St Michael's and All Angels Welshampton (maybe?) - Caroline Dodd Keay

[smithemnk]

I didn't look for the birth under yet another surname.  It fits the timeline but how to make the link between Groom or Dodd/Keay?

[mckha489]

1828 7th September    Edward GROOM-DOD. Baptised son of Thomas & Sarah

1833 26th May  William Edward GROOM-DOD Baptised son of Thomas & Sarah

1839 29th December John GROOM -DODD. Baptised son of Thomas and Sarah

That’s all showing in Shropshire baptisms on FindMyPast

[smithemnk]

Ok there's the Dodd, but how did the Keay get in?

[mckha489]

I wonder if at some point Sarah Dodd/Groom married/shacked up with someone Keay?

Can you see Thomas & Sarah or any of the children in 1841?

[mckha489]

Just to make life interesting there are these two births

GROOM, EDWARD       - 
GRO Reference: 1841  M Quarter in ELLESMERE UNION  Volume 18  Page 59
GROOM, JOHN       - 
GRO Reference: 1838  J Quarter in ELLESMERE UNION  Volume 18  Page 58


I had been assuming it was Thomas Groom and Sarah Dodd, but perhaps it’s the other way around?  It does seem odd to have at least three baptisms with apparently two surnames without the priest forcibly marrying them.   

[smithemnk]

I can't find a 1841 census with Thomas Groom and a Sarah.  Nor a Sarah Dodd with a Thomas.

Ordering a birth certificate, hopefully it will clear something up.  Or maybe as you said, it was a forced marriage and done under the table.

Imagine the bible for whomever was keeping records, there are probably lines going everywhere.