Genealogy Chat

Hi i have got myself a bit confused on the 1881 census Robert Whitehead b 1839 and Elisa Whitehead b 1842 had a daughter called Eliza b1866. On the 1871 census they had a daughter called Clara b 1866. Have i read this write as i can't find them now on the free BMD so was wondering if i am getting into a pickle and they actually married one of Robert and Elisa's sons. Could anyone put me back on track please. Many thanks Jennie Sorry they were registered in Sculcoates hull

check the complete 1837 to 1983 images on ancestry, if they are their in the same quarter with the same district vol and page number then yes i would think that they are twins, but you would need to buy one of the certs to confirm this, as twins usually have a time of birth on the cert. Roy

1871 - no sign of twins. Possibly the enumerator got muddled with mother's name, or the daughter changed her name between censuses. Happens all the time! Southcoates Yorkshire Robert Whitehead abt 1837 Marton, Yorkshire, England Head Eliza Whitehead abt 1842 Sutton, Yorkshire, England Wife >>>>>Clara Whitehead abt 1866 Hull, Yorkshire, Daughter Harry Whitehead abt 1867 Hull, Yorkshire, Son George W Whitehead abt 1868 Hull, Yorkshire, Son Ada M Whitehead abt 1870 Hull, Yorkshire, Daughter

Hi Helen thanks for your reply. This is where i get confused as on the 1881 census it mentions a Eliza Whitehead born 1866 but nothing about Clara Whitehead!! Am i getting myself into a bit of a pickle? Thanks Jennie

Jennie: I've read that if the son or daughter was given the same name as the parent that sometimes the parents chose to use the child's middle name, sometimes only until the parent died. I have a LOT of ancestors who were known by their middle names (never reverting back to their first name). Ohhhh, just reread your message. Ooops, this certainly isn't the case, eh?

Lisa J No, I think you're right. I was lucky with my rellie that did that on her first census she was Caroline L and on the next, Louisa C. Her mother's name was Caroline. I found the birth ref & she was Caroline Louisa. It was easier to guess because she used the second initial each time. I bet if you can find the birth ref she'll be called Eliza Clara Sarah :-)

As I said previously, Eliza could be a mistake in recording for Clara (whoever gave the info may have given wife's name twice). Or maybe Eliza was named after her mother but called Clara when a baby to avoid confusion. I've got an Annie who turns into Elizabeth Anne, an Ellen Eliza who becomes Eliza and then Elizabeth and other variations. nell

Thanks Helen i think i have it sorted now. Sorry i am quite easily confused on here at the minute. Thanks again Jennie