If you look at the brides own signature though, her first name (to my eyes, and to those of my Belgian partner) is definitely Aurelie or Aurelia. The vicars version could be interpreted as either Aurelia or Amelia.

Heths

Thanks everone this gives me more to search. Cheers

back to the marriage, it says that bothe John and Amelia's fathers had died so was James a brother?

can James be found on the 1871 census and hence could give us clues to fining John.

yes James is his older brother but married before him and living with his family. James father died in 1856 so no joy there. thanks

Hi Barry,

I wonder if John Garfitt could have been in the Army and thats how he met Amelia?????

I believe I found the marriage and Johns Baptisms in our records over to the left under Parish Registers.

Elaine.

At the marriage John Garfitt was described as a Gentleman, definitely not a soldier.
I think it is significant that in the 1871 census John's mother, who remarried in 1858 to Anthonyy Atkinson, was living in Grimesthorpe. Her last child, Hannah, was born in 1856 within a month of her husband's death
I suspect that John and his bride-to-be arrived in Grimesthorpe from Mauritius just for the marriage.then returned to Mauritius
Presumably John had gone to the British Colony in late 1850s/ early 1860s and created a very successful career. I guess that would be in the sugar industry, which peaked there in the 1860s.
Dave

Thanks Dave, Do you know if there are records of Mauritius available on line?

Hi Barry,

Maybe you could start here.

https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Mauritius_Online_Genealogy_Records

Elaine.

I've tried to find John leaving for Mauritius but had no luck but perhaps I'm searching on the wrong records list. Anyone had any better luck

One more site to be looked into.

https://genealogie.mu/en/

Elaine.

The Suez Canal opened in early 1870. There was an overland route from London to Marseilles from where, every 2 weeks, there were steam packets through the canal to India via MAURITIUS. There are many newspaper articles showing that passengers booking in London to go east of Suez would get their luggage to Marseilles free of charge. This would be the fastest and cheapest way for John Garfitt and his bride.
Dave