Genealogy Chat

I have a birth certificate of an ancestor James Golding, son of John Goulding, born July 1872 in Liverpool and it gives the mothers name as Isabella Golding, later Ballard, formerly Bain. Has anybody come across this before, why would the cert give a 'later' name? My suspicion is that Isabella was never married to John and thus never a 'Golding'. That she was probably Isabella Ballard formerly Bain. I can't find a record of the wedding anyway. This is backed up by the fact that I can find what I'm fairly sure is John Golding's 1871 census return in Manchester with a different wife. The birthplace, occupation and 2 older children all tally. Would the registrar automatically use the father's surname for the mother, irrespective of the marital status?

Michael It would normally mean she had been married before. Late Ballard (first married name) Formerly Bain (maiden name) Angela

I would go for bain as maiden name. You sure it says later - and not 'late'? There was no need to provide proof of a marriage - she could give the name of her common law husband. Mine often did. Check quite a few years forward to see if they made it legal later than you had assumed.

Heather, it may well be 'late' with a bit of a 'flourish' on the last 'e'. I'm struggling to find a marriage though and am fairly sure I've found him with a different wife the year before. If they did marry I presume the marriage cert would show as the original maiden name of Bain?

In theory, she should marry with her former married name - Ballard, assuming she is a widow! One of mine was a thicko and gave her married name and then status as spinster - luckily the cert gave her dads name which tied her in as the right person. Ive found people marrying 17 years after the first child was registered (and mum giving her name as dads). So they may or may not have made it legal. Do you find them in a census as man and wife?

Found it now, Heather. It was there under the former married name of Ballard as you suggested! Thanks for your help.

Pleased for you :}