Ann LANGFORD

[Dolly]

My great great grandmother was christened Ann Langford in Newent on 6th May 1821. Her parents were Samuel LANGFORD & Sarah PACKER.

Ann married William Clark on 26th May 1844 at St Mary de Lode Church in Gloucester. On the certificate she stated that Samuel was a labourer.

The next record that I have of her is when she gave birth to twins, Martha Sophia and Mary Ann GRIFFITHS, father George Griffiths, a porter. The date 28th October 1848 place - Barton St Mary, Gloucester. Ann gave her former name as "BAYLEY". In 1851 Ann was in Goosey Lane, a laundress, with the twins and stated that she was a "widow".

Note, I have never found the death of William CLARK or Ann's marriage to a "BAYLEY" or George GRIFFITHS. George Griffiths died 12th October 1850 at Barton St Mary.

On January 23rd 1854 Ann married William Cox, a sailor, at St Mary de Lode Church. I have not found his death, however on 11th July 1858 Ann married my great great grandfather Edmund Arnold, who was 11 years her junior. They were married at St Marks Church Kingsholm, Gloucester. On their marriage certificate Ann stated that her father, Samuel, was a "lockkeeper"
Ann & Edmund had five children that I know of. They stayed married until her death in 1907. &l was a labourer.

For all I know Ann could have been a serial bigamist, or just not married a Bayley or George Griffiths.

Any thoughts anyone?

Dolores

[Rod Neep]

Not everyone married. And if they did, if a wife had no contact with a husband for 7 years, she could legally marry again.
and... erm... when registering births, or having children baptised, it was sometimes convenient to lie about one's marital status.
All part of the fun of playing family history detective, because one day, you will discover the truth, by logic and the paper trail. Everyone leaves a paper trail, and especially the poor.
Rod

[Dolly]

Thanks Rod, I've gathered that> I'm amazed that my grandfather never spoke of this grandmother, she seems a very interesting woman, it was his stories about the other side of his family that set me off on this long trail. Still he probably didn't approve of this grandmother.
He'd have approved even less of my great great grandmother on my father's side, she gave birth to my great grandfather in prison when she was 17yrs old and unmarried. Then again we can't judge by today's standards can we, that girl was probably very desperate.

[Dolly]

I've found Ann & Edmund in the Glos 1861 census, can't believe that I missed it so often, I was pointed in the right direction by someone on another forum