Genealogy Chat

Thank you very much.

This has hopefully been an exercise in being prepared to look a little sideways at results. I can't be 100% sure it's the right person of course but 99.9% of me says it is.

There will always be gaps in what and where and why unfortunately, when so much might have happened.

And always variations in spelling, pronunciation and other things. Try places of birth - a cottage between two small villages may vary place of birth between the two, another census might name the nearest big village or town for example that is more likely to have been heard of. A Servant may have been thought to come from somewhere completely wrong or a child moved from place of birth at early age and assumed born where they moved to. Always worth buying a map or googling.....

Ellen Elizabeth might appear on a census as Ellen or Elizabeth, Lizzie, Nellie etc

Good hunting Kelly

I think she may have been married before. I have no idea why, just a feeling....

It must be her as there aren't any birth records for Ellen Elizabeth Woodget.....

I see what you mean now.......

No results for Ellen Elizabeth Woodget on births in 1891 but she is there as Woodyet in the births. Which is why I doubt the G....

I know her husband never worked away from Watford, that much I do know!

I've checked the image......the 'g' looks to me more like a 'y'.

You must do the same........................

You can't apply hard and fast rules, kelly........especially as you stated yourself that there are several variants of the surname.

Also, take note of my suggestion about pronunciation...................

Ellen Elizabeth Woodget shows on GR, FMP and Ancestry on the 1911 census. She is in Leicester as a Kitchenmaid. I think you have to be prepared to go with the G as all else matches.
(Try and find a birth for a Ellen Elizabeth Woodget c 1891 in Burton on Trent!!)

It has been suggested to you why she was in Watford and why she and her husband are at the same address on the MC. Another thought - he was working away from home and met Ellen elsewhere. Why not marry in Burton, as the brides parish was the more usual - perhaps they had to get married quickly, though a live birth doesn't show until late 1917

Maybe she wasn't working when they married so no profession to put down on the MC

There are 5 years between the census and the marriage - you may never know WHY.

Kelly

Please take on board the info already given to you for this woman in 1911..................

I have tried just putting in Ellen Elizabeth and her birth year but it says no results for the 1911 census, surely she can not have vanished for 10 years and come back......

Yes I wrongly assumed that.
I find it strange that Ellen and Alfred are living at the same address before they are married and that she has no named profession, also she has no connection with Watford, with all her family living in Burton on Trent. I would like to find her in an 1911 census to see where she was living and what her profession was...

Witnesses do not need to have any connection to the couple marrying............

In earlier times, they were frequently people from the parish who happened to be able to write................the same names appear time and time again as witnesses in any given parish

I had assumed the Annie who was a witness at Ellen's wedding was her sister as she is also called Annie. It would seem I had that wrong.
I am quite new to all this.
Thank you very much for help.
I still need to find Ellen Elizabeth Woodyet on an 1911 census. When I try it does not come up with anything....

You said the witness was Annie Goodchild - Annie Woodyet is still Annie Woodyet in 1916

There is an Annie Goodchild in Watford in 1911 but a 63 year old widow. MAybe some connection along the way which would have her close enough to be a witness at the wedding.

You have been given 1911 census for her....................................

Marriage certificate states both her and Alfred Stapleton live at 33 Copswood Road. She is a spinster, aged 25. Her name is Ellen Elizabeth and there is a line through profession, her father is Arthur.

He was living at the same address in Watford as a lodger, Ernest Powell. 1911 census shows that he was living there. So Ellen married Alfred in 1916. her sister Annie married his lodger in 1919, yet I still cant find Ellen on an 1911 census.

What is the exact info about Ellen on the marriage cert?

Annie was born 1900, so although not impossible, she is unlikely to have married by 1916

THis is more likely her marriageCivil Registration event: Marriage

Print Close
MarriageFinder: Annie Woodyett married Ernest F Powell
Name: WOODYETT, Annie
Registration district: Burton upon Trent
County: Staffordshire
Year of registration: 1919
Quarter of registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
Spouse's last name: Powell
Volume no: 6B
Page no: 889


7 births Powell/mmn Woodyet show BonT 1920-1933