Peter wrote: "Strangely, the marriage to Phoebe Cooper is not on IGI, but on FreeBMD". Would I be right in thinking that marriages between a widower and his late wife's sister were frowned upon by the church at that time? If so, this second marriage might not have been performed in a church, and therefore would not be on the IGI. Just a thought. Sarah

Sarah, You're probably right, although I'm no expert. And two deaths in quick succession. I wasn't going to mention anything about strange mushrooms?? Peter

On 9 Apr 2008 at 13:16, Sarah Middleton wrote: > Peter wrote: "Strangely, the marriage to Phoebe Cooper is not on IGI, > but on FreeBMD". > > Would I be right in thinking that marriages between a widower and his > late wife's sister were frowned upon by the church at that time? If > so, this second marriage might not have been performed in a church, > and therefore would not be on the IGI. It was not just the church - marriage to deceased wife's sister was illegal in civil law too (till 1908), If it happened, the couple would be well advised to vanish to somewhere where they were not known. Thomas Smith is such a common name that probably Phoebe's Thomas is not the same as her sister's Thomas - might be a cousin, might be totally unrelated.

On 9 Apr 2008 at 13:16, Sarah Middleton wrote: > Peter wrote: "Strangely, the marriage to Phoebe Cooper is not on IGI, > but on FreeBMD". > > Would I be right in thinking that marriages between a widower and his > late wife's sister were frowned upon by the church at that time? If > so, this second marriage might not have been performed in a church, > and therefore would not be on the IGI. It was not just the church - marriage to deceased wife's sister was illegal in civil law too (till 1908), If it happened, the couple would be well advised to vanish to somewhere where they were not known. Thomas Smith is such a common name that probably Phoebe's Thomas is not the same as her sister's Thomas - might be a cousin, might be totally unrelated.