Genealogy Chat

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My maternal grandmother, Florence Lilian Emery was born in 1887 at 4 Suffolk Street, Poplar, father James Emery and mother Harriet Lavinia Emery nee Hamilton. In 1881 the occupants of 4 Suffolk Street were Francis Hamilton, Boilermaker, his wife and children including Harriet aged 21. On 29 August 1886 James Emery married a Maggey Hamilton aged 26 in Bromley by Bow. (Certificate received today) Maggey's father was Francis William Hamilton, Boilermaker. It therefore seems pretty conclusive that Harriet and Maggey were one and the same, but why should she be Maggey at marriage and Harriet on the census and when she registered my grandmother's birth?

Sounds that this is the same person, but as to why she changed her name - who knows? Are you sure the original certificate says Maggey, only I'm thinking that capital M and H could be mistaken, the second letter in Harriet & Maggey is a and is followed by two double letters... nell

It certainly reads as Maggey on the certificate and is on freebmd transcribed as that. Unless there's a transcription error between the original record and the GRO? And two daughters of the same age both marrying a James Emery?

Can Harriet/Maggey write? Have you seen her signature or mark on the original marriage register? It is unusual for people to be married with what reads like a pet name. Do you have her on any later censuses, or her death? B

She's on 1901 as Harriet, in Bromley with James and kids. And on the marriage certificate it's a signature, not 'Her mark', although that's the GRO copy, not the church original.

Tell me if I'm wrong but could it be both names are hers at birth A first and second, Then when marrid found that a close relle had same first name so to save confution started to use the second name and it got to be a habbit off uses at the time of the census.

Susan Could you post what you've found on 1871, please. And if anyone could do an 1861, I'd be grateful.

Thanks Susan. I'll cross-check it at home. Francis William in 1881 is William F in 1871 and has only aged 8 years (38 to 46). Emma has only aged 8 years (32 to 40) and her birth-place has gone from Limehouse to Poplar. Francis has only aged 9 years (9 to 18) William (4 to 14) looks OK! Louisa seems the right age for Harriet/Maggey ! But I think they are the same family. Why, oh why can't they be consistent?