For people who like puzzles

[indigo78]

Hi hoping someone can help me solve this puzzle. I know from a newspaper article Petersfield Hampshire Telegraph 1-3-1929 notice of death that Mrs Francis Emily Chitty was my great great grandmother born as Fanny Burden. Her first husband Alfred Bowden died in 1889. There are various records showing her as living with a Joseph William chitty and as her being stated as his wife. But I can not seem to find any marriage records to confirm this. I know that this newspaper article is correct as it mentions her daughter Mrs Gillard( my great grandmother ) and other family members. I know that they also moved around from Chelsea to Chertsey to Hampshire. The first census i find her in with Joseph is in the 1901 census. She is named as Emily Chitty. Would it be uncommon in those times for people to lie in newspaper articles and census records about being married. Like I said I cant seem to find any evidence they were actually married. Which is a bit of a puzzle seeing as she was widowed so would have been able to marry again. I'm interested to hear others thoughts on this. Unfortunately I'm unable to upload a attachment of the newspaper article as the file is too big.

[Jool]

It wasn't uncommon for people living together to lie about being married in order to "appear respectable".  Maybe Joseph William Chitty was still married to someone else, have you traced him back?

[RJ_Paton]

As said, Social stigma forced couples living together to claim a marriage where there may have been some other impediment to an actual marriage (or they just didn't want to go that route).

[indigo78]

In 1891 Joseph was a boarder in the household of a George Robertson  in Chelsea stated as single.

[RJ_Paton]

Although he is stated as single it would need further research to prove (or disprove) that. It would not be unusual for a man living apart from an estranged wife to claim single status.
I have one in my own lineage who lied about every aspect of his life.

[mckha489]

Link to the funeral report incase it helps others

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-share/4bba06e7-db1b-43fb-9421-eafc60baa110

[indigo78]

Link to the funeral report incase it helps others

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-share/4bba06e7-db1b-43fb-9421-eafc60baa110

Thank you.

[indigo78]

Although he is stated as single it would need further research to prove (or disprove) that. It would not be unusual for a man living apart from an estranged wife to claim single status.
I have one in my own lineage who lied about every aspect of his life.

That's very true.

[*Sandra*]

1911 census states married 14 years 

Sandra