Robert Harper of Bromsgrove

[PAK]

I’m researching my family history and need to find the record of a marriage that may have been held in Bromsgrove, probably around 1830-1832. The person concerned is a Robert Harper, who married someone called Eliza or Elizabeth. Up to now I have always assumed that her maiden name was Fisher and that she was the sister of my great-grandmother. Unfortunately, I recorded this many years ago when I first became interested in family history so did not record my source.

In the last few weeks I have seen a reference on another website (which doesn’t always seem to have signs of complete accuracy) to him being married to an Eliza Limer. Both the Fisher and Limer families were present in the parish of Kingstone, in Staffordshire, but I have been unable to find any reference to Robert's marriage there – or indeed the birth / baptism of their eldest daughter Susanna Agnes born around 1832.

One of the granddaughters of Robert and Eliza emigrated to the USA and I have been in touch with many of her descendants. Although I can't travel, they have even invited me to their family reunion in Colorado next year! So now I need to be sure that I am genuinely linked to them, as I don't want to look like a fraud.

I know that Robert was born in Corley Kings, Worcestershire; that in 1832 and again in 1834, when his first two daughters were born, he was working as a servant in Liverpool; and that later they moved to Bromsgrove, where he ran the “Bell” inn for many years.

It's a long day for me to travel to Worcestershire on a possibly fruitless errand. Can anyone advise or help?

[groom]

Welcome to Rootschat.

but I have been unable to find any reference to Robert's marriage there – or indeed the birth / baptism of their eldest daughter Susanna Agnes born around 1832.

Here is the baptism of Susanna, no mention of her mother's maiden name I'm afraid.

Susanna Agnes Harper
Baptism:   15 Jul 1832
Kingstone, St John the Baptist
Father:   Robert
Mother:   Eliza
County   Staffordshire
Country   England

His occupation is given as servant and interestingly their abode as Liverpool.

Also here  https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NGHB-4HV

[Kay99]

Was the daughter Mary Eliza b 1848 and living with them in 1851 a daughter or granddaughter??

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N1JB-9VL

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKKM-1Y62

If she was a daughter her  birth cert should list her mother's maiden name

Welcome to RootsChat

[groom]

The interesting thing as far as I can see, is that none of the trees mention the birth of Susannah Agnes, they all give the first daughter as Lethetia born 1835 then Mary Eliza born 1848. That's a long gap between children.

[Kay99]

I think this is the family in 1841 living in Bromsgrove - so it doesn't look like a second marriage for Robert.   

Robt Harper 35 Victualler
Eliza Harper 30
Susamh Harper    8
Setitia Harper    6

[Annette7]

A Robert Harper married Eliza Limer 14/12/1831 Liverpool - as the couple were known to be living in Liverpool 1832-34. and with both names being prevalent in Kingstone, looks like this is indeed the couple in question.

Annette 

[rolnora]

A Robert Harper married Eliza Limer 14/12/1831 Liverpool
Annette

They married at the Church of St Thomas and Robert's occupation was Servant
Witnesses were Ann and John Armroyd.

[groom]

Sounds very like them, as on Lethitia's baptism on 19th October 1835 Robert is described as a servant and their abode is again given as Liverpool. They presumably took the daughters back to the family church for baptism.

Probably not what Pak wanted to hear, as that means there is no connection between her and Susannah.

[PAK]

It's true that it wasn't what I wanted to hear but I am (perhaps belatedly) a stickler for accuracy, so many thanks for the replies.

I guess that my assumption was based on finding an Elizabeth born at the right time in Kingstone, especially given that it was only a small parish. Obviously disappointing, especially as I often tell friends with the same interest to check all possibilities. I should have had the same advice 20 years ago!

However - before I send a lot of apologetic emails to America, what would clinch it would be an idea of what in fact happened to my relative Elizabeth Fisher. I know that she was baptised at Kingstone on 15th May 1812, the daughter of William Fisher (1780-1862) and his wife Hannah (nee Abberley, 1777-1861). They had 8 children, the eldest being my great-great-grandmother Ann, and the others were Walter, William, Joseph, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Jane and Hannah.

Her father was born in Abbots Bromley, Staffs, and the family lived in various villages around that area - mainly Blithfield and later, Colton. Charlotte was born in Kingstone in 1809, as was Elizabeth in 1812. But the next and youngest two children, Jane and Hannah, were both born in Drointon in 1815 and 1817. Except for Elizabeth, I have marriage records for all of them and have found them in 1841. So she must have either died or married by then.

Any info, or thoughts? Perhaps I should start a fresh thread on this.

Meanwhile, best wishes to all and thanks for the info - more than I expected on Christmas Eve!