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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wiltshire => England => Wiltshire Lookup Requests => Topic started by: MJR on Wednesday 26 February 14 15:52 GMT (UK)
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Please will someone have a look at the PR for the marriage of Hester Ranger and William Thomas on 25/03/1788. I am looking for the names of the witnesses. Many Thanks MIK.
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Hi MJR,
According to the transcripts issued by the Wilts FHS, no witnesses were listed. They were recorded
as only either a Bachelor or Spinster
I think you will find that very few witnesses were ever recorded at that time.
Alan
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Alan. Many Thanks, I purchased the Wilts FHS cd at WDYTYA last week in the hope the information was there. I have a marriage 1784 Yate Gloucestershire, Hester's brother I think, it has 2 "in the presence of" names; I was hoping there would be his name on Hester's. Again many thanks, looks like this wall is harder than brick. MIK.
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I think you will find that very few witnesses were ever recorded at that time.
Er, they should be if the register is one of the standard post 1854 Hardwicke ones.
Not all transcripts record the witnesses names. Sight of the original entry may be the way to go.
Nell
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Even if you could find the witnesses names they may have no connection to the people marrying. Quite often one or both witnesses are church employees or just available people. Sometimes though you get lucky. The original records are at Wiltshire and Swindon History centre at Chippenham.
http://www.wshc.eu/