Researching the Lawrance and Snellgrove families

[avm228]

Unfortunately an English marriage certificate does not name the mother of either party as such (she may appear as a witness of course).

There is no reason in principle why the identity of William's mother should not be ascertainable from the censuses, but you will have to trace him back through them in order to make sure you are following the right person, until (with luck) you find him with his parents in early life.  There may be a baptism for him but if you are right about his birthdate there will not be a civil registration of his birth as that only started in 1837.

Obviously his names are not uncommon which is why we want to help you amass as much detailed information as possible (documented ages, marriages, occupations, addresses can all be invaluable) so as to ensure the wrong man is not followed.

[dawnsh]

According to the School admission registers, Eliza Lawrence was admitted to St Pauls Road School, 16 May 1881, dob 22.10.1870

Father shown as William, a Coke Dealer, of 1 Gale Street but they weren't at that address on the 1881 census 6 weeks earlier.

[DonnaLaundon]

Think we need a "tearing hair out" smiley lol I have spent the last few hours going over the details we have along with those that you guys have found a lot faster than I ever could.  Again only a possible but I think I have found a reference to a wife for James Lawrence, the father of William,which is Elizabeth Banks, although no dates for either which is annoying as it would allow me to go back further.

How some of you manage to do this all the time for your own trees let alone others and manage to find the correct information is amazing.

[Millmoor]

Hi

Here is some further info from the parish record of the marriage of William Lawrence and Emma Keen

William Lawrence 41  Widower General Dealer Residence 40 John Street Father named as James Lawrence, a silk merchant
Emma Keen 30 Spinster No occupation given Residence 40 John Street Father Edwin Keen Blacksmith.

William signed his name but Emma made a mark. I cannot work out the first names of the witnesses but surnames were Price and possibly Rickett. There is also a banns notice dated 6 April 1873. Marriage was on 14th April Stepney St Dunstans and All Saints.

Cheers

William

[avm228]

Father shown as William, a Coke Dealer, of 1 Gale Street but they weren't at that address on the 1881 census 6 weeks earlier.

The address is interesting given that the widowed Emily Keene (coke dealer) and children were at 2 Gale St in 1891.