Genealogy Chat

Thanks for the tip Anne, I think I shall start looking at the Grove family a little more. Regards, Matt

I think the census entries for the relationship column are a bit hit and miss, but if they didn't want to describe him as their son but he was permanently with the family I have seen very young children described as lodgers. I'm afraid its all a bit vague though! If it was my family I would want to tease out the whole extended family to see if they were cousins, second cousins, or any other relations. I do not know the mechanisms in those days for any 'adoption' of a child who was unknown to the couple, but other people might. Good luck with it! Anne

Hello Anne, Thank you for the reply. I never thought of the visitor entry as anything other than confirms he wasnt their son. I know Mary Grove's maiden name is Madison because her father is living with them on the 81 census. Thinking more of the location, i suppose Masbrough wasnt too far from Wentworth (Thorpe Hesley) but it wasnt particularly close. Regards Matt

I think it would be useful to find out Mary Grove's maiden name. Is it possible Clara was her sister or other relative? There were no formal adoptions at this time so if you are unlucky they might just have been friends or people who got the child from an orphanage. However the 'visitor' census entry suggests he was some sort of friend or family member. You say they didn't live near each other, but I have family members from all these places and they are all the same extended family. Anne

Hi all. I have just discovered that my gt gt grandfather wasnt who I thought he was. He died as Herbert Parkin Grove in Rotherham in 1919. He married as this name to Lucy Ellis and they are living with her family in Masbrough in 1901. I have got him on the 1891 census as Herbert P Grove with 'parents' Joseph and Mary. He is with them aged 4 on the 1881 census but just as Herbert Parkin and listed as a visitor rather than son. Herbert named Joseph as his father on his marriage cert. Well, I trawled for a birth that fitted for weeks and the only one i could come up with was a Herbert Parkin born in Rotherham who was born in 1876 which would be right and Rotherham covers Wentworth which he says he was born in. I got the cert and its arrived this morning. Its got Herbert Parkin born Thorpe Hesley, Wentworth to Clara Parkin of this address. Thats it! So looks like an illegitimate child. Is there any reason why this child would end up with the Grove family? They didnt live near each other. I have found the most likley Clara Parkin on 1861-81 census as born 1880c in Wentworth. She is in service in 81, 4 years after giving birth. I would appreciate any comments and advice on where to go from here. Regards, Matt

See below in a mo. xx