Lily Priscilla Woodman - marriages

[Lisajb]

I need some help with Lily Priscilla’s husbands/marriages.

Lily is born in 1914, the daughter of George Woodman and Lillie (sometimes recorded as Lily).

Lily marries in Soundwell, Bristol on 4th August 1934. Her husband is George Seymour. They appear together in the 1939 register. George’s birthdate is a little hard to read - could be 1910.

Seymour is crossed through for Lily and the name Watts written in. There’s a registration reference and what looks like a date of 4.1.51

I’ve found a marriage for a Lily P Seymour and Thomas Watts in Q4 1950.

Except - the only death registration for  George Seymour with the appropriate birth year and in the right place is in 1953!

So - did Lily and Thomas marry bigamously, did Lily and George divorce? Or is there something I’m not seeing?

The image for the Woodman/Seymour marriage certificate  is on ancestry. I’m not in a position to buy the certificate for the second marriage, having lost my job back in July.

Would be grateful for any thoughts or suggestions

Thanks
Lisa

[Galium]

The GRO index has two entries for the marriage - one with Thomas Watts marrying Lily P Seymour, and one marrying Lily P Woodman. This doesn't mean that there are two marriage certificates, just that Lily's previous married name has been indexed as well as her maiden name.

As far as I know, this only happens when a divorced woman is remarrying - otherwise every widow's remarriage would get indexed twice.

Not all remarriages of divorcées are indexed like this, but I'm not sure of when it began and when it ended.

[Lisajb]

The GRO index has two entries for the marriage - one with Thomas Watts marrying Lily P Seymour, and one marrying Lily P Woodman. This doesn't mean that there are two marriage certificates, just that Lily's previous married name has been indexed as well as her maiden name.

As far as I know, this only happens when a divorced woman is remarrying - otherwise every widow's remarriage would get indexed twice.

Not all remarriages of divorcées are indexed like this, but I'm not sure of when it began and when it ended.

Thank you. That would make sense. I shall have to hope I get a job soon so I can get the certificate to see how Lily describes herself.

[Capetown]

Ancestry
Gloucestershire, England, Electoral Register
1832-1974

Lily P SEYMOUR
1946 - Thornbury  (same address as later on)
1947 - Thornbury (same address)
1948 - Thornbury

1950 - South Gloucestershire
1951 - South Gloucestershire

On the 1948 - Register

Both she and George are living at 35 London Street, in the Parish of Kingswood, West Ward

On the 1950 - Register

Lily P SEYMOUR - same address, but on her own


The first page of the Electoral Register, says the Qualifying Date is 20 November 1950.

On the 1951 - Register

Lily P SEYMOUR - same address, now has Tom WATTS listed

Needs a bit more 'digging'


Tom WATTS does not appear on Gloucestershire Electoral Register on Ancestry, till he turns up living with Lily in 1951.

[Capetown]

On the 1952 Electoral Register (again same address London Street)

WATTS Lily P
WATTS Thomas S

(So Tom WATTS, is Thomas S WATTS)

If you have access to the 1939 Register, Thomas is living in Kingswood (dob 21 November 1921)

[Lisajb]

On the 1952 Electoral Register (again same address London Street)

WATTS Lily P
WATTS Thomas S

(So Tom WATTS, is Thomas S WATTS)

If you have access to the 1939 Register, Thomas is living in Kingswood (dob 21 November 1921)

I do.

We’re still none the wiser!

[Lisajb]

I’ve just found something on British newspaper archive, 27th September 1950, Lily Priscilla Seymour of 35 London Street, against George Seymour, desertion.

[Girl Guide]

Yes that's right:-

Western Daily Press 27 September 1950

Decrees Nisi were granted in the following undefended petitions at Bristol Divorce Court yesterday heard before Mr. Commissioner Wethered and Mr. Commissioner Paton.

Lily Priscilla Seymour of 35 London Street, Kingswood against George Seymour, desertion.