Genealogy Forum UK

I'm trying to find the connection between my paternal grandmother Eliza Jane Ruston born 1898 Blackheath Rowley Regis with the Woodward family of Gorsty Hill Halesowen and Hackett Street Blackheath.
Lily Woodward was a witness at Eliza Jane's wedding to Frank Williams at St Pauls Blackheath 1920.
Lily's future husband Horace Hill was the other witness.

Hi Rob,

There this marriage for,
Marriage, Sep 1897.
WOODWARD Joseph.
RUSTON Maria. Cradley Heath, Holy Trinity, Sandwell Register Office. 19/2/444.

Thanks Jimmy!
Maria Ruston thats the link!!
But who was Maria Ruston??
BCC !! Is it on there?

1901 census.
All born Rowley Regis, living in Rowley Regis.
Joseph Ruston, 28. Rivet maker.
Maria, 22.
ELIZA JANE. 3.
Hannah 2,

1881 Census

Rowley Regis.

64 Birmingham Rd

Eliza Rushton. 24.
Joseph Rushton. 27.
Maria Rushton. 2.
William Rushton. 6 months.

Marriages Dec 1876.

RUSTON Joseph. QUOIT Eliza. Dudley, St Thomas, Dudley Register Office. 204/033/392.

Quoit Eliza . Dudley 6c 113.
RUSTON Joseph. Dudley 6c 113.

Marriages Mar 1876
Hinton Eliza. Birmingham 6d 114.
Rushton Joseph. Birmingham 6d 114.

This should be WOODWARD not Ruston
1901 census.
All born Rowley Regis, living in Rowley Regis.
Joseph Ruston, 28. Rivet maker.
Maria, 22.
ELIZA JANE. 3.
Hannah 2,



Joseph Woodward, 28, Rivet maker.
Maria, 22,
Eliza Jane, 3.
Hannah. 2.

My grandmother Eliza Jane Ruston married Frank Williams 1920 and the name on the certificate as father of the bride is Joseph William Ruston.
This is confusing me now.

Not James?

No,the name was Joseph William Ruston and i think he was still alive in 1920 cos it didn't say deceased as it did by Edward Williams father of Frank.

Can you post all the marriage details Rob? Have you seen the certif?

Rob I have an awful feeling that you actually dont connect to James William Ruston and Polly aka Mary Ann Cole...well not via Eliza J Ruston.

I have been having a look and on the 1901 census you have James William Rustona and Mary ann (polly) Cole with a "Lizzie" Ruston.
Now on bmsgh there is a Lizzie Ruston b 1897 so that one is her.

Then you have an Eliza J Ruston regis 1897 and that one I bet is yours and your line.

Because I think that your Eliza J had parents Joseph Woodward and Maria Ruston.
They married in Sept qtr 1897 as Jimmy flagged

Marriages Sep 1897
RUSTON Maria Dudley 6c 97
Woodward Joseph Dudley 6c 97

Births Jun 1897
Ruston Eliza Jane Dudley 6c 94

So Eliza was born out of wedlock it would seem and so registered in her mothers name of Ruston.

You say that you have seen the marriage cert but I wonder if the surname is actually Woodward for father I think it is worth buying that.
Or getting a look up done
It is so easy to see the name of the bride and the fathers first name without looking at the surname.

how did you come to the conclusion that James William was the father for your Eliza?

What are the names that you know of of your Eliza J sisters...do you know for deffo that Lily is a sister....or names of Elizas brothers that you know for fact.

Dont delete anything on connections thought cos the info going back is sound it is just a query now on Eliza and her line

Just flagging this with you Rob to see if we can archive it until the look up is hopefully done!

So unless otherwise advised this topic will be moved to archived enquiries within 24 hrs.