Joseph Parker and Mary Elizabeth Smith Sedgley

[Sally4x]

I am looking for Joseph Parker and his wife Mary Elizabeth Smith who were in Sedgley. They are together on the 1861 census with Mary's mother Harriet and siblings. They also are with Mary's son Henry Williams who was the son from Mary's first marriage to a John Williams. I can't find this marriage record or Joseph and Mary's marriage record. Joseph and Mary had eight children of their own and then Mary died in 1900 followed by Joseph in 1902.

Any help with finding the missing marriage records would be appreciated.

Thanks

[maddys52]

Joseph PARKER and Mary Elizabeth (WILLIAMS) are unmarried in the 1861 census, and say they are married in 1871. It looks like their first child was born in Mar qtr 1863 (Sampson Eastop PARKER - is this correct?), so looking for a marriage possibly between 1861 and 1863.

Henry WILLIAMS born Mar qtr 1856 - is this correct? So a possible marriage for Mary Elizabeth SMITH and John WILLIAMS before then?

[maddys52]

There is a John WILLIAMS and Mary SMITH on the same page for marriages  at Dudley (6c/3) in june qtr 1855.
Likely this marriage (I can see transcription only) - John WILLIAMS and Mary SMITH married at Coseley 7 May 1855.

[Kay99]

There is a transcription on FindMyPast

John Williams
Spouse Mary Smith
Marriage 07 May 1855
Residence Coseley, Stafford

[LizzieL]

Henry Williams born 21 Feb 1856, bapt at Sedgeley 23 March 1856 s/o John and Mary Elizabeth Smith. transcript on Ancestry

[LizzieL]

Joseph PARKER and Mary Elizabeth (WILLIAMS) are unmarried in the 1861 census,

In 1861 Mary Elizabeth Williams is married, only Joseph is unmarried. So John Williams is still somewhere around. 

[LizzieL]

There is a death of a John Williams age 30 in the Dudley RD in Q3 1863. A possibility but John Williams is quite a common name.

[Sally4x]

Thanks - yes I had them on the 1861 census and tried to work from there. I still can’t find a marriage for Joseph and Mary Elizabeth though.

[LizzieL]

The death I found in 1863 may not be for the right John Williams, he may still be alive for many years more; and Joseph and Mary Elizabeth may never have been able to marry.