Conflicting Info Help!

[Arkwright]

Here's my latest puzzle to keep the old grey matter from going stale.

My GG Grandfather John Abbott c1823 Lincolnshire is shown in the 1871 Census as being married to a lady named Maria.

Maria also appears in the 1881 census.

However, in the 1861 census she is shown as Mary.

Until recently I haven't been looking at completing this part of my tree until some kind soul got in touch with me and said he thought we were researching the same family.

He sent me his Gedcom file and he has my GG Grandfather John Abbott as being married to Mary Ann Ledgit which sort of fits in with the 1861 census.

As one should with these things, I didn't take his word for it and decided to look more closely at this particular line of enquiry. I can see where Mary Ann Ledgit could fit in, as I have found a marriage at around the right time to a John Abbott.

However, the waters have been muddied somewhat by the arrival of my Great Grandfathers (Thomas Henry ABBOTT 1868) birth certificate today that names his mother as MARIA NEAL (possibly VEAL)

It could be a simple case of him marrying Mary Ann LEDGIT and then going on to marry Maria NEAL, but I'm struggling to find any connection between John Abbott and Maria NEAL.

The marriage to Mary Ann LEDGIT was Sept 1859 Goulceby, Lincolnshire if that's of any use.

If anyone could proffer any suggestions on this one I would be eteranlly grateful...

Regards
Steve

[Manchester Rambler]

This might help...

Marriages Sep 1853
ABBOTT    John       
VEAL    Maria        
Horncastle 7a 767


Rambler

[Arkwright]

Looks like i'm having another blonde day....

That helps quite alot thank you...don't know how I missed it.

I know their first child was born in 1855 so it fits in date wise.

I have Johns parents information, so I guess a marriage certificate is in order.

Thnaks Rambler

[ShaunJ]

So John married Maria Veal in 1853, and was still married to her in 1871 and 1881. So he couldn't have (legitimately) married Mary Ann Ledgit in 1859. So was that another John Abbott who married Mary Ann? It  seems an odd coincidence that the marriage to Mary Ann Ledgit took place in Goulceby, where your John Abbott was living in 1861 (if I've got the right census entry), and where his daughter Mary Ann was born.   Muddy waters indeed !

[Manchester Rambler]

I can see 3 couples called John/Mary (A) Abbott on the 1861 census in Lincolnshire - wonderful potential for confusion!

I think the John who married Mary Ann Ledgit was born c1828, Fulletby: their only child in 1861 is a 2 week-old baby.

John b. c1829 Tetford has 4 children aged 1-10.

Rambler

[Arkwright]

Just been looking at John Abbott b. c1829 in the 1861 census and notice amongst others, the presence of a David LIDGETT.

Similar enough to Mary LEDGIT wouldn't you agree?

I think this may rule this family out of the equation, certainly for the time being.

I'll let you all know what John and Mary/Maria's marriage certificate reveals when it arrives (which should only take about 6 weeks while 'Who Do You Think You Are' graces our small screens.)

[ShaunJ]

Agreed. That looks pretty conclusive. I couldn't find any Ledgits in the 1851 census so guessed we were looking for a family Ledgett or something similar.

[pbshelley]

I found this thread whilst searching on one of my ancestors, the Veals. I think I solved this conundrum late last year. However, judging by the date of the original post I am not sure if anyone is still following this. If the original poster is still around, I would like to correspond as we are related through the Abbot's / Veals. LMK. PBS

[BillyF]

Unfortunately, I can`t help you with your family, but the original poster was last active on the forum in 2019.

Also you need to make 3 posts before you can use pms.