Genealogy Chat

I agree - John is a made up father, to save face. I have seen this countless times on marriage certs. From the evidence so far, the children are all illegitimate. The Workhouse records are your best bet - they may contain the name of the reputed father and other information besides. Go back to the IGI. Enter Charles Parsons, mother Charlotte, birth/baptism 1856, British Isles, England and search. This will give you only one hit - your Charles. On that page, click on Source at the bottom. This will take you to a page which tells you what the record is. Keep on clicking and you will find 'film notes' tab, which will give a description of the workhouse records, what they contain, what they were copied from, and where the original records are held. You really need to see those records I think, to get any further with this. OC

Hi Linda, Re. the freeBMD entry that Ann found - although the transcribed index entry says that the district is illegible, on the image the district is Kings Lynn, so I should think you can discount it as a possibility. Chris

Lindy, I doubt John existed. Looks at all the evidence: There's no marriage, he's not mentioned on birth certs, Charlotte has no maiden name, he's not on any censuses. I think John was listed on the marriage cert to save face. It's a common ploy. Rose

Hi OC, Right, Have been back to IGI, can't find anything, I don't like that website find it really difficult but went to Southwark Borough Council website, nothing on there but have emailed them so will sit tight for a couple of days and hope. Have you any thoughts about this though - Chas. Wm. Parsons has a brother Joseph Parsons and sister Charlotte Parsons, his marriage cert. says John Parsons is his father and yet John is not mentioned on any birth certs. and I can't find a marriage for him. The mother Charlotte is clearly shown as wife on Censuses until 1861 when she is shown as a widow, any thoughts? Linda

Lindy If you think he is yours, then there will probably be a bit more information about him in the Workhouse Admissions register which is referred to on the IGI (click on source to see the details of where they are - London County Council from memory, whereever that is!!!) OC

OC HOORAY!!!!!! I've found it, don't know how I was missing it, must be another of those senior moments!

Ann, Does the entry on Free BMD give any other info. i.e. mothers name? I've been given another birth for 15.03.1856 which is for Chas. Parsons but also gives mothers name Charlotte Parsons so think that one is more likely to be the correct one even though the middle name of William has been omitted. Does that make sense? Linda

Lindy Wonder why you can't find it? It is the only one which pops up with those details on the IGI. Where are you looking? The batch number is PO20041 and these source back to the Parish Registers of Newington St Mary. Charles is included in the portion of the parish regs which covers the workhouse births and deaths. (Interestingly, he does not appear to have been BAPTISED - very odd for a birth in a Workhouse) OC

could this be him Name: Charles William Parsons Year of Registration: 1856 Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep District: (Illegible) Page: (click to see others on page This was on Free BMD index Ann

OC, Can you please tell me where and how you get your info. I've searched for hours and still can't find the birth of Chas. Parsons 16/03/1856 St Mary - Newington Workhouse. Can you give me the website address of IGI (is this the Church of the Latter Day Saints). What is the batch no. p ? Incidentally, what a small world this is - Chas. Parsons (my mothers side) my G. Grandfather was born in Newington W/house, my Grandfather Charles Arnold (my fathers side) died in Newington W/house, and my son appeared in Kathy Come Home as Kathys baby which was also filmed in Newington W/house (by this time called Newington Lodge).

Apart from the above, you may wish to approach the Southwark Local Studies Library to see if they have the Workhouse records for that period. 211 Borough High Street, London Se1 1JE. Also the London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London EC1R OHB. Holdings include: Creed register (1848-72); Admissions and discharges (1851-1930)

The birth may not have been registered with the GRO - the source is the births and deaths register of the Workhouse. Although the batch number begins with a 'p' which suggests it is a church record...probably the Workhouse records were allied to the parish church. OC

If this is the information you were given then it was from the IGI... CHARLES PARSONS Male Event(s): Birth: 16 MAR 1856 Saint Mary Newington Workhouse, Southwark, London, England Christening: Death: Burial: Parents: Mother: CHARLOTTE PARSONS Georgina.

No Keith, he is Charles William Parsons.

Could this be him? Name: Charles Kernick Parsons Year of Registration: 1856 Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar District: Newington County: Surrey Volume: 1d Page: 222

Selena very kindly gave me the following info.: Charles Parsons birth 16.03.1856 St Mary Newington Workhouse but unfortunately didn't say where the info came from of enough for me to order the cert. I have search everywhere I can think of and have not been able to find anything. Is there another pair of eyes who could find the extra bits for me. Thanks. Linda