Genealogy Chat

Hi,
I wonder if anyone could help. I'm confused (again!).
My G-G-G-Grandmother was called Eleanor (Ellenor, Ellen) Mitchell.
I had always thought that her parents were Thomas Mitchell c1800 and Celia Hyman c1801. This was because Eleanor was living with them at the time of the 1841 census, in Chatham in Kent. However she wasn't living with them at the time of the 1851 census. I always thought that maybe she was working as a servant or something like that and so that is why she wasn't there. I had also kind of ignored the fact that in 1851 there was a different Ellen Mitchell living with the family who was born in 1845.
But now I'm curious. Why would they have had two daughters and named them both Ellenor when they were so close in age?
I need to find out exactly when Eleanor Mitchell c1836 was born so that I can find out if Thomas and Celia were her parents. Any ideas how I could go about doing this?

Many Thanks
Debbie

Thank you Suzanne.
I have done that. :-)
I have found an Eleanor Mitchell c1836 in the 1861 census living with Martha Mitchell. She is recorded as Marthas daughter.
And then in 1871 she is living with her husband William Davis in the home of Thomas Mitchell c1800 who I originally thought was her father.
You can see why I am a bit confused

Debbie

Did Thomas Mitchell have any siblings?

It is possible that the 1851 Eleanor was a niece.
[I had this in my tree]

Who were the witnesses on the marriage cert. Was her father a ropemaker?

They could have had a daughter called Eleanor and Ellen

However on the 1851 census they have a son Ebenezer 1836.
Checking the `1841 census image the name is hard to read.Perhaps Eleanor is Ebenezer

Have you found Eleanor on later census


from the IGI there is Ebenezer Mitchell born 26/12/1835 bap.28/8/1836 parents Thomas and Celia batch no 7132020

This entry is submitted

Thanks Margaret

Yes I have Ebenezor recorded on my tree. I've been able to follow his "fortunes"
Drrrr now I feel really silly. Yes I think you are right. It possibly does say Ebenezor and not Eleanor. Its just that the age is marked in the female column which is why I and who ever transcribed it got it wrong.
So that is where I went wrong. I saw that listing as Eleanor and then because there was an Ellen listed in later census's with in this family I wrongly assumed it was her.

This throws me right out. it would seem that Celia Hyman and Thomas Mitchell are not my gggg-grandparents after all. Oh well off I go on another adventure!!!!

Thanks all

Debbie

Can you give the details for the 1871 census when Eleanor is married to William Davis

Yes ok

It has been badly transcribed and took some detective work. It is
Civil parish St Margaret
Rochester Medway Kent.

If you look for William Davis, Lodger born approx 1840 in Chartham (should be Chatham)

He is listed as living with
Susan Clutchell 29 (should say Mitchell)
Thomas Clutchall 71 retired ropemaker
Ellen Davis 36 and their children at Princes Street Rochester.

I have found a listing for Eleanor Mitchell baptised 9/3/1836 to an Elizabeth Mitchell. No Father listed. Its in the right parish, so could be her.

Debbie

Debbie

From the IGI.
Eleanor Mitchell ch.9th Mar 1836 St Nicholas Rochester Kent. Mother Elizabeth Mitchell

1851 census.
John Mittchell 1796 Chatham Kent occ baker
Martha wife 1797 Boxley Kent
Henry son 1835 Rochester occ mariner
John son 1839 Rochester
Benj son 1844 Rochester
HELLER MITTCHELL granddaughter 1836 Rochester

living Henry St Rochester

Check the 1861 census image. You will find that Eleanor is Marthas granddaughter.

Just looked at the 1871 cenus and I think you are correct that Thomas Mitchell might be Eleanors father..Eleanor named her daughter Cecilia which is her mother and sisters name.
Also Thomas Mitchell is a retired rope maker the same as his occupation in 1841,1851

OR another possibility isThomas Mitchell is her uncle.

Are you waiting for Eleanor Mitchells marriage cert to arrive?

You are very good Margaret. It definately does say Grandaughter on the census. But I didn't check properly as she was transcribed as her daughter. And I didn't think to put two T's into Mitchell so hadnt checked 1851 census. well done.

I'm still confused though. I really need to think this through. So here is a bit of thinking "out loud"
If Eleanor is Thomas and Celias daughter born in 1836 then that would mean that either she or Ebenezor arent on the 1841 census, as only one is listed.
Eleanor isn't listed with Thomas and Celia in the 1851 census but Ebenezor is. As is Ellen born 1845.
Eleanor is listed in the 1851 census living with Martha as her Grandaughter but Martha was born about the same time as Thomas and Celia around 1796-1800.
In 1861Ellenor still living with Martha as grandaughter.
1865 Ellenor married William Davis and in 1871 they are living with Thomas Mitchell widower of Celia and his daughter Susan.
I will work this out.

Many thanks
Debbie

Check the 1871 census image for Ellen Davis. I think she is only 26 not 36. Making her born 1845 which is correct for the earlier census

1881 census
Eleanor Davis IS born 1845

They also have a Frederick Mitchell cousin living with them

yes still waiting for marriage certificate.

I'm not sure what it will turn up. May be it will turn out that her mother is Elizabeth and she had no named father?

yes I wondered if Thomas was her uncle. I guess I'll just have to wait for the certificate

Debbie

Well Margaret,

It seems I have lead you on a wild goose chase. Thank you for your help.

It just goes to show how easily one can be lead in the wrong direction. Because Ebenezor had been incorrectly listed as a female called Eleanor born c1836 and because Eleanor was listed in 1871 as being 36 and not 26 making her born in c1835 I had an extra Eleanor.

I'm sorry to have wasted your time Margaret and Many many thanks for your help in clearing it up for me.

Debbie

Thats okay.
I really like to check images. As you can see from what was found mistakes are made