Catholic Parish Marriage Records Dewsbury Yorkshire

[Airdriehunter]

Hi, I was wondering if anybody could advise me?
I have found a possibility of an ancestor on census records in St Mathews Dewsbury Yorkshire, from 1871-1911 for John Hunter abt 1849 and his wife Mary abt 1851. His birthplace was Armagh and occupation tinplate/tinsmith fit the bill. It says she was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire. I have no maiden name for her but I if it is the right John, his father was John Hunter and mother Eliza.  This is the only information I have.
How would I go about finding their marriage record or better still a parish record?  They were probably Catholic religion.  I have worked out they probably married between 1869 and 1871 which I am aware is a huge range on a popular name!  I need this marriage record so I can move on with my tree. 
I found a few possibilities on free bmd,  but Mary is a common name.  I can find their children but I really need the couples marriage to match it to my ancestor's.  What is my best and cheapest way to find a match taking into account that I have no maiden name. Is it a lost cause?  I haven't researched any English records yet and I am only familier with Northern Irish civil records.
Many thanks in advance.

[jorose]

A birth certificate for one of their children would confirm the mother's maiden name, then you could get the civil record.  Cost = two certificates, but will provide the most solid information.

The most likely entry in freebmd, presuming the marriage took place in the Dewsbury area, is the 1870 marriage to (potentially) Mary Dwyer.  You could first see if you can find an appropriate Mary Dwyer of the right age born Dewsbury, then order this only if there it looks possible she was your Mary b. 1851.

Catholic parish records are often difficult to locate, and in many cases have not been handed over to archives but are still with the diocese.  Also, in the case that only one spouse was Catholic, you are likely to find the marriage was at the registrar's office, in which case there's no parish record to be found at all.

[weste]

I rang wakefield archives as my grandfather was born in the west riding area of yorkshire and they told me most of the catholic records are still with individual churches. I went to the archives there a few years ago but rang them a month ago because i had a particular area. Mine's not staight forward, a common name ,an illegitimate son of a father who at some point changed his name and only know the mothers first name. Even enquired after vaccination records, nothing.Tried wakefield reg office as well. Tried some certs, I am going to ask gro to do a wide search with some stipulation but i wonder whether he's even registered, he had trouble trying to get his pension, was told no such person.

[clayton bradley]

Catholic baptisms should include the maiden name of the mother. Do you have Catholic baptisms for the children? I know the Catholic bishops of England and Wales have encouraged priests to deposit their records with the local archives. Many of the Lancashire records are at Preston, but I know very little about Yorkshire, cb

[Joney]

Found website for Catholic diocese of Leeds and this is the archive section.
It appears records pre 1900 have been filmed and are available at West Yorks Archives. Copies are also held by the diocese.
http://www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/archives/family/family.php

Catholics in the nineteenth century generally have their children baptised very soon after birth  and if you're lucky, in addition to the mother's maiden name and godparents, you may even get an address noted in the margin. Just depends on whether the priest was an enthusiastic record-keeper or not. Good luck!
Joney

[weste]

The one I'm after was born oct 1899 we think. Difficult to be sure as he went into the army early I know and so may be a year either side. I'm planning to go up. I did see the diocese website but wanted to check with the archives  in case they had copies. They told me which churches. Hope you have success.

[Airdriehunter]

Thanks for your help, I found a birth date of Mary Dwyer that matches b. 1851 in Dewsbury.  Can anyone tell me if I order the marriage cert do I get any other information to make sure it is a match before I pay?   In Groni you can view some details before actually ordering, so if it is not the right record you don't have to waste a lot of money.
Thanks again 

[weste]

Only what it says on the index is available beforehand  but you can stipulate you want certain criteria to be met to issue it . You could check with one of the yorkshire offices and say who you are looking for and parents name but slightly more expensive from a local reg office and if they find it,you will be expected to purchase it.