Genealogy Chat

Could someone please help me with a problem I have been trying to solve, i'll explain:- Received birth cert of my great grandfather Arthur Pillinger, his father was Fred Pillinger born C.1865/6 Bitton Gloucestershire, mother Alice (formerley Britton). Great I thought i'll send for Fred's birth cert, only could'nt there are 2 Fred Pillingers on the census born in Bitton one in 1866 other 1865, but no registered births, I had no idea which one he was. So I ordered Fred's marriage cert, that arrived , his father was Thomas Pillinger. I looked at the census 1871 and Fred is called Fred Lacey age 5 son. later census says Fred Pillinger. Thomas married his wife Lavinia in Dec Q 1868, a while after young Fred was born, So now I am thinking Fred is maybe not his son but his step son. There are no other marriages for Lavinia (nee Fray) no birth records for Fred Lacey, although I did find a death record of an Alfred Lacey Dec Q 1867 aged 22, from the same area Lavinia grew up, coincidence maybe. I really have no idea how to move forward on this one, and would very much appreciate any input. Thanks Michelle

Michelle, I will have a look and get back to you if I can find anything. It sounds like a tough one! Kate.

Wait a minute, when you say Lavinia was 'nee Fray', do you know that Fray was her maiden name for sure, or was that just her surname when she married Thomas? From rereading your posting, it looks as though you don't have Thomas and Lavinia's marriage certificate yet? Could it be that she was born Lavinia Lacey, had Fred, married Mr. Fray, then Mr. Fray died, then she married Thomas? (or the same but swap Fray and Lacey over!) Kate.

Hi Kate No I don't have their marriage certificate yet, Lavinia Fray was her maiden name I traced her back through the census's. MichelleX

1861 Larrina Fray abt 1847 Keynsham, Somerset, England Servant Bristol St Michael Gloucestershire 1851 Levinia Fray Henry, Harriet abt 1847 Keynsham, Somerset, England Daughter Keynsham Somerset Could be his son and the mother died.

Hi Jim Yes this is Lavinia in 1861 as a servant, in 1851, I have her with her parents Harriet and Henry and siblings. MichelleX

If Fred was Thomas Pillingers step son, would they have to had his name changed legally, or was it the norm just to take the name anyway and not tell anybody? Michelle X

Michelle, sorry, been busy fetching kids from school etc. No, they wouldn't have had to do anything legal to change Fred's surname; he could just use any name he wanted (as long as there was no intention to defraud anybody.) It might be worth getting the marriage cert anyway in case it gives you any clues; perhaps one of the witnesses will be a Lacey for example? Oh, also it will tell you whether Thomas was a widower or bachelor when he married Lavinia. Kate.

One other spanner to throw in the works - perhaps it says 'Lucey' rather than Lacey? I have some Luceys in my family tree and I know how easily the two surnames get confused. Looking at the image, the top of the letter is not closed, so it could be a 'u'. Anyway, my advice is to get Thomas and Lavinia's marriage cert and take it from there. Kate.

Kate Thanks so much for your help, I will order the marriage cert as suggested, you never know it may hold some clue's, here's hoping! Thanks once again :-) Michelle