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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Cumberland => Topic started by: scotiagirl on Wednesday 05 October 16 02:32 BST (UK)

Title: Featherstons of Alston
Post by: scotiagirl on Wednesday 05 October 16 02:32 BST (UK)
Long time since I've posted...I hope I remember how.  Anyways, I'm anxious to see if anyone can help me find information on my third great grandfather William Featherston, born 1802 in Alston.  He married Isabella Hornsby on April 29, 1827 in Alston and emigrated to Canada shortly afterwards.  I'm really interested in any information on William, his siblings, parents etc. and his time in England not Canada. I don't know how big Alston would have been at the time but is there any way of telling which church they would have been married in? I believe both William and Isabella were Anglican.  Thanks in advance for your help.
Title: Re: Featherstons of Alston
Post by: warncoort on Wednesday 05 October 16 06:36 BST (UK)
Genuki.org.uk will help with churches.
http://www.archersoftware.co.uk/igi/fs-cul.htm    Check for baptisms and marriages.
Title: Re: Featherstons of Alston
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 05 October 16 07:15 BST (UK)
Have a look at:
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/CUL/Alston

St Augustine was founded in 1189.
St John was founded in 1845
Title: Re: Featherstons of Alston
Post by: scotiagirl on Wednesday 05 October 16 15:04 BST (UK)
Thanks very much warncoort and KGarrad.  I have had limited success with that Genuki site.  All it gave me was a one liner under Alston marriages 1813-1837 listing William Featherston's marriage to Isabella Hornsby.  I'll keep digging though.  Thanks again.
Title: Re: Featherstons of Alston
Post by: rosie99 on Wednesday 05 October 16 15:10 BST (UK)
The marriage transcript is on freereg

Alston, Cumberland
St Augustine of Canterbury
Register type   Archdeacon's Transcripts
Marriage date   29 Apr 1827
Groom William   FEATHERSTONE
Groom bachelor
Groom Otp
Bride forename   Isabella HORNSBY
Bride spinster
Bride Otp
Witness   John HORNSBY
Witness   John PATTINSON
Register note   Banns - Bride made her mark.
Title: Re: Featherstons of Alston
Post by: scotiagirl on Wednesday 05 October 16 19:21 BST (UK)
Thankyou so much, rosie99.  Forgive my ignorance but what exactly does "Banns - bride made her mark" mean?  Thanks again.
Title: Re: Featherstons of Alston
Post by: rosie99 on Wednesday 05 October 16 19:27 BST (UK)
It means Banns were read before the marriage and that they were not married by Licence

Bride made her mark means that she made a x instead of a signature, she probably could not sign her name
Title: Re: Featherstons of Alston
Post by: *Sandra* on Wednesday 05 October 16 19:28 BST (UK)
Banns are a legal requirement for Church of England weddings. Your intention to marry is announced by your minister on three Sundays in the three months before the wedding. They must be read in your parish church, as well as in the church where the ceremony is to take place.
The bride could not write her name - so X was her mark

Sandra
Title: Re: Featherstons of Alston
Post by: scotiagirl on Wednesday 05 October 16 22:50 BST (UK)
Thanks rosie99 and Sandra.  That's very helpful.  So rosie99, when you say they weren't married by license, there was no marriage license/document? Would the church not require a license?  Sorry for all the questions....
Title: Re: Featherstons of Alston
Post by: *Sandra* on Wednesday 05 October 16 23:14 BST (UK)
Your couple had there banns read in Church on three Sundays in the 3 months prior to the wedding.
People got married by licence because they didn't want to wait for the banns to be read/posted on 3 separate occasions.
It is either done one way or the other.

Sandra
Title: Re: Featherstons of Alston
Post by: scotiagirl on Thursday 06 October 16 01:04 BST (UK)
Thanks a bunch, Sandra.  Much clearer now.