Genealogy Chat

Thanks everyone for all your help.
Special thanks to those that found the Harris birth last time and I did not make the connection! Dooohhh!

Will let you know if I ever find out.

If her Mum wasn't married to Harris and was still a Cooke, they probably called her Cooke to keep up appearances. Perhaps Ada didn't realise her father was Harris until she was an adult.

I'd go for the cert. I'd just have to know, one way or the other.

Ozi

Thanks Rose. I had forgotten I had posted before.

Ada used the name Cooke all the way through life and there is strong evidence that she is the daughter of Anna Maria but why can't I find her birth?
If it proves to be that she was registered as Harris, one would assume that the father was involved at first (hence registering as Harris) and then left the picture and she was brought up as Cooke?

It's worth mentioning this previous thread to save duplication:

http://www.genesreunited.com/boards.asp?wci=thread&tk=1220891

Rose

I found Edwin on the 1891 census living with his grandmother, Ada's mother. He is, in 1901 , as you say in the workhouse, as is Ada.

She married Charles Parnell in 1891, a year after Edwin is born, and Charles died later that year.

Where is her birth registration?

Her mother was born out of wedlock and was christened Anna Maria Chatfield but with her father (Richard Bentlett) named on both her birth and marriage certificate. Was Anna advised to do the same? i.e. put the real father's name on the birth certificate but bring Ada up in the name of Cooke?

Did Ada's son Edwin John Cooke 1890 have a brother George Parnell 1892.
1901 they were both inmates at warner Farm Schools.

1911 they were together
Edwin John Parnell 1890 Lewes
George Parnell 1892 lewes
Boarders at 18,James street Southsea Portsmouth.
I cant find Ada after 1901 when she is in the Workhouse.

Maryb

Thats strange,on the same page as Ada Cornelia harris 1867 there is a male and female CHATFIELD that being the maiden name of your Ada's mum.

These maybe those
Death A/M/J 1867 tonbridge 2a 290 Male and Female Chatfield age 0

Maryb

Well even though the hubby had died any child his widow had was still entilted to be registerd in her mums current name . the dad most probably wasnt recorded on the birth cert. BUT pre 1875 lots of births wrent recorded anyway . Have you found her on any later census

1871
Ada C Harris William E,
Fanny abt 1868 Canterbury, Kent, England Daughter St Gregory, Kent
edit
Maybe not
Ada Epps Harris 1868 Jan-Feb-Mar Kent

Said to be be Ada Cornelia Cooke on the 1871 census. Born in Tonbridge, Kent the daughter of Anna Maria Cooke (nee Chatfield) and George Cooke. The problem is that George died in 1864. I have his death certificate and his wife was present.
So we know that Ada Cornelia, though called Cooke, is not his daughter.
I cannot find a birth registration for her.

Today I tried putting just her christian names into BMD and up came Ada Cornelia Harris born Tunbridge, Kent Jun qtr 1867.
What do you think? Is this strong enough evidence for a £9.25 birth certificate check?

She has an interesting life - but more of that later!