Genealogy Chat

Hi Both I have just found a Martha Smith in Nottingham on 1901 who is a Licensed Victualler aged 35. Married but head of the family who was unfortunately born in Leeds(which may not tie up with her Father, mentioned previously). No husband present but sons Frederick 15 and Clarance 10 - both born in Leeds. She lives in a tavern. Can't get my head around all this. I think it's back to looking for a marriage. Incidentally, I may be able to find Martha's death as I know that she died in Nottingham between 1910 and 1917 but would this give me her d.o.b. in those days do you know please? Thanks again for all your interest - Chrissie

Could it be that Martha didn't marry as a SPENCER but as Widow ?? and that's why you haven't found their marriage. If she was roughly the same age as the 42 years old barman, she would be getting towards the end of her childbearing years but if it WAS her 2nd marriage perhaps her family with Harry started late. Have you found the 1882 couple in 1891? I see from freebmd that they are the only 2 names on the page so they did not necessarily marry each other. Can you find Harry and Martha in 1881 to get a birthplace, or is that too daunting?......Ah. I am trying to fix an ailing washing machine here and came back to see that much of what I wrote doesn't apply! Can you find a SPENCER removal firm in Nottingham in any census and link Martha to it?

Hi Both. Zoe I believe that his official name was Harry as this was on both the birth certificates that I have, but when I find a Martha Spencer married in Nottingham (or anywhere) I do check the Henry's as well thanks. I am wondering if I should check 1837 before 1895, but I thought that as the first child was born around 1900/1902 this would be early enough as they seemed to start breeding straight away in those days!!! Heather I'm not quite sure what you mean about the Household search on 1901. I have the address for Harry the barman as I paid for the census.Robin Hood has been kind enough to try and find them for me on 1891 Nottm, but the names are too common.Perhaps I could pluck up the courage to ask him to look for this barman for me, but I hate to keep bothering him. I know Martha was a spinster as my Husbands Cousin remembers her Father being called "Donkey" Spencer because he had a small removal firm in Nottingham (which is another reason I don't think the Wiltshire couple can be the right one). Thanks so much for all your interest. Even putting it down like this helps to clear my head a bit. Don't forget, if either of you want a 1901 census before 11.00am tomorrow the offer is there. Cheers - Chrissie

Chrissie Can you do an address search for his household on 1901? I think it's possible. Also could you get a look-up for him in 1891 to see if he was married to Martha. Another thought, perhaps Martha was a widow when she married him so different surname. I looked at the 1901 census, so many Marthas, I can see your problem! Heather

Chrissie was his official name Harry or was he a Henry? It may be why you can't find his marriage and he's not with who you suspect on the census (apologies if you've done the Henry thing already). Zoe

Thanks for the thought Heather, but he WAS at the bottom of the page so I looked at the next page with no luck. By the way, I have just realised that I have got 3 credits left on 1901 to use up by tommorow morning if there is anything that you would like me to look at for you? The thing that has always baffled me is why (when they were obviously at least late 30's in 1901) there weren't any more children,apart from as said, 1904 - 1909 and approx 1900/1903. Oh well, I shall find them one day!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks - Chrissie

Chrissie Just a thought but perhaps he is at the bottom of a page and his wife at the top of the next, you won't see that with the census decoder. I found this with my family, the youngest child was on the next page. Heather

Hi Heather. He is 42 (the Barman on 1901) which I felt would also fit in with the fact that I know he died approx 1941 - 1947 and was an elderly gentleman. Cheers - Chrissie

Hi Chrissie How old was he in 1901? Heather

Hi Heather. No, that's been the problem all along. I have trawled through 1837 but I am beginning to think that I may not have gone back far enough. I know they had a son who was older than the one born in 1904 and I have looked for a marriage from 1895 to 1904 with no luck. They lived in Nottingham but I found a marriage on freebmd in Wiltshire in 1882 with the same names but have been unable to track the couple and the names are so common that it probably isn't them. The man I found on 1901 sounded a likely possibility because he is listed as Barman (born Nottingham) and Barman is given on the 1904 childs birth certificate. Sometimes I feel like giving up (my own names have been so much easier to find)but my Hubby would so like to know about them so I shall plod on. Thanks for your interest. Chrissie. p.s. It's Harry SMITH/Martha Spencer so you see my problem!!!!

Hi Chrissie Did they marry before 1901? Sorry, have just read your message again and see that he was married, so have you found the marriage? Heather

After months of searching for my Husbands (VERY common names) grandparents and not understanding why I couldn't tie them together on 1901 decoder despite trying every age combination, yesterday I think I may have found his Grandfather but his wife is not staying at the same address that night. He appears to be with his Mother at the house of his Sister and Brother in Law. He is listed as married and I know that she would be alive in 1901 (if this is the right one)as they had children in 1904 and 1909. Has anyone any suggestions why the wife might not be with him. Now I have typed all this I realise it's a stupid question but any suggestions gratefully recieved. Thanks -Chrissie