Genealogy Chat

I’ve got stuck at brick wall and I’m hoping someone may be able to knock me in the right direction. My Grandparents have always believed that they were 2nd cousins (ekk!) and swear that their Dads were cousins, but I cannot find proof of this and wonder if anybody can give me any ideas? Bear with me on this one.

My Grandma's Dad was called Thomas Phillips. His father was also Thomas Phillips. His mother was called Lettuce Phillips b.1870 in Mile End (Maiden name Smith) Her Parents were called Thomas and Margaret Smith.

My Grandad's Dad was called Thomas George Smith born 23 November 1893. He was married to Elizabeth Smith (maiden name Neville) in 1918. His death certificate said that he was born in Bromley, but I cannot find any birth records of him. From their Wedding certificate I have been able to gather that Thomas’ Father was also called Thomas Smith, but even with this info, I cannot find them on a census? I’ve found one in Lewisham, which is near Bromley, but cannot be sure that it is him, as don’t know his mother’s name, who I am told died when he was young.

I really thought that Thomas George Smith jnr was nephew to Lettuce as he stayed with her for a while after his mother died, but it doesn’t look like Lettuce had a brother called Thomas who would have been Thomas Smith Jnr’s Dad.

Sorry about my rambling on, it’s really bugging me that I cannot find the Thomas George Smith side of the family – Any help would be much appreciated!

A possible birth - maybe registered in following quarter:

Births Mar 1894 (>99%)
Smith Thomas George Lewisham 1d 1227

Bromley gets mentioned in registration district info. so must be nearby!


Jan

Meant to say - my grandparents were 1st cousins, much to my surprise - could explain a lot!
Jan

Thomas Smith Snr is listed as being a Bootmaker on Thomas Jnr's marriage certificate

2 Thomas Smith bootmakers 1911, living with a Thomas Smith:

SMITH THOMAS M 1866 45 St Olave (Bermondsey) London
SMITH THOMAS M 1869 42 Colchester Essex

1911?

Registration District:
Bromley

Address:
33 Recreation Road Bromley

SMITH, John Thomas Head Married M 40 1871 Boot Maker Lambeth Surrey VIEW
SMITH, Alice Edith Wife Married
19 years F 41 1870 Dartford Kent VIEW
SMITH, Thomas George Son Single M 17 1894 Printer Sydenham Kent VIEW
SMITH, Albert Victor Son M 15 1896 School Sydenham Kent VIEW
SMITH, Charles James Son M 13 1898 School Sydenham Kent VIEW
SMITH, William Son M 9 1902 Sydenham Kent

You say that the death certificate of Thomas George Bromley said he was born Bromley. A death certificate doesn't normally state where a person was born. Can you please check that and let us know about it?

Margaret

Madmeg, not sure about earlier certs, but I have a death cert from 1970 which states birthplace.
Jan

Hi Janet

I can't thank you enough!!! You've found him in the 1911 census (haven't got access to that one!), - address matches wedding certificate! the reason it was throwing me of the scent, was that on Thomas Smith Jnr's wedding certificate his Dad is listed as Thomas Smith, but I think it may be possible that he is John Thomas Smith. Better still - John Thomas Smith appears on 1891 census and is Lettuce's brother and there is the two families' link!!!!!!!

Thank you ever so much!

Fab! The dreaded 2nd name strikes again. This has caught me out more times than I can say, so not surprising really!
By the way, 1911 can be searched using address and an initial so worth bearing in mind in the future. You could actually have found him on free search this way, never thought to suggest it though - doh.
Jan

When "Bromley" comes up as a location you need to be careful to ascertain whether in refers to Bromley, Kent or Bromley by Bow, Middlesex.

It is not always clear and you can be seaching on the wrong side of the Thames.

Margaret - A British d.cert wouldn't say his pob, but some Oz ones do.

My great-uncle's death cert from 1970 (England) has place of birth.
Jan