How to merge away non-existent husband?

Question

Elizabeth Hovel (Hovel was her maiden name) shows a marriage to an "Unknown Hovell" and there is no evidence at all that he ever existed.  So should Unknown Hovell be merged into Elizabeth Hovel?  Or is there some other way to merge him away?

Answer 1

Hi, Kenneth --

So, what I understand from what you said, and after a cursory glance at her profile, Elizabeth was married twice, and the third husband listed didn't exist??

If that's the case, that profile can be merged into one of her existing husbands with an explanation that says something about how the name on the profile was entered incorrectly.

Comments

The basis of the third husband may be that her will was written as Elizabeth Hovel (this is a transcription-you'd need to see the original to be completely sure )

Will of Elizabeth Hovell, Archdeaconry of Colchester:

Original will, vol. 2, folio 273:

Elizabeth Hovell of St. Giles, Colchester, widow, 24 Oct 1587.

• To John Brownson my son dwelling in Earls Colne a pair of sheets and a blanket.
• To my son Lancelot Dirrick in Suffolk my best coverlet.
• To Priscilla Brownson my daughter all my apparel both linen and woolen, a post bedstead where I lie in the parlour, a feather bed, my table in the parlour with 4 joined stools, a chester by the bedside and all within it, and the joined bench belonging to the table.
• To my daughter Cocke's children [not named] a trundle bedstead, a flockbed in the chamber, to be delivered to the overseers of the children in All Saints' parish [Colchester] to their use.
• To Henry Cockes my son-in-law a table and a form in the chanber and my hollow-lid chest, also to his daughter Elizabeth a pewter salt.
• To Phyllis Brownson my daughter-in-law a great brass skillet and a sheet.
• To John Brownson my son all my brewing vessels.
• To mother Rushton a holland quarter. The rest of my goods to Priscilla, whom I ordain ex'rix.
• Witness: William Cock, Thomas Fyrfan.
• Proved 9 Feb 1587/8.