Any ideas why this couple did not marry???

[cass75]

Something that's puzzling me!

A couple I've been looking at on my family tree were living together as man and wife on the 1881 census. Their eldest child was born in 1875 and they had a further five children who were all baptised with the mothers surname (Singleton) and no father's name (Nelson), although they are all down as Nelson on the censuses.

This couple went on to marry in 1888 and then had two more "legitimate" children.

They lived very near the church and they cared enough to baptise their children, so why didn't they marry earlier rather than having six children with the stigma of being illegitimate.

I've no evidence to show either were married before.

Just curious to know if anyone has any ideas as to why!!!

[snackdahl]

My GG Grandparents on my mothers side started having children in 1885 and didn't marry until 1914, all the children apart for the first one having the fathers surname. I thought they had married due to the outbreak of war, but it turns out that she was terminally ill and died only a few months later 

[jim1]

Illegitimate children were given the mothers name unless the father was present to give his consent to them having his name.It may be the Rector refused on the basis they weren't married.

jim

[Comosus]

I have a similar situation: My 4G grandmother had an illegitimate child and a few years later claimed to have married, and had about half a dozen children with her 'husband', although there is no record of the marriage.

[jim1]

Although you haven't found evidence one (or both) weren't previously married doesn't mean they weren't,it may be they had to wait for a previous spouse to die before remarrying.

jim