Looking for Marriage Certificate - Molloy & Massey

[harfielc]

Good afternoon,

I am looking for a wedding certificate for the following pair. 

William Molloy (b. 1847) Manchester, Lancs
Sarah Ann Massey (b. 1851) Manchester, Lancs

Marriage Dates: Between 1869 - 1874. 
I figured the dates out as Pre '69 she had a baby out of wedlock but  by 1874 and more babies they all had the name Molloy and Sarah is "wife".
1874 -1879 living George St, Bradford, Yorkshire, West Riding
1879 - back to Manchester

I have searched and searched with a million different name variants and no joy.

Perhaps they didn't actually marry given they lived in dire poverty in St Michaels Manchester at the time, but that would be odd as every subsequent census it is fully detailed as are baptisms and births for the kids.
Any ideas?

[avm228]

It's really not uncommon in family history to find couples holding themselves out as husband and wife without being lawfully married, especially if parenthood had happened early - often probably just a case of not having got around to it, though some people no doubt believed (as some still do today) in "common law marriage", thinking that just by living together for sufficient time they acquired the status of marriage. This is of course a myth, from the point of view of English law at least.

Have you seen these birth registrations, which fall between the dates you mention?

Mark Molloy, mother's maiden name Massey, Mar qtr 1872 Manchester (died Dec qtr 1872 aged 0)*
Mark Molloy, mother's maiden name Massey, Sep qtr 1873 Manchester (died Sep qtr 1873 aged 0)

*This Mark was buried at Philips Park Cemetery, Manchester, on 23 October 1872, aged 9 months.

[harfielc]

Hi AVM

Yes...thought the same myself.  Re the birth registrations they could likely be 2 babies who died as I am missing 4 babies.

Will follow up on these.

C

[avm228]

Another of the missing children, perhaps?

Harriet Molloy, mmn Massey, Mar qtr 1886 Manchester.

Possible death for her: Mar qtr 1887 Prestwich, aged 1.

[harfielc]

HI AVM

Yes that would fit date wise and the name too.

I'll look that up too.

Where are you finding this inf.?

C

[avm228]

You can find birth registrations with mother's maiden name on the GRO online index (currently 1837-1917).

www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp

Be aware that there was another Molloy/Massey couple, Timothy and Mary Ellen, married in Manchester Dec qtr 1882.  They appear from the 1891 census to be the parents of Mary Elizabeth Molloy, mmn Massey, birth reg Jun qtr 1890 Manchester.  Timing-wise they might also be the parents of Harriet b 1886, so I'd suggest caution about adding her to your list without more evidence.

[trish1120]

At least William Molloy and Sarah Ann Massey are easy to find with their Parents in earlier Census. You are lucky Sarah had a Daug who appears 1871 Census and that William had an unusual occp and wasnt just a Ag Lab!

Did find this on LancsOPC;

Baptism: 22 Aug 1852 St Patrick, Collyhurst, Lancashire, England
Mark Molloy - [Child] of Mark Molloy & Margt. (formerly KELL)
Born: 10 Aug 1852
Godparents: Wm. Kell; Anne B. Wilson

Baptism: 14 Jan 1855 St Patrick, Collyhurst, Lancashire, England
Roseannah Molloy - [Child] of Mark Molloy & Margt. (formerly Kell)
Born: Dec 1854
Godparents: Thomas Dalton; Catherine Kell

Baptism: 24 Jul 1859 St Patrick, Collyhurst, Lancashire, England
Edward Molloy - [Child] of Mark Molloy & Margt. (formerly Kale)
Born: 25 Jun 1859
Godparents: James Gaffney; Cath. Howith

On last 2 records it has extra info;
Parents' Marital Status: conj.

I presume this means it was a conjugate relationship and they werent married.

[harfielc]

Thanks. 

Yes I know about those massey and Molloy and there is another pair in Congleton.


I did look on the Lancashire site on this link but didn't dome up with as many results as you.  How did you do that?
http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Search/indexp.html

[avm228]

On last 2 records it has extra info;
Parents' Marital Status: conj.

I presume this means it was a conjugate relationship and they werent married.

This seems to be a standard entry on St Patrick Collyhurst baptisms at that time - likely the Latin "conjugum" (= married).