time of her wedding?  They are not always necessarily noted as dead on the marriage certificate even if they have died before the wedding.  Who were the witnesses? 

I agree with Willow, the birth certificate is the key.

Cathy 

[MUMMYG]

I think you are right although Ive been trying to put it off with not much evidence to go on.

Her father is definately down as James Foster Bricklayer on her marriage entry at St Hellier Register Office although it doesnt say if he is deceased, she never goes home again and none of her family ever turn up after her marriage so maybe they are all dead.

The 1881 could be her with relatives I suppose. I looked at all Ellens of approx age on 1871 at Findmypast but none of them look good as all have Fathers who arent  James.

Cant find any parish records or even local BMD online to narrow down the area better, think Ill have to bite the bullet and order with stipulation of fathers name 

[MUMMYG]

Witnesses  to marriage WH Mourant and CMV Stone.

Thanks for your help.

[Cathymjp]

I had wondered perhaps if the 1881 sister Sarah may have been a witness as a long shot. 

It is interesting that she married in Jersey - I  wonder, like you, what took her there from Wolverhampton.

Was her occupation listed on the marriage certificate?

Cathy