World's Matrimonial Institute Theophilus CAROLUS

[Jaznjjj]

I was re-examining a marriage certificate and decided to check out the witnesses.  On looking up Theophilus CAROLUS I discovered that he ran the 'World's Matrimonial Institute' at 471 Pitt Street, Sydney and was apparently responsible for arranging marriages for at least two thousand couples.  The marriage I am researching was in 1898 but his advertisements start in 1900 according to Trove.  He appears to have been originally  a house decorator in Melbourne and, according to one Trove article, he was a "sable-hued matrimonial man from Mauritius".  It seems that ministers of many denominations were available to conduct the ceremonies. 

Would be very happy to learn more about this institute and Mr CAROLUS.  I imagine he is a witness on many marriage certificates!   It seems at the time roughly one in four marriages were conducted through matrimonial agencies - though I have no supporting data for that other than one Trove quote. 

J

[majm]

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/167903293 7 June 1903, Truth

Includes artist sketch of Theophilus. 

Cheers,  JM

[majm]

And his wife

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/14647534 SMH 24 Aug 1904.

What a great gift is Trove.      

Cheers,  JM

[Jaznjjj]

Many thanks.  Will have a look now.  Yes, Trove is wonderful!   I wish the British newspaper searches were searchable in the same way.  J

[majm]

City of Sydney Assessment books

1911 page 90 Cook Ward
2 Henry St, Edith CAROLUS, a brick house, iron roof, two floors, four rooms, £23 pa gross annual value, (for assessing value for Council to determine the rates)  House owned by Municipal Council of Sydney.

1902 page 22 Phillip Ward
471 Pitt St, Thomas CAROLUS, Brick house, slate roof,  3 floors, 6 rooms £65 House owned by George R Whiting.

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/learn/history/archives

Cheers,  JM

[Aussie1947]

Hi,

1902 Sands, Sydney Directory.
Listed under Alphabetical.
The Art Decorating Co, Ecclesiastical and house decorators and general contractors, T, Carolus, manager, 471, Pitt St.
World's Matrimonial Institute, 471 Pitt St, South Sydney, near railway station., T. Carolus, manager.
 
Also
Listed under Streets.
471 Pitt St, World's Matrimonial Association, T. Carolus, manager.
471 Pitt St, The Art Decorating Co, Ecclesiastical and house decorators and general contractors, T, Carolus, manager.

Gerry

[Aussie1947]

1898 Sands Sydney & NSW Directory
Carolus T., manager, Art Decorating Company, 57, Phillip St.

Correct surname but probably wrong person.

Colonial Office List 1863
Mauritius
Gaols
Clerk, T. Carolus.

Colonial Office List 1870
Mauritius
Police Department
Clerk, T. Carolus.

Gerry

[Jaznjjj]

Interesting!   Theophilus not at the address in 1911 with Edith.  THOMAS at 471 Pitt Street in 1902.  Looks like I need to open a file for this family.  Have to work out whether the Pitt Street address (6 rooms) was the family's dwelling and/or an office and also the place where marriages were carried out.  Need to find out how the ministers/priests etc were recruited and whether  they performed the marriages at Pitt Street or in their own churches.  Were banns no longer posted?  From when could marriages be conducted at registry offices?  It looks like 1900 version of present-day on-line dating services!  It seems that Theophilus would have been quite an entrepreneur and businessman as well as being a 'colourful' character.  I wonder how that sat with the community?  Obviously his clientele had no issues and it seems he was filling an important societal niche.  J

[Jaznjjj]

Thank you Gerry, I'll see if it all goes together.  The geography is right and the timeline fits. A few more jigsaw puzzle pieces to be found - this is only a very new direction for research for me.  We know he came from Mauritius and that he was a house decorator in Melbourne.  J