Seeking Family of Mary Ann Fisher, born Oct. 1895, Basford

[Ruskie]

Cocksie,
I think your idea about quizzing Nottingham University about what information the records might typically contain within the timeframes we are looking at (as they may vary over time), and how long a search might take, is an excellent one. As is requesting one or two lookups initially and considering others at a later date. 

[CarolRR]

Cocksie, I did contact Derbyshire Archives (and Ilkeston Historical Society) but haven't received a reply yet from either of them.
My brother's DNA results just came back ...  2 of his main surname matches are (get this) Dickens and Potter.  Honestly, you couldn't write this stuff - it reads like a Dickens story!
I will respond to N'ham Uni with more questions before deciding what to do and how far to go with them.  Thanks for all the good advice and guidance!

[susan hemmings]

  Carol

Talk about The Pickwick Papers!

Stretch out, take a breather, bless you. 

Susan

[CarolRR]

Hi Rootschatters - so happy to be back here with news!  Guess what the cat dragged in today? 

Certified Copy of an Entry of Marriage
March 8th, 1896
James Hall, 20, Bachelor, (Profession) Miner, (Residence) Ilkeston, (Father) William Hall, Brass Finisher
Harriet Fisher, 22, Spinster, "no Profession" of Ilkeston (Father) George Fisher, Miner
Married in the Parish Church according to the Rite and Ceremonies of the Established Church, after "banus"(?), by me, E. Muirhead Evans, Vicar
This Marriage was solemnized between us, James Hall and Harriet Fisher, in the presence of us,
George Brooks and Frances Ann Lettis


So ... any thoughts?

[ballydw]

Well Carol at least you now have confirmation that Harriett was married to him but maybe he wasnt Mary Anns father "hopefully". Regards Think the "banus" is probably BANNS

[ballydw]

Carol there is a site if you are interested as I think it was mentioned a lot earlier that James Hall was employed at the stanton iron works www.stantonironworks.co.uk
I had a look on the census for William Hall, (father of James.) born Smalley Derbyshire 1838
1861 William Hall Miner 22, Margaret Hall 20, George Hall 1 month living with Margarets parents George Turner & Mary Turner in Ripley Derbyshire.
1871 William Hall, Margaret Hall , George 10, Alfred 5, John 3, Mary 3 (twins I presume) Frances M 1yr Living in Handsworth Yorkshire.
1881 William is a widower, John 13, Mary 13, Frances M 11, William 8, Harry 6, JAMES 4, Harriett 2, George 20 Annie 19, Alfred, Living in Killamarsh, Derbyshire. Keep well & I hope you will have news soon from your archive searches. Regards Frances

[CarolRR]

Frances, thank you for looking-up the Hall family.  It's interesting ...  William must have sure had his hands full (or not) with being alone to raise all of those young children - I wonder how the rest of them turned out.
Fingers crossed that I hear something from Archives soon - the website did state that the office was only open a couple of days per week - I'll wait a couple more days and then send another email.
Again, I appreciate having this "Hall" information - thank you.

[Ruskie]

The marriage certifcate does not really give us much more than we already know, however it IS confirmation of the marriage and confirmation of the father's names. Can I ask if either of them signed their names on the certificate?

Of course we do not know nor will probably ever know if James Hall is the father of Mary Ann. As
the marriage took place so soon after the birth of mary Ann it does seem likely that James is the father (why would he marry someone who has recently given birth to someone else"s child - no, don't answer that - I know it happens  ). And as mentioned previously, Harriett herself may not be sure who Mary Ann's father was. 

We DO know that Harriett is Mary Ann's mother, so you have half of her tree to follow up.

The next step? With luck there will be further information found via some of your lines of enquiry, so we will have to see where they lead.

Maybe attempting to trace Harriett's other children to see if there are any descendants?

Death of James Hall? Harriett?

 

[CarolRR]

Hi Ruskie, thanks for your opinion.  I did receive a death cert for Harriet which wasn't the right Harriet Fisher, and I then ordered a second one, which I am waiting for.  I also ordered birth, marriage, death certificates from Derbyshire Historical Society for Harriet, Alice and John.  I don't think I can do more at this point, except wait patiently ...
It appears as though the marriage certificate was completed by one person, as all of the entries appear to be in the same hand, except for the signature of "E. Muirhead Evans, Vicar" which is in a darker, heavier ink.