Genealogy Chat

Is there any way i can tell from a marriage certificate if my GGrandfather was married before?. I have his Marriage certificate from when he married my grandfathers mother but i have lost him for 30 years. I have him on the 1951 cencus living with his father and siblings but then can't find him until the 1891 cencus. any help appreciated. Jayne

what is his name, birth year and place of birth? jeanette

It should say his condition: Batchelor, divorced, widower etc. Unless he lied...

It should tell you his 'status' (for want of a better word). If not married will say Bachelor. Some say previous marriage disolved, etc etc.

Well his name was William Coward born 1843 Chrischurch Hants. well just jooked again and it says Bachelor so looks as though he hadn't married before unless as someone said (sorry can't remember who) he lied:( thanks for answering so quickly it is appreciated. Jayne

is this the right chap in 1851? John Coward abt 1811 Longham, Dorset, England Head Christchurch Hampshire John Coward abt 1847 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Son Christchurch Hampshire Mary Ann Coward abt 1840 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Daughter Christchurch Hampshire Robert Coward abt 1836 Longham, Dorset, England Son Christchurch Hampshire Sarah Coward abt 1842 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Daughter Christchurch Hampshire > William Coward abt 1844 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Son Christchurch Hampshire Ann Dugdall abt 1799 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Servant Christchurch Hampshire clear the way, the troops will sniff him out!!

Is this him in 1861 perhaps? John Butler abt 1847 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Boarder Christchurch Hampshire View Record Burnes Campbell abt 1835 Lymington, Hampshire, England Visitor Christchurch Hampshire William Coward abt 1845 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Boarder Christchurch Hampshire John Dean abt 1847 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Boarder Christchurch Hampshire Samuel Fust abt 1847 Lytchet, Dorset, England Boarder Christchurch Hampshire Ellen M Roberts abt 1852 Lymington, Hampshire, England Daughter Christchurch Hampshire Emma Roberts abt 1825 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Wife Christchurch Hampshire William Roberts abt 1823 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Head Christchurch Hampshire Alice Wheeler abt 1844 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Sister-in-law Christchurch Hampshire

Hi Jess yes this is him. thanks for taking your time to look for him. Jayne

this one down as widower in 1871 William Coward abt 1849 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Head South Stoneham Hampshire Eliza Lewis abt 1808 Southampton, Hampshire, England Lodger South Stoneham Ham

Gwyneth, this could be him but not sure as to where he was then. I believe his father was still alive in the 1961 cencus and was living with Williams brother but not too sure on this either. Jayne

William Coward abt 1849 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Head South Stoneham Hampshire This one would not be him as he didn't marry until 1883 that is why i was thinking he may of married before. He married a Sarah Chudley Feb 1883 in Exeter if this is any help. Jayne

Jayne, i don't understand what you are saying? William Coward abt 1849 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Head South Stoneham Hampshire you say he was married in 1883 but think he had been married before? this william is down as widowed on 1871 census so must have been married to be a widow?

Sorr if i didn't make myself clear but i don't think that this one William Coward abt 1849 Christchurch, Hampshire, England Head South Stoneham Hampshire could of been my great grandfather as the marriage certificate that i have says that he married a Sarah Chudley in Feb 1883, and he was born in 1843. what i was wondering was if it said on a marriage certificate if any of the persons had married before. After looking again at the certificate i can see it says he was a bachelor so unless he lied i guess he didn't marry before. hope that this is clearer now. It has been a long day lol. thanks again everyone for your help

Jayne I have known certificates which say 'bachelor' and we know for a fact that they have previously married. Sometimes some people interpreted that term to mean that they were free to marry, ie. not presently married. ..... not much help to us searching now though. If we could only track William for sure through the census, we'd have a better idea of knowing if this is how he saw it too. Did he have a distinctive occupation, which might help to identify him? What does his marriage cert. say about this?

Hi Gwyneth i really wish i could tell you. The writing on the marriage certificate is so hard to read someone on here had to help me lol. In the Rank or Profession column i think it says private something, If you would like to take alook at it PM me your email addy and i will send it through. Sorry cant be of more help. Jayne

It might say 'Private Gentleman', as I have one that says 'Private Lady'.

Hi April, no it is not gentleman, I have been studying it quite hard this morning and from what i can make out it says private 1st RA or 1st RH whatever this could be. If anyone could help out would be most grateful. Jayne

1st RH ?? I don't know if this may help but my Grandfather served in the 1st Royal Hampshire Regiment ?? Dea x

Hi thanks for that Dea, any idea how i go about finding out if this is where he was a private too. Jayne

Still wondering if any one may know what Private RA or RH may mean. Dea did mention about the Royal Hampshires and i was wondering if there is a site that i could go to & see if he may of been in there. I am quite new to all of this so please bear with me. thanks for your help, Jayne