The first probate for Sarah RIDLER has a statement by Frederick William, her son, who says "she was married once only, and divorced in or about the year 1904". See that she is buried in the RC section of the Cemetery so maybe they didn't marry but just lived together. Have checked the E/R for Sarah GREY & William George GREY together 1928 only him 1935, but haven't managed to track either of them any further as yet, a few W.G. Greys to choose from.
Yes, several W.G. GREY's to choose from
... and it took time to weed them out - using e/rolls, also directories (but in conjunction with e/rolls because they're not a terribly reliable resource as details weren't regularly updated).
Sarah's son Frederick William is correct in saying his mother married only once (to RIDLER). She certainly did
not marry Mr. GREY (as he was still married until 1940's - more on this to follow.)
I can't find Sarah on e/rolls prior to 1922 (under any of her known surnames) ... but there is evidence that she was using the name "GREY" as far back as late 1920.
She is in Palmerston North from 1920 at least ... and as "Sarah GREY - married" with William George GREY - agent, residing at 93 Broad Street, in the 1922 Palmerston roll. Same listing for years 1925 (and 1928 and 1930) but living at 26 Russell Street ... also at this address - same years - is Sarah's widowed mother, Jane HOOKER. [Jane HOOKER in fact died at Palmerston Nth just a month before Sarah's death in 1933 - but is buried elsewhere. ]
William George GREY appears to remain in P.Nth. until 1935 - thereafter returning to his family (1938) in Auckland.
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William George GREY ... there were a number of them, but to confuse the issue, two living in the Manawatu area. [Was able to rule out the policeman of that name who had a wife Mary May.]
Annoyingly, the guy WG GREY who was with Sarah, only ever had "agent" as his occupation.
In
1914 though, there are two e/roll listings at Napier and Palmerston for a William (agent) and May GREY c/- Albion Hotel, Napier ... and on the Palmerston supplementary roll for William George GREY - insurance agent, and May GREY, married, c/- Railway Hotel, Palm. Nth. [I tend to think this WG GREY (1914) is the man, later with Sarah. No idea who May GREY (cool name
) was, or where she went.
~ Lu more to follow >>