Trying to find JAMES WILSON - a.k.a. - JAMES FINBOW

[christopherpm]

A Hannah Finbow appears to marry a William G Murrell in Ipswich in the March quarter of 1913 (Free BMD). There really can't be that many Hannah Finbows marrying Murrells.... ....but that appears to make sense of the NOW Murrell in 1921.

From good ol' FreeBMD:
Marriages Mar 1913
Finbow Hannah Murrell Ipswich 4a 1653
Murrell William G Finbow Ipswich 4a 1653

I may be wrong, but my guess is that George & Hannah did not marry. This may explain why James is registered as Finbow, uses Finbow as a surname and why, when Hannah married in 1913 she is named as Finbow.
It may well be that if James was illegitimate that he, like many others in the same position, would fudge the situation a little at the time of his marriage.

But it may be an even mre complex story as in the post linked above, it states:

I believe his father was Robert George Finbow.

That 1913 marriage, if you believe it to be the correct Hannah, will give you her father's name. Ordering details as per post above.

Thanks for all the info. James was listed on his marriage certificate as Wilson, and his wife as Lily Barr. However, I have the divorce document here, and it starts:-

"The Petition of Lily Finbow also known as Lily Wilson suing as a poor person SHEWETH:-

1. That on the 29th day of December 1921 your Petitioner then Lily Barr, spinster, was lawfully married to James Finbow described in the marriage certificate as James Wilson (hereinafter called the Respondent) at 90½ Great Hamilton Street in the District of Calton in the Burgh of Glasgow.

2. .......and there is issue of the marriage now living two children namely <edited as dates of birth are well past our cut off date for births of 1908. LesleyB>.."

So, both <children> appear to have adopted the name of Finbow, and subsequently had two children who were known as either Finbow or Wilson.... It makes you wonder just what the heck was going on.

[JustJean]

When tracking down somewhat nefarious rellies I like to develop a timeline to help flesh out the missing information....

I'm totally agreeing with the others in that the birth in 1901 Lambeth is possibly the correct one. It's very common to find illegitimate children using the surnames of their supposed fathers in their lifetimes but almost always (and by law) they are found registered under the mum's maiden name. There was no formal procedure for changing a surname and as long as it was not for illegal intent there was no harm done.

So next we have a primary source marriage by declaration in December of 1921 in Scotland

You have further data indicatiing the births of two children <names edited> and dates of birth <dates edited> but we're not yet sure where they were born. Since James the father was in the Gordon Highlanders I'm thinking this Ardersier, Inverness birth looks very likely....Especially since Lily's mum's mn was McColl.

<edited as date of birth is well past our cut off date for births of 1908. LesleyB.>

This of course would have to be proven by either purchasing an extract or some in person reserach in the Scottish modern records.

Choosing one for <name edited> in 1927 isn't so easy. I'm not seeing any in Inverness and I"m not seeing any with an obvious middle name so this is one that would also require in person research in the Modern records to ascertain parent names to see if there is a good fit.

Now we know there is a divorce but I'm not sure the date of this and not finding anyting in the NAS catalogue so wonder if it was in England..........however........ he had to be divorced and remarried between 1927ish and 1929 before he married your gran! Not a huge window there! Makes me wonder if he had wife number 2 in the wings prior to 1927!

So now let's jump over Hannah Finbow. Interesting to note that the marriage that Lesley found surely looks to be the right mother for your James. Also interesting to note that she likely had a Murrell child later the same year of her marriage so she was still in her child bearing years....

<edited as date of birth is well past our cut off date for births of 1908. LesleyB>.

Yet a search in the 1911 census indexes doesn turn up a Hannah Finbow of childbearing years!

I think you're going to have to invest in some deeper research or some extracts to make a bit more headway!

Best wishes
Jean

[LesleyB]

Jean

Now we know there is a divorce but I'm not sure the date of this and not finding anyting in the NAS catalogue so wonder if it was in England..........however........ he had to be divorced and remarried between 1927ish and 1929 before he married your gran! Not a huge window there! Makes me wonder if he had wife number 2 in the wings prior to 1927!

The post made here by chris15345 http://boards.ancestry.myfamily.com/sur ... 21/mb.ashx
states

Now, the interesting part - he was a bigamist. He was (so I am told) already wed when he "married" my Grandmother.

which goes some way to explain things.
So perhaps that part is already explained.

Best wishes
Lesley

[LesleyB]

* please try to avoid giving names, dates and places of brith for people who may still be living

[JustJean]

Jean

Now we know there is a divorce but I'm not sure the date of this and not finding anyting in the NAS catalogue so wonder if it was in England..........however........ he had to be divorced and remarried between 1927ish and 1929 before he married your gran! Not a huge window there! Makes me wonder if he had wife number 2 in the wings prior to 1927!

The post made here by chris15345 http://boards.ancestry.myfamily.com/sur ... 21/mb.ashx
states

Now, the interesting part - he was a bigamist. He was (so I am told) already wed when he "married" my Grandmother.

which goes some way to explain things.
So perhaps that part is already explained.

Best wishes
Lesley

Lesley thanks for that link. Doesn't clear up anything yet for me though as the thread on here had the year 1929 stated but from using the data found in the link the only marriage that fits was recorded Jan-Feb-Mar 1939 That makes a huge difference....as in probably not the same Finbow since this date is a decade after the charge of bigamy.

Apologies for violating the cut off dates but I always forget when I get on the trail of an interesting query.

-----------------------------------------

To: christopherpm

Please read your Private Message and let me know if I can help!

Best wishes
Jean