Genealogy Chat

I have a birth certificate which gives the name of the mother as Rebecca Tunstall (her married name), late "Whitbread", formerly "Miller".......I need to know, for certain, which is her maiden name so that I can safely research her ancestors. Any help will be much appreciated..........Regards..Alice.

Hi! I think 'formerly' would be the maiden name and 'late' a dead husband. Would have been easier if they used 'née' wouldn't it? :-)) Hazel

Alice I think its the other way, I think the last name mentioned is the first one, so she was Miller, then married Whitbread. This is from the excellent http://home*.clara*.net/dixons/Certificates/indexbd*.htm [remove * to use] "If a woman has not been married there will be a sole entry for her name e.g. Martha Robinson. If a woman has ever been married there will be two names shown for her e.g. Martha Robinson formerly Wheeler. If a woman has been married more than once the names shown will be e.g. Martha Robinson late Wheeler formerly Gregory." nell

It would make sense in the time sequence for "late(ly)" to be the more recent and "formerly" to be what went before (i.e. the maiden name). Christine

Hello again! Even the Shorter Oxford Dictionary is of no help, in this case, giving - 'formerly', at some time past, in former days, a short time ago, just now, and - 'late', recently, of late, not long ago. Thus I would go along with Nell! Hazel

Ruminating - as one does! - I seem to find my first reply more convincing as 'late' is clearly later! Hazel

Many thanks to Hazel, Nell, Barbara and Christine for your most helpful replies.....Regards..Alice

The correct format is "name now", late "recent name", formerly "maiden name". Late means "of late", formerly means prior to that. Have a look at your own birth cert. Most have just married name then formerly "maiden name". A previous marriage is late(ly). The dixon site is badly written on this point Bob

It's definitely the formerly name that is the maiden name. I had the same question and rang the GRO who told me that the late...... was the previous married name and formerly..... was the maiden name. Kath. x