Genealogy Chat

Tks SylviainCanada and safc for the further info especially as to his reason of death.
Will be sending for both marriage certs to try and find further info.

Once again tks for you input.

so according to this, Elizabeth was born in 1859

from ancestry

England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975

Name: Elizabeth Schmidt
Gender: Female
Baptism Date: 4 Jan 1863
Baptism Place: Newtown United Methodist, Bristol, Gloucester, England
Father: Jacob Schmidt
Mother: Esther
FHL Film Number: 1565233 IT 17-18



according to this record, she was 4 weeks old when baptised

England & Wales, Christening Index, 1530-1980

Name: Elizabeth Schmidt
Gender: Female
Birth Date: abt 1862
Christening Date: 4 Jan 1863
Christening Place: Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
Christening Age: 4w
Father: Jacob Schmidt
Mother: Esther


I can't look at the image of the first record (it isn't available) ......... but I guess that what must have happened is that the transcriber of that record misread 4 wk as 4 yr.

There is only 1 birth registration for an Elizabeth Schmidt in Gloucestershire between 1855 and 1865 .........

Births Mar 1863 (>99%)
SCHMIDT Elizabeth Clifton 6a 112

I don't know if this is a reasonable explanation but the name Jacob Schmitt sounds Jewish. (hope I am not stereotyping her).

I am not familiar with Jewish customs but reading a bit on google there seems to be 2 ceremonies. One which is a 'betrothal' at a young age after which the bride and groom live at home as single people but they are considered legally 'married' and a later marriage - possibly 1 or 2 years later after which they live as man & wife.

Someone will probably know definitely but would a registrar have been present on both occasions?



edit - just re-reading what Sylvia has found the baptism of Elizabeth took place ina Baptist church so probably not the above explanation. Interesting though.

Lancashire Ann .....

the second marriage took place in Church of England in Lydney, so I don't think the Jewish theory holds in this case

I agree Sylvia - that's why I added the edit but I though I would leave the rest there just for general info. It was certainly a tradition I did not know about.

Plus Elizabeth was the only member of either family that had 2 marriage registrations.

My theory ............. they went off and got married, but she hadn't got parental permission, and then parents insisted she was too young.

It will be interesting to see what the certificate actually says!

I wonder if they then got the first marriage "annulled" or whatever can be done in that case.

Is it considered legal if she was underage and married without parental permission AND the parents then complained?

Britishnewspapers has the notice of marriage,,


1882 on the 6th April at the Parish Church to Elizabeth youngest daughter of Herr Schmidt.

Western Daily Press and his name also appears in the Western Courier,