Genealogy Forum UK

Ah! He didn't die, and yet Sarah is saying she is a widow.......

In 1871 he is lodging with Henry and Elizabeth Tolley in Park Street, Oldbury, age 32 - a Miner - no marital status - born Tipton

In 1881 he is in the "Union Workhouse" Hallam St A Pauper - age 43 - Married - Coal Miner - born Tipton

In 1891 he is in the Union Workhouse - age 55 - Single - Coal Miner - born Tipton

1901 ??

In 1911 he is in a Lodging House, 13 & 15 & 17 Birmingham Rd, Oldbury - age 78 - Married - a Collier - born Tipton

Eli died in 1917 age 79

1881
Eli French Pauper
Age 43 Birth year 1838 town Tipton Staffordshire
Married Occupation Coal Miner
Union Workhouse, Hallam Street, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England

rockyfowler wrote: ↑Wed Sep 24, 2025 6:43 am Eli died in 1917 age 79

1881
Eli French Pauper
Age 43 Birth year 1838 town Tipton Staffordshire
Married Occupation Coal Miner
Union Workhouse, Hallam Street, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England

This would be correct cos she is marrying George's French's brother Eli.......

Name Sarah French
Record Type Bann
Marriage Banns Date 16 Oct 1859
Marriage Banns Place Tipton, St Martin, Staffordshire, England
Spouse Eli French
Religion Anglican
Page number 367

So why would it say Sarah Williams here ....

Marriage info added by Jan and looked up by RF 18-4-12
11 Dec 1859 St Thomas Dudley
Eli French bach miner Dudley George French miner
Sarah Williams full spinster Dudley James Williams miner
banns
Eli signed X Sarah
Wit - X Edward Edwin Goodwin X Sarah Brown

On the Banns page the vicar wrote
*Not Married
Refused on the grounds of relationship – brother`s wife

It was against the law in England from the Marriage Act 1835 to marry your deceased husband's brother until 1921 when the Deceased Brother's Widow's Marriage Act made such marriages legal again. Before the 1835 act, such a marriage was voidable but not outright illegal, meaning it could be annulled.

Thanks RF, you beat me to it

Prior to 1921: For many years in England, it was illegal to marry a deceased wife's sister or a deceased husband's brother.

So she remarried in her maiden name of Williams

All added now..........

https://www.tribalpages.com/tribe/brows ... =535074820

Completed with thanks