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I cannot trace some records relating to particular people within my study. I wonder whether YOU can help? I challenge you to find:

Was Sarah a Bigamist?

My 2x great grandmother Sarah Brown on her marriage certificate to William Greathead in 1852 was described as a spinster . On the birth certificate of her first son Thomas in 1853 she describes herself as Sarah Greathead formerly Brown On the birth certificate of her following sons Peter in 1855, William in 1858 and George in 1861 she describes herself as Sarah Greathead formerly Brown late Taylor. On the 1851 census Sarah can be found with her parents Peter and Isabella (nee Baker) Brown and is listed as single. Had she married before this date and the family were covering up, or maybe they did not know? Maybe it was a short marriage and her husband died or was he paid off? I searched long and hard for a possible marriage of Sarah to a Mr Taylor. I found what may be the marriage on 18 December 1847. Sarah Brown aged 21 married James Taylor in Stanhope. Sarah's father was Peter Brown a labourer. The witnesses are not family members. Did Sarah fib about her age as she did not have parental approval? then searched for a possible death of James Taylor prior to 1851. I identified four candidates 1848/Q1 Darlington 24-36, 1849/Q3 Auckland 24-12, 1850/Q1 Auckland 24-7 or 1850/Q3 Houghton le Spring 24-115 and bought their death certificates. None of these were the correct James Taylor. I am pretty sure I have the correct Brown family as Peter Greathead was the informant of Isabella Brown's death in 1872 and was described as her grandson. My latest theory is since she declared on the birth certificate of her second child she had been married before, had she received news of James death or just declared him dead, since it was seven years since her first marriage?

Anyone know where the records are kept for people declared dead without a body?

This site may be linked to but not duplicated in any way, wholly or in part, except for private study. I must stress that although due care has been taken I cannot guarantee the information to be accurate. Contact me if you have any further information, photographs, stories or if you find any errors I will happily correct them. Information of living persons is not included.

from 20 May 2007