Eliza Grey

[hunterterri58]

Hello
I am looking for your expert opinion please.

Eliza Grey married Thomas Harold in 1844 in Scole Norfolk.  They are both of full age.  In the 1841 census Eliza is living in Scole and says she is from Norfolk and she is 15, making her born around 1826.

In 1851 they are living in Scole and she is 26, again making her born around 1825 and she says she was born in Diss.

In 1861 they are still living in Scole and she is 33, making her born around 1828 and she says again she was born in Diss.

In 1871, still in Scole, she is 43, so again that is 1828 and still born in Diss.

In 1881 they are now in Diss and she is 54 so that is 1827 and still born in Diss.

In 1891 she is now a widow, living in Bressingham and 65 so that is about 1826 and born in Diss and she is now a widow.

In 1901 she is living with her grandson at 74 years old so that would be 1827 and is born in Diss.

Her death certificate says she was 79 at her death in 1906, again making it around 1827.  She died in Diss.

The marriage certificate gives her father as John Grey, a labourer.

The problem comes in finding her birth.  The only Eliza Grey I can find in Diss born to a John Grey was baptised in Diss on 31 October 1823.  The spelling is  Gray, but the only other Eliza Grey is baptised in 1831, but although the England Select christenings records says Norwich, the actual transcript says Lowestoft, Suffolk.

So as you can see I am just a little confused.  I know they can be unsure of their age, but because it is quite a difference I feel concerned.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated on this.

Thank you 

Teresa

In 1901

[emeltom]

I would say that the 1823 baptism is probably correct. It was not uncommon in those days for people to be unsure of their age. Most were illiterate at that time, hemce the different spellings of surnames. They couldn't spell so didn't know if the Parish Clerk had got it right or not. More than likely they had no arithmetic skills either. When searching for a baptism I always  give the age as +/- 5 years.
Emeltom

[rosie17]

I would also say the baptism is correct ...would I be correct in saying this would be a baptism for a sister Caroline Gray 1825 Diss  Norfolk father John mother Ann ...looks like she died as Caroline Grey
Age 10 1835 ..Also going by the census record 1841 would this be the baptism for her sister Sarah Ann Cory Gray 1837 Scole Norfolk ?

Rosie

[Gadget]

I agree, it's most likely the 1823.

A way of checking would be to see if there are any deaths/marriages/ census entries for another Eliza Grey b.c. 1823. It's not fool proof but would help.

Gadget

[trish1120]

If born c 1827 should would be underage to marry 1844.
So I think the 1823 is correct too
Parish Record of Marriage is on FreeREG, no mention of with Parents permission if she was underage.

[trish1120]

There are possible earlier Baptisms in Burston (near Diss) for John/Ann Gray

MARY ANN, 16 Oct 1814
ROBERT, 25 Aug 1816
DINAH, 1 Nov 1818
PINSBY, 14 May 1820 (female) actual record is EMILY, also as Emily 16 May 1820

Mary Ann has Mother as Ann Lockwood Gray and another record, Ann LOCKWOOD

Source Familysearch.Org

What made me look back further is that in 1851 John/Ann are visiting in Parham, Suffolk;

Henry Clarke, 45
Louisa Clarke, 35
Eliza Gooch, 42
Jane Patnoster, 30
ROBERT Gray, 35, Servant,Unm, Farm Steward, born Scole, Norfolk****
William Buckingham, 26
Henry Buckingham, 30
JOHN Gray, 57, Visitor, Mar, Ag Lab, born Scole, Norfolk****
ANN Gray, 55, Visitor, Mar, born Scole****

So visiting their Son?

[trish1120]

Looks good;

1861 Ann Gray is born c 1794 Thorndon, Suffolk

Ann LOCKWOOD Christened  11 June 1794, Thorndon, Suffolk
Parents JOHN and SARAH FLYNN Lockwood

Marriage;
Ann LOCKWOOD
Age 20, birth 1794   
18 August 1814   Long Stratton St. Mary'S, Norfolk, England
Spouse John GRAY
Age 17, birth 1797

Both on F/S.Org

[rosie17]

Would agree Trish that's the same parent's I was looking at 

[trish1120]

Great minds think alike Rosie


Also John Gray, Grandson in 1861 Census, born c 1850;

With his Aunty in 1851

William Harrold, 32
Maria Harrold, 28
Mary Ann Harrold, 4
John Gray, 1, Relative, born Scole***

Likely Baptised 1850, Scole, as John Henry,  Mother SARAH Gray
(FreeREG)

Maria married William 1843 (FreeREG)