We also know that our ancestors weren’t always truthful when they gave information to be entered on forms or when they talked to enumerators.
Here is a perfect example.
Bessie Lindsay is my Grandaunt on my paternal side. She was my grandmother’s younger sister. She married William Bryant Curry, Jr. on 11 Sep 1911 in Windsor, Essex, Ontario, Canada. Her status on the marriage record is listed as spinster (what we now call single).
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| MARRIAGE OF BESSIE LINDSAY TO WILLIAM CURRY - 1911 |
Now look at her marriage to Stewart Frances Hockster on 19 Jul 1913 in Windsor, Essex, Ontario, Canada.
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| MARRIAGE OF ELIZABETH AKA BESSIE LINDSAY TO STEWART HOCKSTER - 1913 |
What is her status listed as? Spinster. Not divorced or widowed.
And her name is listed as? Lindsay….not Curry.
We learned that Bessie did divorce her first husband, William Curry and gained full custody of their minor child.
Why did Bessie aka Elizabeth say she was a spinster when she appeared before the magistrate for the second marriage? Was it because back in those days it wasn’t considered desirable to be a divorced woman? This is not the first incident of this kind that I have found in my family. Or was there another reason? We may never know.
TIP: Always look at all the details on any document. Never believe everything you see on any document. With good research techniques you can combine evidence and come to a solid conclusion.
Other posts you may be interested in:
WHERE WERE THEY MARRIED WEDNESDAY?
Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl
Copyright © 2014 Diane Gould Hall
