Margaret McCann Bellew's Envelope Post 1

Having found a new cousin as a direct result of info posted here and at a message board, I think it's necessary to share items that belonged to my Great Grandmother Margaret McCann Bellew. I have an envelope that was given to me by my Grandmother which contained many items of this family's past. Documents, memorial cards, news clippings and a prayer book that contains items of interest as well.

Margaret was born Feb 6, 1896 in Preston, Lancashire, England. She was the daughter of Hugh McCann and Alice Ann Smith. Margaret married John Bellew, the son of Patrick Bellew and Elizabeth Hall at the St. Ignatius Church in Preston on July 1, 1915. For the first item from Grandma's Envelope I want to share this church issued marriage certificate. You'll note it's in latin.


The witnesses listed are Lawrence Hall (John's Grandfather on his mother's side) and Alice Ann McCann - Margaret's sister - who apparently liked to attend weddings but never had one of her own.

In the envelope we found a second church issued marriage certificate for this couple, this time in English and printed later (August 19, 1923). Possibly they needed an updated certificate in preparation of their move to the US. John traveled a few years before Margaret, his US address is scribbled in the lower right corner of this document.