Robertson/Markham marriage

[LMChapman]

I'm looking for the record of a marriage between Mary Markham and Alec Robertson (sometimes Alec Moncrieff Robertson). According to the 1911 census they had been married 14 years so around 1897?? My guess is the marriage would have taken place in Bury St Edmunds or in her home parish of St Neots, Huntingdonshire. Really struggling to find the official record - is it possible it was lost? Is it possible they weren't technically married even if she repeatedly appears as Robertson/wife/widow on numerous documents?

[Milliepede]

Yes always possible they never actually tied the knot.  You don't say when they were born - could one or other have been married previous?

Do you have them as a couple in 1901 census?  When was their first child born?

[LMChapman]

Yes they're husband and wife on the 1901. He's 40 and she's 30. But I have his death certificate dated 1917 which says he's 65 then. And there's a different place of birth for him on the 1901 and 1911 census. I know nothing for sure about him before the 1901 census. Five children - first born in 1898.

[avm228]

Is he traceable at all before 1901 (when he’s said to be 40 b Carlisle)? At that age he may well have had a previous marriage. Perhaps he wasn’t free to marry? Sometimes one sees a change of name in that situation.

[avm228]

I see that in 1911 he claims Inverness as a birthplace, so obviously Scottish records need to be looked at.

[LMChapman]

I've looked a lot at English and Scottish records for a birth. No obvious previous census records that I can verify. I was really hoping to get the marriage to hopefully give me a Dad's name so I can narrow down the birth results.

[wivenhoe]

"...she repeatedly appears as Robertson/wife/widow on numerous documents?"

What documents do you have...other than Census?

Do you have birth certificate for first born....Jessie, 13y years ay 1911?

[CaroleW]

Tree on Ancestry shows he was born Alexander M known as Alec 1859 Edinburgh parents George Robertson & Jane Haigs

[LMChapman]

"...she repeatedly appears as Robertson/wife/widow on numerous documents?"

What documents do you have...other than Census?

Do you have birth certificate for first born....Jessie, 13y years ay 1911?

I have the birth certificate for their fifth child, Elizabeth, where Mary is 'Mary Robertson formerly Markham'. I have Alec's death certificate where she is 'M Robertson, Widow'. Think I've found her on the 1939 Register as a Widow as well. I know none of that proves they were married, just wondered if on balance it was more likely the marriage was official but somehow the record was lost.