Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past History Information Request Wirral folk using Liverpool churches

There has been a lot of discussion on FB’s Wirral Genealogy group about why so many Wirral folk got married/were baptised in Liverpool during the 18th and early 19th centuries. There have been plenty of examples thrown in but no good reasons as to why, so I thought I’d raise the question on here, the font of all knowledge.

There might have been problems for Catholics and Nonconformists in finding a local church but the majority was C of E and everyone lived in a parish with an old church which would be in relatively easy walking distance (Wallasey, Bidston, West Kirby, Bebington etc.). Travelling to Liverpool by primitive ferry in the 18th/early 19th centuries was extremely difficult, dangerous and unreliable so why did they do it? I have an example in my family tree of a couple who lived in Wallasey Village, a few hundred yards from St. Hilary's, both of "full age" (no parental permission needed) who chose to get married in Liverpool, St. Nicholas in 1792. Very odd!

I’m coming round to the idea that perhaps the simple answer is that in Cheshire if you weren't a regular churchgoer you didn't get to use the facilities and the Liverpool churches weren’t too bothered. Any suggestions welcomed.

Something I noticed myself though most of my family started life in Liverpool, 19th, late 18th century and some finally made their way over here. Some of those who were born in Liverpool and lived here in Birkenhead at the time of their marriage went back over and seemed to have married in the church of their baptism or their partners. Perhaps Liverpool had an easier outlook to marriage in general, mixed religious marriages and maybe a kinder view on naughty girls. Maybe the greater population of Irish in Liverpool helped the Catholic church in particular have a greater understanding of peoples needs. Would a relativity out the way marriage able those who need parental permission to tell fibs? a kind of nearby Gretna Green. Interesting subject.

I would also be interested to find out the answer to this question. My grandfather (Dad's Dad)and his spouse were married in Saint Nicholas church, Liverpool in 1895 even though they lived in the middle of Birkenhead adjacent to the town hall and I've always wondered why.
My brother in law has seen this a few times and has a theory that the people who do this have something to hide.
Maybe they were already living together as a married couple and didn't want to get caught getting married. No-one left to ask now so it's all conjecture. Still be interesting to hear oyher peoples ideas though.

Just a thought, perhaps it was cheaper to get married in Liverpool, maybe some churches had a conveyor belt system in operation or multiple services, no fuss, a kind of religious registry office wedding that was over and done with quickly, something the churches on this side of the water wouldn't offer.

Saint Nicholas church has long been know as the seafarers church and as so, has attracted many seafarers to wed thier sweethearts there. Try checking out a bit of family history, it may be that he was an old seadog.
My brother, wallasey born and bred was married in St Nicholas church after a career at sea. That was around 1998ish.

This obviously dosn't answer why all the other churches where chosen by Wirral folk.

Got a link?, cannot find it on FB

Someone suggested to me that it was difficult to get around on the Wirral back then and it was easier to just jump on a ferry and go to Liverpool.

Roman Catholics found it hard to get employment in Victorian Times so some got married in their local Parish Church in order to get work, as Protestant employers would not employ them. It was a common practise when I was young in the 1950's,that some RC's did not employ Protestants and vice versa.

I am on the Electoral Roll of St Nicholas Church Liverpool, and I do know that there is a strong tradition for people to marry there because their grandparents or parents did so.
If I find anything out to answer your query I will let you know.

I have come across this with a few of my ancestors and wondered about it too. I seem to remember reading that you could get married at St Nicholas's without a licence but I might be wrong. I even have ancestors who have travelled from Shrewsbury to get married there. I have found one case of a pregnant bride which might also explain it. The interesting thing is that the bride and groom always had the same address in Liverpool on the marriage certificate. Maybe they just used any address and no questions were asked.

Perhaps Liverpool Record Office would know. Their phone no is 0151 233 5817. you can send them an online email by completing the form on liverpool.gov.uk

The same address or street address was for the reading of the banns, they could be read in only one parish, that's if the couple were from different parishes. The banns were read and posted to give anyone with an objection to the marriage a chance to say so.

I too have family that married in St Nicks in Liverpool, but I believe they went there to get married in the early 1900's because Mum and Dad didn't approve, so maybe it was very similar to Gretna Green.
Just a thought.

Brian

Quite a few of the ancestors in my family tree were married in Liverpool. Never thought about it really but, thinking aloud, I wonder if it was anything to do with the fact that Liverpool was Lancashire and Wirral was Cheshire?
Just saying.

A lot of my ancestors got married in St Nick's because they were Senior Service, some that got married there were Army. It is a beautiful church though (and that's coming from a Wiccan). I've been lucky enough to have been to a lot of services in there and I always see something I've never noticed before. Definitely worth a visit if you've never been!