William McTear (Mateer) and Sarah Lindsay

[saffy]

Hello,

I cannot find a marriage for my g. grandparents William McTear (Mateer) and Sarah Lindsay.
They were from Down and had 3 children baptised Presbyterian in Bangor.
But no sign of a marriage. The church told me they would not have been able to baptize their children if they were unmarried.
But I don't know how to find it.

Without that I cannot find their parents. And as Wm came to England in 1880s without Sarah but with 3 children.
And having been told by a cousin that he came alone but Sarah had not died, i am baffled.

If any one can offer any advice I would be grateful and impart what little more I know.

Thanks
Saffy

[fredbear]

Hi Saffy,
Is your William McTear, known as William Mateer the father of Eliza Jane born in Bangor 23 Aug 1864 & Samuel James born 5 Jan 1867 in Bangor, the mothers are listed as Sarah Lindsay.
If so Have a look in Emerald Ancestors web site I think it is about 9 pounds for a month but may be worth it
Regards fredbear

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   I can also find a Robert McTear, born to William and Sarah, on 5 Mar 1869 but I can find no record of the marriage using various spelling.

Regards

[aghadowey]

They were from Down and had 3 children baptised Presbyterian in Bangor.
But no sign of a marriage. The church told me they would not have been able to baptize their children if they were unmarried.
But I don't know how to find it.

Not sure why you were told this but Presbyterian ministers did baptise illegitimate children. Some ministers wrote illegitimate in space for father's name and others left that space blank. Other ministers seemed to like a father's name written down (perhaps made it a condition of baptism to name the father?) and I've even seen baptismal records state 'supposed to be...'.