Genealogy Forum UK

I've been stuck on this one for years and would appreciate if anyone knows anything about the family or can give me any tips.

My gt gt grandfather was an Alfred John SALTER born February 1862 in Bristol, his parents were John SALTER and Jane Maria SULLIVAN. John and Jane married in October 1861 at St James', Bristol both were living in Harford Street.

I have been trying to find John SALTER and his family, his age on the marriage certificate is 23 (born about 1838) he has given his occupation as Boiler Maker, his father is David SALTER who was a Cordwainer (Shoemaker). John died in 1862 when Alfred was about 6 months old but I haven't been able to find a burial record for him or find him on any census records before he married

The problem I have is there is a family story that a son of a Lord of the Manor had run away with a maid called Maria O'Sullivan - I realise that he is clearly not a Lord of the Manor but it might be that his family didn't approve of the marriage and I'm beginning to think some of the information given is not correct (when marrying did they have to provide any evidence of the details given?

I have managed to find Jane on the censuses before she married and with her new husband John Geroge DENNING following John's death. But no such luck with John.

Thanks

Try 1861 census:

RG 9; Piece: 1727; Folio: 55; Page: 6;

Where John Salter is lodging next door to Henry Sullivan and family - an ancestry user has that John, son of David, marrying Jane Maria Sullivan.

Seems like a distinct possibility.

Paul