Genealogy Chat

Hi
I can't find a birth for Maud Harriett Hiscock East London circa 1876. It is possible that she was adopted but I can't find a birth for her other possible surname of Cooper. Her death is registered as Mrs Harriett M Donaldson so she has changed her name quite a lot but I think she only married once.
Does anyone know if there is any information available regarding adoption?? or know where I could possibly look next?
Thanks

Formal adoption didn't come into being until 1927 so before this date, any adoptions that took place were privately arranged with no records kept.

Also fines for non-registration of births were not enforced until 1875 so it is possibly that she was born 1875 or before and not registered.

What was her name when she married Mr Donaldson? Where have you had possibly surnames of Hiscock and Cooper from?

Sam x

Hi Sam, thanks for your message
On her marriage certificate to Frederick Albert Donaldson her name is Maud Harriett Hiscock date 23 April 1893 St Benets Bethnal Green. It looks like she is aged 15 but I suppose it could be 16 or 18 so this leaves three possible birth years 1878/1877 or 1875. She is noted as a spinster. Her fathers name is John Hiscock - Gunmaker. I have been unsuccessful finding her birth since researching almost 6 years now, although I have lots of Hiscock family history. Just recently I tried to order one of her son's birth certificate - Sydney Donaldson but it came back unsuccessful because it was noted that her surname was not Hiscock. Also just recently I had a message from a church in Canada where my grandfather remarried and it has her name as Maude Cooper. Confused!!!! I have found a Maud Hiscock on the 1881 census aged 15 servant but no other census till she is married as Donaldson on the 1901 census.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Angela

1891 census she is 15.

So, her mother married John Hiscock when Maud was a baby/a child and he brought her up? Possibly?

That way she wouldn't know her real surname unless her mother told her.

We need to find her - or John Hiscock - in 1881.

There is a site called the Internet Gun Club - which lists gunmakers - they might know of John.

Jill

Just spotted the Cooper name.

Have you tried looking for a marriage of John Hiscock to a ____ Cooper?

Is she under any variation of the surname,,,there were mistakes made within the register offce registry and GRO transcrips from them,,,,,or registered as Harriett Maud,?

You could re-order her son's birth certificate (if you're sure that's her son), but this time, don't give the parents' names.

That'll give her maiden name - or at least, what she thought her maiden name was.

Could be a possibility or a red herring?

Name: Harriet Maud S Cooper
Year of Registration: 1876
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Islington
County: Greater London, London, Middlesex
Volume: 1b
Page: 383 (click

Best Wishes

Jane

a little late,,

Maude Henrettia Hiscox,Kensington,
Jan/march 1880,#
1a Vol-Page 15,

This can also qualify for late 1879 birth,

Hi!
You're all going to quick for me!! but thanks very much for your replies!

John Hiscock married Eliza Boylin 14/10/1871 St James the Great Bethnal Green, and she is found with him on the 1881 census with one daughter Emily H C Hiscock aged 6 born Mile End. I have thought maybe that this daughter is actually Maud?? Maybe I should order her birth cert before really searching for Maude Cooper. It's ever so confusing :-(

Her mother Eliza Hiscock is a witness at her marriage in 1893. However a year later when they had their first son Sydney Donaldson, her maiden name is not Hiscock. I need to order the certificate to see if it is Cooper.

Ahhh!

To make things worse I have just found an entry on the 1881 census for a Maude Cooper aged 7 at a village home for orphan neglect and destitute in Barking Romford Essex. This is where her grand- children now live and she finally died near there so am not sure if there is a connection with that area and that this is her??? I don't think I will find out though and that is sad.

I can't find a birth entry for the other daughter found on the 1881 census now! Emily H C Hiscock circa 1875.... :-(