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I have the marriage certificate for an Emma Smith b Sudbury Suffolk. aged 18 at the time of her marriage in 1870. She has no parents listed on the certificate. The witnesses to the wedding do not appear to be significant. If I purchased the birth certificates for every Emma Smith born about the right time in the same region how would I know which one was likely to be mine. Can anyone give me any pointers as to where I go from here or is this now a complete brick wall?

Have you found her on the census after the marriage - sometimes there could be a relative living with the couple

With no dad mentioned on the marriage cert, the chances are she was a base child.

There would have only been a fathers name appear anyway,so if one doest appear it could be for one of two reasons, or other,,?either she was born out of wedlock, or she never knew ,she may have course not been on terms with him and just decided otherwise,
Unless you can link her to siblings who births could shed any light may be an option,?

Only fathers are named on marriage certificates, no mothers. If there is no father named then the likelyhood is that she was illegitimate.

Sam x

Did she marry George Bridge?

The birth might not have been registered

Just want to say to everyone who replied, thank you very much. I feel a bit less frustrated knowing there is some support out there. I'm not giving up yet!

Have you traced all of the Emma Smiths in the 1861. I know this could take a while but if you did find one living with just mum, or perhaps the oldest by a few years in a family group - she might be yours.

Tricky one - with a different surname it could be a lot easier!

1871 just posting for info

Name: Emma Bridge
Age: 18
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1853
Relation: Wife
Spouse's Name: George
Gender: Female
Where born: Sudbury, Suffolk, England
Civil Parish: Hawkedon
Ecclesiastical parish: Ely
County/Island: Suffolk
Country: England
Street address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Disability: View Image
Registration district: Sudbury
Sub registration district: Hartest
ED, institution, or vessel: 7
Household schedule number: 35
Household Members: Name Age
Emma Bridge 18
George Bridge 23 Hawkedon, Suffolk
Jane Bridge 7 months



Have you managed to follow her through the census just in case a rellie is visiting?

Glitterbaby
Many thanks. That is the oldest information I have apart from the marriage certificate. I have checked out the other census, but I ought perhaps to do a more thorough check.

Cannot see any mention of her full name.
Can you confirm this is her?
marriage
George Bridge 1870 Jul-Aug-Sep Sudbury Essex, Suffolk
View Record
Emma Ellen Smith

hi kate.
found this,Emma Smith on1881 census born 1821,sudbury ,suffolk, she is a widow.resdence sudbury st gregory.
RGII/1828 F/31 P/20
could this be emma's mother.

gwen x

hi kate,
check this one out.with a emma smith age 7yrs.on 1861 census.living in sudbury suffolk.st george.

RG9/1130 F/47 P/16.
good luk gwen x
just had another look and following on from the above 1861 census emma's father is now a widow on this 1871 census young emma is not around could have married.

Who are the witnesses on Emma Smith wedding cert?

Margaret
The witnesses of the marriage were Sophia Garwood and Walter Blackshere who later married. A very kind look-up person on Genes found me an Emma Smith whose mother's 2nd marriage was to David Garwood. Emma Smith age 11 is listed on the 1861 census living with David Garwood and Jane but I can find nothing for a Sophia Garwood that connects her to David Garwood. Also I think this Jane married a Robert Smith but I can find only one child and that is Emma. They were living at Glemsford Sfk.
On the 1881 census David Garwood has an Emily J Smith listed as his daughter in law aged 31yrs. Wonder if Emma J should read step daughter and she didn't marry.
Also on the 1871 census when Emma was married her neighbour's nephew was an Adolphus Garwood. Could there be a connection there? They lived at Hawkedon Sfk.
It gets more complicated as I go along.
Thank you for your interest.

Jim
Yes this is my Emma.
Thank you for your interest.

Chris
Thank you very much for the trouble you are taking. The Emma with Emma Glead as Mum isn't the right one as a member of GR has allowed me to see her 'tree' and this Emma didn't marry George Bridge. The other one is a possibility as I have not come across that one before.

Gwen
Yes this could have been Emma's mother. Have you any more details. I no longer have access to the 1861 census, so am very grateful to everyone who has replied. It's really encouraging.

hi kate,
here goes....on this 1881 census.Emma smith age 60yrs,born abt 1821 sudbury suffolk.
address.9 croft road.
she is a widow
occupation... charwomen.
death details..
emma smith abt 1821.
1896
ist quater
dis=sudbury
c=essex suffolk
age=75yrs
vol=4a
page=407
if you ordered the death certificate it would give the informent name.
wish you luk gwen x

Kate
For info ,a step child used to be described as son or daughter in law of the head of house . The" in law" description then didnt have the same meaning as now.

Shirley