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Having trouble figuring out exactly who one of my GG Grandmothers was. I will give you what I can:
Alfred Stitson (mis-transcribed variously as Stetson and Hitson in census) was my GG Grandfather and born in 1857 in Newton Abbott, Devon.
In census records (I have 1881 and 1901) his wife is named Sarah.
I have searched for a marriage for him (soundex on) to a Sarah but I can't find one.
I tried searching for just his name and found this entry at an appropriate time (his first child was born in 1880, I have looked up beyond that, though)
Marriages Jun 1878 (>99%)
BOND Ellen Newton A. 5b 260
MATTHEWS Thomas Newton A. 5b 260
NOSWORTHY Mary Frances Newton A. 5b 260
Stitson Alfred Newton A. 5b 260
No Sarah! I looked on the next page, though, and found this:
Marriages Jun 1878 (>99%)
BUTLER Edward Newton A. 5b 261
Butter Edward Newton A. 5b 261
Jennings Eliza Newton A. 5b 261
JURY Edward Newton A. 5b 261
Savage Edward Newton A. 5b 261
WOODS Sarah Jane Newton A. 5b 261
Is it plausible that Alfred's spouse could appear here?
I looked up births for Sarah Jane Woods and found this:
Births Dec 1856 (>99%)
Woods Sarah Jane Plympton 5b 198
The date also roughly matches the Sarah in census (1881 as her as b. 1856, 1901 implies 1854, 1911 as 1856)
I have considered ordering Alfred's marriage cert and seeing the wife (maybe doing a name check, just in case), but I wasn't sure how likely it was that these two people were married.
My other option is to order a certificate from Sarah's second marriage - Alfred died in 1901 and in the 1911 census she is married to William Caddy, her former lodger some 20 years her junior!
1911 census:
Caddy, William 37, Bricklayer, Paddington London
Caddy, Sarah, 56, Devon Newton Abbott
(notes they have been married 8 years)
Witt, Arthur, Adopted Son, 7, Devon Newton Abbott
Stitson, Maud, Step Daughter, 27, Gen. Domestic, Devon Newton Abbott
Stitson, Sophia, "Step Daughter's only child", 1, Devon Exeter
Now, I am 100% positive that this is the right family, so I looked for the marriage record 8 years back thinking to order the cdertificate and hope is gave Sarah Stitson as "Formerly Woods" or some other surnmae at least. However, nothing is ever easy, is it? This is certainly the marriage judging by date, location, husbands's name etc. but:
Marriages Sep 1903 (>99%)
CADDY William Thomas J Newton A. 5b 316
Shobbrook William Henry Newton A. 5b 316
Stitson Sally Frances Newton A. 5b 316
TOLLY Sarah Louisa Newton A. 5b 316
What the heck????
I have nearly completed my Dad's side of the family tree to 5 generations, this lady is my sole stumbling block. If anyone could offer any explanations or suggestions I would be most grateful.
Sarah
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