Genealogy Chat

Pauline, Friend's grandfather & his children never did manage to find his birth cert when he needed it for pension purposes. He was born in 1890 and appeared in 1891 census with both parents - by 1901 his mother was dead and he and his father were in lodgings.We could find no marriage for the parents, so had no idea of mmn. Recently we found his younger sister in 1901, visiting with a spinster sister of their father - the sister, luckily for us, was recorded with a different surname. We looked for Grandad under the surname given for sister and found an entry, with the correct 2 forenames and an additional initial (beginning of the surname he was known as). Sent for cert, no father given, but it gave mother's surname and also her maiden name. Have now got her marriage & birth certs, death reg and also marriage of her parents. So, don't give up, just keep on digging away and find out all you can about the extended family. Often just one tiny piece of info gives the clue and the mystery unravels. Good luck! Jay

Birth registration wasn't compulsory until 1875.......... Reg

I have a great grandmother whose birth I can't find - Elizabeth Hall b. 1857 Rotherhithe (at least that was what was stated on a census). I have considered all the Elizabeth Halls born around that time and also in other areas of London and have bought several birth certificates that are wrong. Maybe she was illegitimate too (I hadn't thought of that) but as I don't know her mother's name am I really stuck? Any suggestions? Thanks, Pauline

Glad that I'm not the only one Linda!

Hi Maggy Same thing happened to me. Last night decided to go back over some files. 3x gg grandfathers brothers and sisters. Ann Lowe married to Frederick Knowles. Eldest child Edward married Priscilla ?. On every census until 1901 as Edward Knowles. Couldn't find him in 1901. No marriages, no births of children. Looked up Priscilla and no surname and there they are as Lowe. Looked again and Edward was born 2 years before Ann married Frederick Knowles. Found all my births and marriages under Lowe Just shows you have to concentrate on what you are doing!! Lin

I have been searching for a birth of one of my rellies in 1857 for ages. She had her mothers name as her middle name when she got married, and it suddenly occurred to me, was she born before they got married (in 1857). Guess what, she was registered in her mothers name! Another illegitimate one. Let that be a lesson for you all, if you can't find a birth you are looking for, try the mothers maiden name. Obvious really isn't it (not to me!!)