Martin/Bell families from Bo'ness

[misses123]

Im trying to track down birth and death certificates for my paternal grandfather but keep hitting a brick wall.
The family appear to have all lived in Bo'ness.
Have traced the family back to pre-1885 on his mothers side - Thomas Bell and Christina Bell (nee Grant) married 1881
Daughter Janet Bell born 1885 died 1968. Married to John Martin (possibly John McCartney Martin) likely in 1903 but not confirmed.

My Grandfather is named as James Martin on his marriage certificate and as being 25 years old in 1951. It states that he is divorced which seems unusual for a 25 year old man and I can't find any marriage certificate for a previous marriage. His parents are given as John Martin and Janet Martin (nee Bell). One of the witnesses is named as Janet Bell Martin Williamson and I'm wondering if perhaps he was illegitimate or adopted.

James Martin worked overseas in Rhodesia and I believe died over there around 1963-65. I cant find any record of his death/passenger records from ships etc.

If anyone can help with any more leads in this family tree I would be very grateful.

[ev]

Hi , welcome to RC 

One of the witnesses is named as Janet Bell Martin Williamson

Connection ?
Janet Bell M Williamson , birth 1934 , Bo'ness West Lothian.


ev

[Crumblie]

His being divorced may not be that unusual, it could be he served towards the end of WW2 and got married before he was sent overseas. Perhaps when he returned home his wife had found a 'friend' and hence the divorce.

[Crumblie]

There is a birth for a James Martin registered in Bo'ness in 1926 which could be your man.

[misses123]

His being divorced may not be that unusual, it could be he served towards the end of WW2 and got married before he was sent overseas. Perhaps when he returned home his wife had found a 'friend' and hence the divorce.

That’s interesting, I believe he did serve in WW2- most likely at sea.

Sorry, I should have said in the original post that I obtained birth certificates for 2 James Martins born in 1925 (I think!) and 1926 and neither were the correct one.

[Forfarian]

His being divorced may not be that unusual, it could be he served towards the end of WW2 and got married before he was sent overseas. Perhaps when he returned home his wife had found a 'friend' and hence the divorce.

Could be.

If he was 25 in 1951, he would have been about 19 in 1945 when the war ended. If he was married before the end of the war, he must have been an unusually young bridegroom.

[Crumblie]

Forfarian, I would agree with that but he probably would have had national service if not the war. The fact that there seems to be no marriage found could be because it was in England and the divorce the same.

[Forfarian]

Yes, quite possible.