Genealogy Chat

Thanks Chloe, However I can't find Caroline Brabrook or Braybrook age 23, born Denston in the 1871 census in Denston or elsewhere - any clues? YES: I'm convinced that you're right that John Brabrook was not the father of Charles Metcalf, otherwise the 'usual' procedure would be for Charles to appear with them in 1871 and probably under the surname Brabrook. Births Mar 1870 BRAYBROOK, Albert Henry; Risbridge *********** Births Mar 1848 MEDCALF, Caroline; Risbridge (Vol 12 page 427). ********** Marriages Mar 1848 MEDCALF, Henry; Risbridge (12 571) but no Jane as spouse - so perhaps not Caroline's parents, or perhaps he was widowed and remarried at some stage?

Stephen - well done for finding them on the 1881. I'd already showed the results of the 1871 for Charles aged 3. Perhaps he wasn't allowed to live with Caroline and her husband because he wasn't John's son.

Bingo thrice surely! 1881 RG11/4916/53/41: Caroline Braybrook (with a y) age 33, born Denton (sic) in Suffolk at 32 Albion Street, Escomb in Durham, wife of John Braybrook, age 35, born Stradeshall (sic: surely Stradishall). Along with children Albert (11) and Ellen Jane (9) both born Denton, Suffolk and then Earnest G. (7), Florance E. (5) and Mary Ann (2) all born Witton Park, Durham. So Caroline Metcalf married John Braybrook DQ 1868 Risbridge, Albert was born 1869/70 and Ellen Jane 1871/2 both in Denston, then in about 1873 they moved to this area and have been there since (well to 1881 anyway!). 1871 census Denston at 12 Lower Green: Henry Medcalf head age 43, wife Jane age 41 and grandson Charles age 3 (all born Denston). And it's probably difficult to find in the index because some of the writing is difficult to read.

PS - can't find Caroline under either of those surnames. Maybe she didn't marry one of them, but the one who isn't on the page (usually three couples). Maybe she died by 1871 and that is why Charles is with his grandparents. Chloe

Looks like Medcalf on the image. Name Age in 1871 Birthplace Relationship Civil Parish County/Island View Image John Elworthy 6 months Lincoln's in Fields, Middlesex, England Grandson Denston Suffolk Francis Ling 31 Hundon, Suffolk, England Lodger Denston Suffolk Henry Ling 61 Hundon, Suffolk, England Lodger Denston Suffolk Charles Wodeay 3 Denston, Suffolk, England Grandson Denston Suffolk Henry Wodeay 43 Denston, Suffolk, England Head Denston Suffolk Jane Wodeay 41 Denston, Suffolk, England Wife Denston Suffolk

Bingo! 1881 RG11/4916/57/50 Charles Metcalfe (with an e) age 13, born Denston in Suffolk, at 74 Albion Street, Escomb in Durham, the grandson of Henry (51) and Jane Metcalfe(50) both born Denston, no other Metcalf(e) at that address. So perhaps Caroline is married by 1881? I still can't see them in 1871 yet... Later addition: Bingo again perhaps! There is a marriage of a Caroline Metcalf in Risbridge district (which included Denston) in DQ 1868. She married either John Brabrook or William Orriss I think (from FreeBMD) - so maybe that's why we can't see her as Caroline Metcalf in any subsequent census. But IF her husband was the father then why is Charles not with them in 1881? Buy the marriage certificate to find out more - is her father Henry Metcalf?

In my experience you'll rarely find the father if he's not named on the birth certificate - that will have to wait until autosomal DNA studies are much, much improved (come back in 60 years). However some possible tips: 1) when Charles Frederick METCALF married he would have had to add details of his father (name and occupation): what did he write? He may have written his grandfather's name, which will be helpful (and there is a tendency to do that because the surname is the same - it's a bit of a giveaway if Chas says his father is say John SMITH!). He might use the real name of his father, or his step-father if his mother (subsequently) married. 2) Censuses: try the 1871 or 1881 census if you don't already have them. They're better indexed and 1871 is closer to the date of birth, and you have two names and one age: in 1871 you'd be looking for a Charles METCALF age 2 or 3 born Denston and see if he's with his mother or grandparents. Even in 1881 at 12 or 13 he's still likely to be living with relatives. 3) If you find Caroline in one of those censuses you'll get her age and place of birth and then you can look for her birth certificate and look for her and family in 1861 and 1851. Before the illigitimate birth (well before 40 weeks or so before it) nobody sees it coming so there's no need to be disingenuous, and census details etc. seem more likely to be accurate. Whereas afterwards there might be the odd fib here or there - using a middle name as a forename, prentending the illigitimate child is a child of the grandparents, for instance. I assume your Chas. is the one in Crossgate, Durham in 1891 - with wife Rachel and young son Henry? Good luck, Stephen

Have you tried finding her on the 1861, its a long shot but she may have been living with the father of the child. One of mine had four children listed with the fathers name as the middle name.

The child was named Charles Fredrick METCALF and was born in 1868 to a Carlione METCALF in Denstone, Suffolk. Thanks for the info Helen! :)

Samantha You don't say when the child was born. If it is in the 1800s it is possible you may find the father in bastardy bonds. These were the poorlaw equivalent of the Child Support Agency. The mother would be questioned by the parish to see who the father was and then they would try to get the father to pay maintenance for the child. Bastardy bonds are in parish records in the relevant county records office. The father might also be listed in the baptism register. Sometimes a child's middle name is an indication of the father's surname. nell

After months of searching and hitting my head against a brick wall with lots of possibles and maybe's I have now definatly confirmed that the illigitamate child who I thought was one of my ancestors, is! But now comes my next problem, as this is the first illigitimate child I have come accross im not quite sure what to do next!? Usually I order the parents marriage cert to get their fathers names and make sure im following the right line back to the next generation, but as I dont know the childs fathers name, only the mothers what can I do next?! I dont want to guess and end up with someone elses family! Or is it simply that thats as far as that branch goes? Any advise or info would be great! Thanks!