marriage/names

[SLJ]

Hello, does anyone know, was it common for the name Jean to be recorded as Joan?
I am looking for a marriage between Jean Miller and Thomas Potts in the Bishop Auckland area around 1941. (Jean was born 1921/22 and was told she was 19 when married) The nearest match I can find (looked in all the usual places) Is a Thomas Potts to Joan Miller 1941 Durham Western. Is Joan Jean?
Thank you

 

[peter]

Hello, does anyone know, was it common for the name Jean to be recorded as Joan?
I am looking for a marriage between Jean Miller and Thomas Potts in the Bishop Auckland area around 1941. (Jean was born 1921/22 and was told she was 19 when married) The nearest match I can find (looked in all the usual places) Is a Thomas Potts to Joan Miller 1941 Durham Western. Is Joan Jean?
Thank you

From your description it seems that you've found a GRO index entry. It's common for the typewritten letters 'e' and 'o' to be confused, as anyone who has used an old typewriter with a fabric ribbon will know. But I don't know how the indexes were compiled at that time - in the 19th century they supposedly used handwritten slips, and it's possible that they later migrated to typewriters for the sorting process.

 

[Bob Spiers]

The nearest match I can find (looked in all the usual places) Is a Thomas Potts to Joan Miller 1941 Durham Western. Is Joan Jean?

The odds of it being anyone other than the Jean you are seeking is too remote to consider when you take into account the same named spouse, same place and same area. Even without bringing into play the Occam's Razor* principle I would think there is little doubt that Joan was a misreading of Jean, for whatever reason.

*the simplest assumption is often the correct one

 

[peter]

I am more cautious than Bob - I don't think you should make any assumptions until you have seen the marriage certificate, particularly since the information you already have seems to be rather imprecise.

 

[SLJ]

I am more cautious than Bob - I don't think you should make any assumptions until you have seen the marriage certificate, particularly since the information you already have seems to be rather imprecise.

Thanks, I have now sent for the marriage certificate.

 

[Susan]

Just for information, as the certificate has been ordered, the bride's name was Jean according to Durham County Council's website

 

[SLJ]

The marriage certificate has arrived, but it still says Joan, and signature is Joan, unless for some peculiar reason they didn't sign it and vicar wrote the names. Is this something that would happen in 1941? The residence, fathers and witness all collate with other information. So any ideas why they all called her Jean? The birth is recorded as Jean. Thnak you in advance.

 

[peter]

The marriage certificate has arrived, but it still says Joan, and signature is Joan, unless for some peculiar reason they didn't sign it and vicar wrote the names. Is this something that would happen in 1941? The residence, fathers and witness all collate with other information. So any ideas why they all called her Jean? The birth is recorded as Jean.

You didn't mention whether you ordered the GRO certificate or the local certificate, but presumably it was the former. If they married in church the GRO entry will have been entirely written out by the vicar - that's how the system worked. As you know from Susan, the local index records the name correctly as Jean, so it would seem that you have the vicar to blame for the error.

I suggest you send a copy of the certificate you purchased to the local register office and ask them to notify the GRO that an error has been made. Even if the GRO are prepared to update their register it won't change the indexes, but it will hopefully prevent incorrect certificates being issued by the GRO in future. Once the GRO have corrected their register they might provide you with an amended certificate if you push hard enough - it will make an interesting case study.

 

[SLJ]

You didn't mention whether you ordered the GRO certificate or the local certificate, but presumably it was the former. If they married in church the GRO entry will have been entirely written out by the vicar - that's how the system worked. As you know from Susan, the local index records the name correctly as Jean, so it would seem that you have the vicar to blame for the error.

I suggest you send a copy of the certificate you purchased to the local register office and ask them to notify the GRO that an error has been made. Even if the GRO are prepared to update their register it won't change the indexes, but it will hopefully prevent incorrect certificates being issued by the GRO in future. Once the GRO have corrected their register they might provide you with an amended certificate if you push hard enough - it will make an interesting case study.

Thank you Peter I have learn't something new. I will do as suggested. I won't order through GRO again for marriage.

 

[peter]

I won't order through GRO again for marriage.

It's probably not a good idea to order certificates from a local register office unless you can be sure that they can (and will) provide a facsimile of the register entry. Not all register offices have the equipment, and not all have the time.

 

[SLJ]

I suggest you send a copy of the certificate you purchased to the local register office and ask them to notify the GRO that an error has been made. Even if the GRO are prepared to update their register it won't change the indexes, but it will hopefully prevent incorrect certificates being issued by the GRO in future. Once the GRO have corrected their register they might provide you with an amended certificate if you push hard enough - it will make an interesting case study.

Peter I just wanted to let you know I have had a successful outcome. I contacted both Durham and GRO. Durham sent to Bishop Auckland and they have been in touch today, their reg says Jean, they have offered to send the right copy in lieu, if I send the one I got to them. Plus it will be an actual copy not a typed version, even better.

 

[peter]

Peter I just wanted to let you know I have had a successful outcome. I contacted both Durham and GRO. Durham sent to Bishop Auckland and they have been in touch today, their reg says Jean, they have offered to send the right copy in lieu, if I send the one I got to them. Plus it will be an actual copy not a typed version, even better.

Ezcellent - thanks!