Pallots Marriage Index 1780 - 1837 abbreviati

[BritChic]

Hi,

A marriage record from 1812 states:

Edwd Meddings (b) (w) - Eleanor Garard (sp) (w)

I know that Edward was a widower, but why list the (b), which I assume means bachelor? What else could the b stand for? And sp I assume is spinster, and w; widow, again why list both. I looked at a couple of other entries in Pallots Marriage Index and they didn't list both abbreviations.

BritChic

[Kerrywood]

A marriage record from 1812 states:
Edwd Meddings (b) (w) - Eleanor Garard (sp) (w)

Just to be clear, it's not a marriage record but simply an index slip which refers to a marriage record.

I believe Pallot's usual abbreviations are b = bachelor, s or sp = spinster, and w = widow(er), so I'm as puzzled as you.

However, as Pallot's is only an index, you'll probably want to see the original entry in the marriage register for any other information it may provide. You should at least get the parishes of residence, and the names of two witnesses, who may or may not be relatives.

Using the exact date from the IGI entry (17 Sep 1812), you can order a printout from the film of the marriage register, at minimal cost -- either from Birmingham Central Library (google for it), or from LDS Photoduplication services. The latter might be both easier and cheaper for you in the US.

https://
wiki.familysearch.org/en/Photoduplication_Services

[exiled brummie]

The following transcript from Edgbaston marriages for 1812 is on the Parish Mouse site.
www.
parishmouse.com

Sep. 17. Edward Meddings b. (wid.) & Ellen X Garard wid. (sp.)

The term sp appears in a number of entries, so could mean Special Licence (perhaps neither were living in Edbaston at the time of their marriage). The X means Ellen couldn't write, but the b remains a complete puzzle.

[Coromandel]

Sep. 17. Edward Meddings b. (wid.) & Ellen X Garard wid. (sp.)

The term sp appears in a number of entries, so could mean Special Licence (perhaps neither were living in Edbaston at the time of their marriage). The X means Ellen couldn't write, but the b remains a complete puzzle.

Perhaps it should be a capital 'B', which means Birmingham according to the list of abbreviations from the Edgbaston register, http://www. parishmouse.com/warwick/2009/4/25/edgbaston-register-abbreviations.html

[BritChic]

Hello All!

The mystery has been solved! We received a copy of the information from Birmingham, UK. They had written "Widow" next to Ellen and crossed it out and written "Spinster". Next to Edward they had written "Bachelor" crossed it out and written "Widow".

Thanks to everyone who helped me out!

Helen in Ohio