Find Ancestors

...

Wonder if someone could double check the following for me ? I'm researching a chap named Richard SWAIN. born 1839, Yardley Gobion, Northants. I've found him in Y.G. in 1851/1861/1871/1881/1891/1901, although with various spellings of surnames (SWAIN/SWAINE/SWANN). By 1871 he was married, to Ann/Annie, who seems to originate from Warrington, Lancs. They had 10 children between 1866 and 1884, all born in Y.G. However, I'm struggling to find a marriage for them. The closest I can find is a marriage in Shoreditch in 1859 between a Richard Swain and an Anne Sheppard. I guess I need to order the certificate, however, if anyone has a free moment, could you see if there's another marriage (maybe in Northants or Lancs) that I've missed ? Incidentally, he was a canal labourer (presumably on the Grand Union Canal), so it's possible he would be in London at some point. Many thanks in anticipation Paul

NB, Richard is living with parents in 1861, no sign of a wife, so maybe that implies the 1859 marriage isn't him...

I found the Shorditch marriage on Ancestry full details Richard SWAIN Dec 1859 Shoreditch 1c 422 looked at others on the page and there was an Ann Sheppard

Hi Paul This one was on ancestry I know it's a bit later but the area is right. Unfortunately there is no wife on the page- obviously not transcribed yet. i guess you could probably find the wife on the 1837 site but I don't have any credits I'm afraid or I'd have a look. Couldn't find any others sorry. Sarah Name: Swain, Richard Record Type: Marriages Quarter: September Year: 1880 District: Warrington County: Cheshire Lancashire Volume: 8c Page: 158

Thanks for that Sarah. I guess it's possible it would just mean that the couples first 8 children were born illegitimately, and that they married after at least 16 years together... unlikely I think, but certainly possible !

The other possibility is that there was never a marriage! A real possibility and one I have had to assume for a few of mine! sarah

now THAT is a good idea Fiona, and one which I think I'll follow. Their 6th child is my Gt Gt Grandfather, so it's probably a good idea to send for it anyway :) In fact, I think I'll do that this evening. I have a couple more to order too. Thanks for the advice. Paul

Hi Paul Can't have you doubting your sanity LOL. Would it help if I looked on 1837 for a Richard marriage 1864/65? Of course, it still wouldn't tell you which, (if any) Annies he married. It might give you a more likely date etc for the marriage though? Let me know if you would like me to look for anything on 1837. Chrissie

Chrissie, Thanks, I have got some 1837 credits, and have had a quick look, but didn't find anything that looked right (but I'm going to double check now, whilst also looking up the aforementioned 6th child :) ). Thanks for the offer though Paul

Your welcome. Good luck :))

Hi Paul, As you seem to have all census from 1851 onwards, I thought you might like this too WILLIAM SWAIN 28 CARPENTER Y HANNAH SWAIN 25 Y THOMAS SWAIN 6 Y HENRY SWAIN 4 Y RICHARD SWAIN 2 Y

HEY HEY HEY !!! I've found him I think Don't know how I missed it before ? Richard Swain Sep 1865 Potterspury 3b 65 :o)

Thats the 1841 then Elizabeth ? Brilliant, thanks very much.

Paul, 1871 census suggest Annie was born in YG also. Where does it give Lancs, please?

Dorothy, Thatnks fo that, as you can see, I found the same one a few minutes ago. Don't know how I missed him before, as I trawled through 1837 a few days ago. I've just tried to look the 1865 marriage up in freebmd, and sadly it doesn't seem to be there. But at least now I can order the certificate. Thanks for your help and advice everyone Paul

Elizabeth - I noticed that too. but on later censuses it says Warrington. 1881 census is a good example I think - except that they're listed as SWANN not Swain Paul

Elaine, Another good tip, thanks for that. No obvious surname as a middle name though. Now that I have the reference for the marriage, I'll send for a certificate, and for their son Frederick (my Gt grandfather). Paul