Genealogy Chat

Having trouble with my paternal grandfather (it is quite a complicated trouble) so I mailed the National Archives and they were very quick to send me a response. They will search for the info I require, but because the details i can provide are so limited, I think it would cost me megga£££££. Can anyone point me in a cheaper direction if I provide the info I have??? Kathlyn

cap on - what do you have to help us Jim

Kathleen Perhaps if you put the information that you have on here, you might get lucky.

Jim, I have a feeling that your name may well be correct!!! The info I have is.......Name on Marriage certificate is JOHN MAUDSLEY.......Father, George Massie, this is then crossed out and John Maudsley inserted, but the occupation of George Massie is left as Baker. I do not know the name of granddads mother but presume it could be Mary as granddad said he had a sister called Mary Ellen. George Massie was granddads stepfather. Granddad was born in 1874. I could not find anything that would tie up with the two names of John and Mary Maudsley, using all variations of the spelling. I decided to try the George Massie road as I knew he was a baker and they lived in Bootle, Lancs. I have uncovered a lot of info about a George Massie, he was born about 1841 in Waverton, Cheshire. He is recorded in the 1881 census as living as a boarder with a Mary Roberts and her two sons, John born abt. 1874 and William born abt 1876. Granddad did not get on with George Massie and ran away from home, headed for Glasgow and enlisted in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, (I have a photo of him in full dress uniform) George Massie must had discovered where John was and travelled to Glasgow and obtained his release as he was underage.......PROBLEM IS........what name did granddad enlist under, Roberts or Maudsley. The only info I can give the N. Archives is where he was born and his date of birth. Any road you think I can go down to get an answer will be GRATEFULLY received. Kathlyn

For reference this is 1881 George Massie abt 1841 Waverton, Cheshire, England Boarder West Derby Lancashire John R. Roberts abt 1874 Liverpool, Lancashire, England Son West Derby Lancashire Mary Roberts abt 1849 Kirkby, Lancashire, England Head West Derby Lancashire William Roberts abt 1876 Liverpool, Lancashire, England Son West Derby Lancashire Heather

There's a possible marriage for George Massie and Mary Roberts in 1894 on freebmd Heather

I have followed the census trail through to 1901. I found George and Mary`s marriage in 1894 and I have just sent away for the certificate. in the 1901 census a Mary E Corney, daughter is living with them....is this my Mary Ellen??????? It seems the only way I have of checking granddads surname, was it Roberts or was it Maudsley, is to see what name he used to enlist in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, but this is the info that, according to the National Archives, could cost me a lot as I can only supply two possible names and a birth year. Fed up and far from home, Kathlyn

Have you found his medal index card?

I don't know if this helps but there is only one John Roberts listed on free BMD born Liverpool 1874 and no John Maudsley Name: John Roberts Year of Registration: 1874 Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun District: Liverpool (1837-1924) County: Lancashire Volume: 8b Page: 47 (click to see others on page Also there are only two William Roberts born 1876 in Liverpool and no William Maudsley on free BMD I suppose you could send for the birth cert of John Roberts and see what it says. Maybe his mother never married his real father but could have named him on birth certificate. Hope this helps Yvonne

No history at all for his army service as he was underage on enlistment and when his stepfather discovered where he was he hotfooted it to Glasgow and had him released. Kathlyn

I have just checked Ancestry all of 1874 and there is no John Maudsley registered in that year for Liverpool Yvonne

Hi Yvonne, You have discovered exactly what I have, no John Maudsley. I am sure you can understand my frustration ^^*&^^^%%$$**&&, Even if I sent for the birth cert. it will give me no information at all as I do not know granddads mother or fathers names, I am well and truely up the creek without a paddle. I have searched for a John Maudsley in 1874 +/- a few years, and yes there are a few, but none with a father also called John, as that is the name on granddad marriage certificate. I so want to know am I a Maudesley or a Roberts???? I will just have to soldier on rewardless. Kathlyn

Surely the 1894 marriage cert should reveal something about the bride? If the details she gives match with Mary Roberts before the birth of her sons.....say on the 1871 or 1861 census, then you might be able to tie things together? Merry

Hi Merry, Good on yer mate, that could be the answer, fingers crossed. I will await the marriage cert. Kathlyn