Shifnal Marriage for Glover to Bird

[janmary]

Hi

I'm wondering if anyone can help me find a marriage?

My husband's GGG Grandfather, William Glover (b 1773 Broseley) married Rebecca Bird at Shifnal (Shropshire) on 4 Jan 1796.  As I am unable to find a baptism for Rebecca Bird (b 1777 Shifnal) I am wondering if she was a widow when she married William and finding the marriage may help.

I would very much appriciate any help.

Janet

[CaroleW]

If Rebecca was only b 1777 and married in 1796 - it's most unlikely she was a widow

[Ruskie]

Have you checked later than her expected birth? Perhaps a late baptism, or not baptised at all.

Many of us are missing births/baptisms the further back we go - agree with Carole that it's doubtful she's a widow at the age of 19. Stranger things have happened, but you'll probably be better off exploring all other possibilities before looking for an earlier marriage.

Have you investigated parishes other than Shifnal for Rebecca's baptism?

Have you personally checked the Shifnal parish registers?

[Ruskie]

Not many Birds in Shifnal (I think it's generally a Norfolk surname).

There is a William and Mary Byrd christening children around the right time in Shifnal. Do you know the names of any of Rebecca's siblings? (trying to match up parents and children  ) The IGI covers Shifnal at this time, so if baptised, she should be there. 

[janmary]

I have carried out all my research for Rebecca on the Internet.  I know the IGI is pretty thorough with its info although I know some info is missing.  I've tried everything to find Rebecca which has made me think she might have been married to a Bird.

I have found a Rebecca Onions married to Henry Bird in Wellington on 22 April 1793.  There is also a child, Mary, baptised in 1794 in Wellington.  Was Henry much older and was he from Shifnal?  I cannot find a baptism for Henry in Wellington but there is one in Shifnal in 1753!  There is a baptism for Rebecca Onians in Wellington in 1774.

This is just a theory, but there are Onions and Bird(s) in Shifnal so there could be a link between the families in Wellington and Shifnal, there is not a huge distance between them.  Rebecca is claiming to be born in Shifnal in the 1851 Census - maybe she was but then baptised in Wellington because of family links there.  (My son was born in Hertfordshire but baptised in Yorkshire where my parents live!)

So, I'm wondering if it would state she was a widow or spinster at the marriage to William Glover in 1796 at Shifnal?  Is there a death for Henry Bird between 1793-96 at Wellington or Shifnal?