Genealogy Chat

Anyone got any tips about finding someone who seems to have been economical with the truth at times? This girl turns up at an 'unmarried mothers' home in 1930 saying she is 16. 4 years later she is getting married but though she says she is 21 the dates don't add up and if she is 16 before, she is 20 at the most. Also she apparently changes her christian name from Eileen Mary Faith to Ellen Mary after marrying; all the later references call her Ellen. I cannot find a birth cert listed in bmd for either name in 1912, 1913 or 1914. From marriage cert it seems she is illegitimate. 1914 bmd gives 2 girls born to mothers with 'maiden name' listed as same ie probably illegitimate births, one is a Grace MF. It's an unusual surname, only 3 or 4 births each quarter. How likely is it at that period that a 15 year old girl is giving birth like this? Any helpful advice?

Gilda As contraception was considered taboo and abortion was illegal, its quite likely that 15-year old were having babies. But a thought - if your Eileen was 16 she could have been about to be 17, which means that in 4 years time she would be 21. Alternatively she could have lied about her age to get married without parental consent. nell

Hello Gilda, I agree with Helen. It is very possible. Also in relation to the names Eileen/Ellen could that just be a mis-recording by whomever was recording at the time or even mistranscription of various records. Good luck. Jan