Genealogy Chat

I am in the process of researching my mothers family and up until now have found my research easy because of uncommon surnames. But my mothers surname is Cox and finding it a lot more difficult to work back from. I found three Cox's born in the same year same quarter and same place as my Grandfather. I was always told his fathers name was Samuel and this is the name shown on Thomas's marriage cert. When I applied for Thomas's Birth Cert I requested a check to ensure the fathers name was shown as Samuel and mothers name may be Ellen as I found Thomas on a census with a mother and father of this name and his year of birth and fathers occupation matched as they are all in the timber, wood line. The GRO sent me a cert but the fathers name is Hatton Samuel mother Ellen, would they have checked the other three certs and found that was the only Thomas who had a father called Samuel. Sorry if this is long winded, but it is the Hatton that has thrown me and I want to be totally sure I am following the right line. Do you think I am? Any suggestions or checks I can make to ensure I am.

One thing you could do is look for a marriage between Ellen (now you have the maiden name from the birth cert) and Samuel or Hatton Samuel. If you find it and his name is just given as Samuel then it might suggest the birth cert is just an anomaly. Kate.

Hatton Samuel G* Cox Year of Registration: 1842 Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep District: Whitechapel County: London, Middlesex Volume: 2 Page: 512 (click to see others on page) Hatton Samuel G Cox Year of Registration: 1870 Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar District: Bethnal Green County: Greater London, London, Middlesex Volume: 1c Page: 550 (click to see others on page) Ellen Thain

This seems to be my catchphrase at the moment - who were the witnesses on Thomas's marriage certificate? Perhaps their names will help. Kate.

Thanks for all your Comments. I was just reading another thread about witness's on Marr/cert so looked and they appear to be Thomas's brother & sister who appear on the census with Samuel so may be I have the right one and he dropped Hatton for obvious reasons. I will also apply for the marriage cert for Ellen and Samuel. Thanks again Gwen

I noticed on the form they return with your cert they crossed the number through and replaced it with another reference is that a good sign. Gwen

I have decided to write to Tower Hamlets Register office to ask them to check all the details for all the three birth certificates for Thomas Cox to confirm that only one has a father called Samuel. Do you think they will do this for me or mind? Gwen

Tower Hamlets are usually really good about things when you email them, I guess depends how busy they are at the moment. In the meantime, I would be trawling around looking for Hattons in the same area as it looks like they may tie in at some point. Good luck!

Thanks Heather I was just typing a letter to them and thinking I wondered if they minded me emailing them its worth a try I surpose. I would hate to start working back on the info I have only to find it was the wrong line. Can you imagine how you would feel after all that work!!!! Thanks Gwen