Its a bit complicated but isnt it always.
Great great Grandfather is Thomas COX.
25th of December 1855 he marries Jane LANCASTER in St Martins Birmingham UK in St Pauls Chapel.
I have purchased their marriage certificate and have it here in my grubby hands.
Thomas lives at time of marriage in Staniforth St but it could also be Stainforth St, or Stamforth St and in Birmingham I have found all of these streets which is not helpful is it lol. Saying that the only Stamforth I can find on the census' seems to have only policemen living in it. And Thomas was not a policeman.
On the marriage certificate are witnesses - one of which is Mary Ann COX. Thomas is 22 at marriage and so is born in 1833. His father on the certificate is named as "Richard COX".
Both father and son have the same occupation - Brass Founder.
The Marriage is conducted by C. B. HUTCHINSON but could be HUTCHINSEN, HATCHINSEN.
Janes Father is John LANCASTER and he is a carpenter by trade.
Ok the problems
Thomas although 22 and getting married to Jane is a Widower already. I cannot isolate who he married before Jane. If I could perhaps I could order that certificate and maybe find Richard easier, but I doubt it.
There seems to be no way of getting back further unless I can find out who this Richard Cox is. And here in lies the main problem. There are two Richards that it could be and perhaps a third. Each Richard has a child called Thomas. Each family has a child called Mary Ann (the witness) however the two Richards are. . .
Richard COX - married to Sarah. Found them from start to finish on every census. They have a son called Thomas in 1832. And they have a daughter called Mary Ann Cox. (the possible witness for the wedding in 1855. But she would only be 8 and I have been reliably informed that she would be too young to be used as a witness. So is this my family. The Thomas in this family is a brass founder (which is a good match) in 1851. However the marriage certificate states occupation of father - Brass Founder. This families father (Richard) is a Brick Layer in 1841 with surname Cocks and in every other census he is a labourer until his death in 1873. In 1841 they live at Little Inklies but in 1851 and thereafter they live at 113 Hill St and never move. So this family are a possible but seem not to match on a few counts.
Richard COX - marries a Mary (unknown nee name). Now these I can find but without Richard. I can trace her through the census details, and she lives with her family, becoming the head of the family and stating herself as widow. Thomas in her household is the right age also b. 1833. However we last see her Thomas living with her in 1851 at 1 court N013 Weaman Row. He is 17 and is a strip caster. The next Census he is not living with her. This families Thomas does have a sister Mary Ann COX and she would be at the time of the wedding 24 years old, so would be a better option for the witness. But it could also be Thomas' mother. So two options for the witness Mary Ann COX in this family.
Thomas gets married 4 years after the 1851 census and is the head of his own household and living with his Jane. His occupation is Brass caster in his own household.
I have searched this to death and posted roughly the same question around the internet. No definitive answer has been forthcoming.
There are many Richard COX's but only around 5 with a Thomas as a son. Only 2 have a Thomas of around the right age and only 1 with a Thomas b. 1833. I really do not know what else I can do. And as this branch of my tree is of the most interest to me I really need to get further with it. My gut feeling is that Richard and Sarah are not part of my family. For whatever reason I feel that this mysterious Mary and Richard are mine. Although it could well be an as yet undiscovered Richard. I have restricted my search to Warwickshire so, as with another branch of my tree, I could well find that they have moved in to Birmingham around this time. Like my WINGFIELDS did when they moved in from Sheffield.
I have traced several possible first wives for Thomas and cross referenced deaths. he was b. 1833 so he was 18 in 1851 and was married to Jane LANCASTER in 1855. Assuming a year to get to know each other, that leaves a window of 1851 to 1854, 3 years. In that time there are about 5 possible women he could have married. The names I have are, 16 339, Jane Frances GROSVENOR, Ann Crawford PRICE, Catherine RODDY, or Jane WOOD. Trouble is these all seem to live on to a fair age. So I have missed some.
Well I think thats an epic post and for that I am sorry. But the more you know the less rummaging needed. If there is anything I can add let me know.
Many Thanks, a COX weary researcher, and I have SMITHS in another close branch to do yet - cant wait for that
