Parish Records - c 1815 Bury St Edmunds Please - ARMSTRONG

[sabrina]

Tracey

If you get the marriage certificate, it should say where they were born, and who their parents were, and maybe their age.  sometimes it just says they were of age (older enough to be married)  This information isn't always on the certificates, depending on what the couple were prepared to put down.  Take note of the witnesses on the certificate, as they might be sisters or brothers.  This will help to recognize the family.  I did give you a couple of children born in Bury St. Edmunds.  There was a Jane Armstrong b:10.03.1818  ch:17.03.1819 F/Thomas Armstrong  M/Jane NOBLE  in St. Matthew, Ipswich, Suffolk. (LDS).  Ipswich is a fair way from Bury St. Edmunds. I wonder when she went to Northumberland.  My family moved around Suffolk, Cambridge, Norfolk and Northumberland.  If you find her parents names, they might be in Northumberland in the 1841 census.

sabrina

[Rick]

are they approachable without being drawn in on the religious front? I would hate to offend, but established religion is not my thing.

You do not need to be a member of the LDS church to use their facilities and I have never found them to be evangelical to non members.  Quite the reverse, they are just well informed dedicated family historians who will make you very welcome and do their very best to help you.

http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp

http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp

If you still do not feel comfortable visiting a LDS FHC, then most of Suffolk's Anglican Parish Records are for sale from the SRO on microfiche.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,129613.0.html

You need only buy the years that you interested in and if you do not own a fiche reader, you should be able to use one at your local library.

Rick

[Tracey W]

Thanks Rick for the very useful info and links, and the reassurance - I shan't be worried now to contact the LDS for help.

Tracey

[Tracey W]

Hi Sabrina

Thought I'd let you know that I now have the marriage certificate for Jane Armstrong and John Fenwick; it answers some questions and raises more!

They were married on 9th Dec 1837 but a line is drawn through where her father's name and profession should be given.  That must mean that she was illigitimate and the father not known.  One of the witnesses who signs the marriage certificate is an Elizabeth Armstong - perhaps a sister or her mother.  I have found an Elizabeth Armstong living, and born, in Bury St Edmunds in 1861 aged 61 so she would have been of the right age/time to be Jane's mother; she is unmarried and living with her brother Matthew who is a 64 year old clergyman - imagine the scandal! There are a number of Armstrong families around Hexham at this time, and perhaps the disgraced lady's baby  was sent of to relations there to hide the scandal.  My next step must be the parish records to find out if this is a true link or just a romantic wish on my part.

I have learned that Jane already had a daughter (Jane Armstrong b1834 in Northumberland) when she married John, and this younger Jane - following the family tradition - also had an illigitimate child - the William Armstong b1855 living with his grandparents in 1861.

Many thanks for your help and inspiration.
Tracey

[sabrina]

Tracey

Good that you are getting somewhere at last.  The marriage certificate should tell you where they were married, and might help with the film, as to which church.  The Rick who answered above is the moderator, and they are always very helpful, and knowledgeable.  I have been away for a few weeks.  Hope you find what you want.

sabrina