Genealogy Chat

MARGARET DELAY had a daughter ELIZABETH. On Elizabeths marriage cert in 1861, she states her name as Elizabeth Delay, spinster, and her father as Thomas Delay. MARGARET, her mother, re-married IN 1857 to a DANIEL DONOVAN and on her marriage cert she is Margaret Delay, spinster, and she names her father as Charles Delay. Daniel Donovan is a witness at the marriage of Elizabeth, his step-daughter. Why the two different Delay names....Thomas and Charles...is this the same family???????? Can anyone suggest a clue that will enable me to sleep soundly without counting 'delays'...sorry, sheep!!!!!

I would say that Margaret was never married to Elizabeth's father.....whoever he was. Margaret's father may well have been Charles Delay.........have you found them on a census? Or any evidence other than her declaration when she married? As for Elizabeth........she may well have been told that her father's name was Thomas, and when asked by the vicar/registrar for her father's name, simply said 'Thomas' and the assumption was made that the surname was the same as hers. Charles would have been Elizabeth's grandfather................. Reg

Hi Reg, My thoughts also.......Not tried looking for either Charles or Thomas yet, waiting to get a little extra energy for that marathon. If our rellies are up there looking down on us I bet a penny to a pinch of salt they are having a good laugh at our efforts. Kathlyn

Hi, There is an entry on the 1851 in Shadwell, Middlesex for a Margaret Delay age 40 and Elizabeth age 10 in the house of George Mountain. The index gives her relationship as sister but on the image it looks more like visitor. Margaret is listed as a widow. Shona

Hi Landy S I have a copy of that census and yes it is visitor and not sister. Margaret is recorded as a widow, but the name of father on the marriage certs is what is causing me a headache. Kathlyn

I think that perhaps the 'widow' was for the sake of propriety..... could be wrong, of course! Reg

I'm puzzled as to why you have a query........... Margaret's father was said to be Charles. Elizabeth's father was said to be Thomas. So.......Charles apparently fathered Margaret, who gave birth to Elizabeth. Therefore, Charles was Elizabeth's grandfather. Who Elizabeth's father actually was is anyone's guess.............his first name may well have been Thomas, but only Margaret will ever know. Reg

Hi Reg, I feel that Margaret was not married to Elizabeths father and yes, she called herself a widow to 'be seen in a better light', also that Margaret gave her maiden surname to Elizabeth, but why would Elizabeth give her fathers christian name as Thomas.......was Thomas the name of her father, and that was all she knew of him??? I have not been able to find any info re. the birth of Elizabeth but I will have to try a bit harder as that may well solve my problem. Kathlyn

Kathlyn In my experience, my illegitimate ancestors just made up a name to suit, for the marriage ceremony. Of course, maybe her father WAS called Thomas - but think you will have a hard time proving it. You may find an affiliation order in the magistrates court records, but it is a bit hit and miss as to whether these survive. OC