Genealogy Chat

GF noted on MC 1919 John Henry Mansfield (Aged 23 yrs) born c1896/7 London Marylebone.
GF noted on my mothers BC is James Henry Mansfield
GF noted on GM DC is William Henry Mansfield
His father was Henry Mansfield French Polisher from London
Only census I can find show him as Henry Mansfield with father Henry Mansfield also French polisher, mother Elizabeth from Scotland
If I purchase BC & DC certs relating to him, how do I know for certain that he is one and the same person and why all the aliases?
He was married to Mary Elizabeth Edge. Is there anything else I can do to clarify the connection? Your assistance is very much appreciated.

So - just to clarify - I take it you know the marriage is correct? Not sure about birthplace being on it, seems a bit unusual!
jan

Hi Janet, you have helped me before. Through you I have managed to connect to long lost cousin in England, she wrote that GF had so many names that no one knew what to call him and GM said to everyone just to call him Jack.
MC 1919 8B/46 John Henry Mansfield & Mary Elizabeth Edge Liverpool Sep Qtr
I have made the assumption from info received from previous posts and because it was the only Edge/Mansfield marriage in Liverpool found in the records. Cannot find any one else by the other names that connect to the rest of the family (children). The info on the DC was given by his son Richard, one would think the he would know??? Name on DC is William Henry. My Dad knew him as Henry William. The MC shows they lived at 37 Bridgewater St Liverpool which is just around the corner from 46 Simpson st where they lived when my mother was born. The MC is witnessed by BJ McKevitt and on census for Marys father there is a McKevitt next door.
On census for Henry Mansfield in London I found a french polisher.. this is noted on the MC and he is noted as Henry. It is so very confusing and I don't want to go down another unconnected path if I can help it. I definitely know that Marys father as noted on MC is Richard W Edge Paint Grinder so all the known facts fit along with their children Richard L, Elsie M, Helen, Ada, Alex & Harry. Do I have proof positive he is one and the same ...no.
Must have been some family dispute for him to leave family and go Liverpool. Apparently the family in London were known to be well off financially. JohnHenry, James Henry, William Henry & Henry William also had a sister Violet. So everything I am drawing together fits the scenario, I jsut want to find out if there is any way I can be more sure? Regards Lesley

Might have been nice to have your mother's birth cert, but as you say how many Mansfield/Edge marriages can there be? And I assume you know your grandmother's name?
Jan

Hi Jan again, have located only one BC for a Henry.... Henry William born 1896 in Marylebone London. Also fits with the known and assumed info. Definite about where he was born, as family tales confirm.
So the common denominator is my mother.
So we have four names, John Henry on MC
James Henry on mums BC
William Henry on His DC
Henry William on BC
Sister Violet
Mother Elizabeth came from Scotland - this from long lost cousin.
Nicknamed Jack.

Have mums BC which definitely shows;
Ada Adelia Marcella Mansfield - father James Henry Mansfield Mother Mary Elizabeth Mansfield nee Edge 46 Simpson St Liverpool 8B/220 born 5/2/1929

GM was always referred to as Liz but confirmed by cousin that it was Mary Elizabeth Edge

GF DC shows his Death 8/10/1973 which fits with my mother going to England that year.
DC shows him married to Mary Elizabeth Mansfield who was born 10/6/1899 in Toxteth Park Liverpool _ seems they didnt move around much.
Mary Elizabeth is shownn on his DC as widow of William Henry Mansfield of Rainford, I can remember mum saying GM lived in Rainford after GF died.
DC informant Richard Leslie - my uncle.
10F 617 1973 Dec qtr.

I just wonder if he used whatever name he felt like! Maybe he was baptised with several. Thank goodness you have that occupation to sort things out!
Jan

The same Henry 1871 - french polisher. Interesting his father was William:

1871 England Census

Name: Henry Mansfield
Age: 14
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1857
Relation: Son
Father's Name: William Mansfield
Mother's Name: Ellen Mansfield
Gender: Male
Where born: St Marylebone, Middlesex, England
Civil parish: St Marylebone
Ecclesiastical parish: St Luke
County/Island: London
Country: England
Registration district: Marylebone
Sub-registration district: St Mary

William Mansfield 42
Ellen Mansfield 42
Henry Mansfield 14
Jane Mansfield 10
Edward Mansfield 9

I suppose that the legal requirements of the day meant that you didnt have to have BC to get married? Yes it is the French Polisher detail that I have used to find ancestors.... how many french polishers of London married Elizabeths from Scotland and had child, Henry...John, James, William??? So that is what i have based my research around. Also the sister Violet... I am intrigued as to why he used the different ones for each legal document except for the DC of course he could do that one... why the necessity for using aliases... was it just a whim.

So using the "French Polisher" is the best way to confirm... began to think I was going down wrong path...
It really helps to get another perspective/view on the data we have Thanks so much.

Well, I haven't done anything really, but when you weigh it up you really must have the right family. Goodness knows why he used all these name variants, but people just do! My great grandfather used his middle name all his life, including when he married and on children's birth certs. He even said his name was Horace John and everyone called him Jack - but he was born Harris Horace!! I doubt they even knew his real first name.. My husband's grandmother meandered around a few surnames, and various of her 3 forenames - she never married her 2nd 'husband' but happily used his name when she felt like it!
Jan

Hi Jan, You have found my GGF..thank you thank you thank you. Henry French Polisher at 14 yrs. His son is the John James Henry William of the aliases married to GM. William is indeed a family name.

Thanks so much Lesley

Hi Jan, Your family sounds as fascinating as mine! Thanks again for all you help, takes us another step further on the path to where did I come from.