I have access to most to the registers of the later, smaller parishes in the Sheffield area through microfilm and microfiche at my local Family History Center, but for the parish of Sheffield I only have access to microfilm of the bishop's transcripts, IGI extracts of the bishop's transcripts, and the indexes (and transcripts) on CDROM published by the Sheffield & District FHS. My question is about the marriage records of the parish of Sheffield in the 1780s. The bishop's transcripts for that period only have the names of the bride and groom, whether they are of the parish, and the date (and maybe the celebrant's name also, I don't remember for sure). There is no indication of anything else (such as groom's occupation or abode). I'd like to know from anyone who has used the original marriage registers from about that time-frame (or microfiche of same) as to whether or not there is any more information given. The specific issue I'm working on is to determine whether the marriage of Thomas Wilson/Willson (my 5x great-grandfather), a tailor who dwelt in Ecclesall Bierlow, was to Mary Pinder on 17 Apr 1787 (F/2362/7921), or to Mary Castle on 14 Dec 1781 (E/1758/5853). I'm hoping that more information than what I have exists to help me narrow it down. Thanks. --Erich -- Erich Schraer, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA erich@wubios.wustl.edu

On 04/22/2010 11:16 AM, Erich Schraer wrote: ... > The specific issue I'm working on is to determine whether the marriage > of Thomas Wilson/Willson (my 5x great-grandfather), a tailor who dwelt > in Ecclesall Bierlow, was to Mary Pinder on 17 Apr 1787 (F/2362/7921), > or to Mary Castle on 14 Dec 1781 (E/1758/5853). I'm hoping that more > information than what I have exists to help me narrow it down. ... I want to publically thank Carol Cooper who was at the Sheffield Archives and made digital images of the two marriage records in question, and sent them to me. While these records do not have occupations, fathers or abodes, they do have more information than the bishop's transcripts, including witnesses, celebrants, and signatures. I checked the information about the celebrants. The marriage of Thomas WILSON and Mary CASTLE on 14 Dec 1781 was performed by Edw Goodwin, Assist.t Minister, who the directory of "Sheffield Anglican Clergy" at the "Sheffield Indexers" website shows was the "Curate of Christ Church, Attercliffe 1776-1817". The marriage of Thomas WILLSON (spelling from his signature) and Mary PINDER on 17 Apr 1787 was performed by G. Bayliffe, Assist.t Minister, who the same directory shows as the "Minister of Ecclesall 1769-1804". Since I know that my Thomas WILSON/WILLSON dwelt in Ecclesall Bierlow, I think that might be another point in favour of his marriage being the one to Mary PINDER. --Erich