Well, the marriage certificate of Alfred Hodson and Elizabeth Hutchin (nee Harris) has arrived. JM said last week: "PS, if there's blanks on that 1873 mc where the vital family history re parents/ages/occupations ought to be, please let us know, as there's ways and means to overcome the apparent brickwalls, .... they are only hurdles."
Right on the money, JM. The birthplace, age, parents names and father's occupation columns are blank. The marriage took place on 4th October 1873 at the house of the Revd George Woolnough, MA, Bathurst, according to the forms of the Wesleyan Church. Alfred was a bachelor and a wheelwright, Elizabeth was a widow. Witnesses were John Burns and Anne Rowan (her mark). Alfred also made his mark, while Elizabeth signed.
Although I'm convinced that Alfred was the son of James Hodson and Ann Wilson, it would be good to have some proof. Even an age would be useful! I've been looking up vital records and census returns and so on during the week and it all fits perfectly, with James being the son of the convict Thomas Hod(g)son. I suppose my next step should be Alfred/s death certificate, but it gets a bit expensive (for someone not a direct ancestor) and I already know about his wife, children, death date and burial place from death notices. His death registration says his parents were James and Ann, so I might just have to make the leap.
Thanks for everyone's help - I'm a lot further now than I was last week!
