Genealogy Chat

I have the marriage certificate of Sarah Clark who married Thomas Priest in Bromley (By Bow) in 1875. My problem is confirming I have the right family. Sarah's father on the marriage certificate was John Clark who was an 'ivory turner'. I immediately went to the 1871 census, hoping to find her at home with her family. I immediately found a likely family in Bromley with the right dob for Sarah. If her father had been an ivory turner, it would have clinched it for me, but he was listed as a starch maker in 1871 and in every census from 1851 to 1891. Sarah appeared in the 1881 census and thereafter under her new name of Priest. Unfortunately what clouds the issue is that she is variously described as having been born in Moorfields, Clerkenwell and Cripplegate (but not Bromley) although all these areas are close by. I want to send for her birth certificate, but, Clark is very common. I have also searched under Clarke. Any ideas?

Was John, the ivory turner a witness at his daughter's marriage? If not, he could have been long dead. Have you looked for the family in 1861?

John wasn't a witness, but was just listed as bride's father. If I have found the right family in the census, he was still alive in 1891. But that assumes I have got tthe right Clark family. Also I wonder how skilled a job an ivory turner is. Would a skilled man always be working in a factory (presumably) as a starch maker.

Any more ideas??

Christine From the 1871 census details, can you find a likely mother for Sarah? We could try to find their marriage record. Suzy

What is Sarah's occupation on her marriage certificate? Suzy

Roughly, when was Sarah born? Merry

Sarah born c1855, no occupation on marriage cert. Have trawled through poss censuses and think I have found her in 1871 when at home with family, but just needed extra proof. She is in the 1881 with under married name of Priest

Just to eliminate something....... I did a search on 1837online 1861 census index for John Clark* occupation Ivory* and the results show nil.......pity but at least you know there is less likelyhood of an obvious John Clark with the right occupation hiding somewhere ! Merry

Many thanks, Merry...just one of those tricky ones. I sooo want it to be the starch maker family. Feel as if I have adopted them anyway now!!! But useless if I'm on wild goose chase. I next plan to search Sarah's siblings in the vain hope will turn up a witness or something who will confirm connection...but think I will have to spend some money.