Elusive George Matthews Marriages

[Richard Miller]

Hi B G Forum Members

I am having difficulty in finding the dates of the marriages of my wife's great great grandfather George Matthews to his first wife (unknown) and to his second wife Nancy Forster.

So far I have got the birth of his sons Ralph Matthews (my wife's great grandfather) in 1867 and his brother George Stephen Matthews in 1875 which confirm that their parents were George Matthews and Nancy Matthews formerly Forster.

From the Census data for 1871 Census George and Nancy were living at Tottenham Square, Coundon. (note different spelling of the surname)

George Matheus 46 born abt. 1824 in Silverton, Hants. Coal Miner
Nancy Matheus 37 born abt. 1834 in Middleton in Teesdale, Co. Durham
James Matheus 15 born in Shildon Coal Miner
Lavina Matheus 14 born in Hamsterley
Beatrice Matheus 12 born in Shildon
and Nancy's children
Jack Matheus 9 aka John born in Shildon
Harry Matheus 7 born in Shildon
Sarah Matheus 5 born in Shildon
Ralph Matheus 3 born in Coundon
Maggy Foster 14 stepdaughter born Middlesborough, Yorkshire, England

I can not locate the birth of what appears to be Nancy's daughter Maggy, or a previous marriage to a Mr. Foster.

From the In 1881 census they were living at Thomas St., Auckland Park
Geo. Matthews 58 born Soberton, Hampshire, England Coal Miner
Nancey Matthews 46 born Middleton in Teesdale
Jos. Matthews 26 Shildon, Durham, England Coal Miner
John Matthews 19 Middridge, Durham, England
Harry Matthews 17 Shildon, Durham, England
Sarah Matthews 15 Shildon, Durham, England
Ralph Matthews 13 Coundon, Durham, England
George Matthews 5 Coundon, Durham, England
Mary Marler 74 a boarder from the Grampian Hills

I have located a baptism for Nancy Forster in Middleton in Teesdale in 1833 which seems to be about right, but I can not find Nancy Forster in the 1841 Census although I have found a Nancy Forster unmarried in the 1851 Census as a servant in Egglestone, Co. Durham and again unmarried in the 1861 Census as a Lodger in Midridge, Co. Durham (note without a husband Mr. Foster or a daughter Maggy).

I am also unable to locate George Matthews in the 1851 Census.

In the 1861 Census George is a widower living at Smithsons Rows, Shildon
George Matthews 36 born Hampshire
Lucy Matthews 8 born Padiham, Burnley, Lancashire
James Matthews 6 born in Shildon
Lavinia Matthews 4 born in Shildon
Beatrice Matthews 2 born in Evenwood
Thomas Baine 25 Boarder and Coal Miner
Ann Moore 16 Servant

Any help to clarify matters would be gratefully appreciated.

Regards
Richard

[Astoria]

Could this be the one, might he have had more than one name, from Free BMD

Sept 1861 Weardale 10a 263
Nancy FORSTER - Thomas NATTRESS

The image looks like Nattress, I must admit.

[Raffaele]

Possibilities

Marriages Dec 1851
Binks James Auckland 24 6
Matthews George Auckland 24 6
Oates Margaret Auckland 24 6
Wood Hannah Auckland 24 6

Deaths Sep 1859
MATTHEWS Hannah Auckland 10a 66
Deaths Jun 1860
MATTHEWS Hannah Auckland 10a 77

You have to consider whether Maggy was the illegitmate child of Nancy and whether they ever decided to get married.

[Sandyhall]

Hi
You could try these ask for a check that the fathers name is George, they would then give mothers maiden name you could then look for the 1st marriage.

Births Sep 1855
James Matthews, Auckland, 10a 120

Births Sep 1858
Beatrice Matthews, Auckland, 10a 123

Shilden is in Auckland Reg. district

Sandy