Hi everyone!
I'm really struggling with an ancestor from Sheffield with the maiden name of Eliza Bradshaw (born approx 1830). I know that she married John Ryalls in 1853 in Sheffield, and since she married John, I know everything about her (i.e. 1861 census and beyond, her children, death, burial place, etc.). However, I cannot find out anything about her from before this!
I have found the parish record of her marriage, which states that her dad is called George Bradshaw and that he's a steel refiner. It doesn't say anything about him being deceased, so presumably he is still alive. From census records from 1861 and beyond, it consistently says that her birthplace is Sheffield, Yorkshire.
However, when looking at the 1851 and 1841 censuses, there is no Eliza Bradshaw with a George Bradshaw as a father in Sheffield. Or, at least, none that I've been able to find. In the 1851 census, I've actually only found one Eliza Bradshaw in Sheffield with the birth date approx 1830 (apparently living with her brothers and aunt on Meadow Street), and I'm pretty confident that she's not the correct Eliza Bradshaw since I've found the same one in the 1861 census.
So, I can't find ANY Eliza Bradshaw in 1851 and none that match with a father called George in 1841 either! I also can't find any baptism records for Eliza with a father called George.
I am wondering whether it is possible that the name George has been incorrectly named on the parish record. This is because that John Ryalls' father was also called George, and obviously human error can cause mistakes. Does anyone know if I order the marriage certificate, is it likely to be a copy of the parish record?
Otherwise, I'm completely at a loss with how to proceed with working out who Eliza was before marrying John. Any help is appreciated!
