Genealogy Chat

I'm stuck with a marraige as I don't have the womans maiden name. I know the names of her children and when they were born though. If I order one of the birth certs for her children from the GRO will it tell me her maiden nameas well as her married name?? The births are all between 1863 and 1881. I have only ordered one birth cert before and it did have a maiden name on it but it was for 1920. Any advise??

Just double checked on my certs and yes on one from 1860 the mums maiden name is on it. elaine:))

I have a birth certificate from 1843 and the mothers maiden name is on that too. Kath

Thanks for that, I will order a birth cert for one of the children and keep my fingers crossed..... Thanks again Kx

Hi, Karen, Do any of the children have unusual middle names ? Sometimes parents would use the mother's or father's surname as a middle name. I have successfully found mother's maiden names and linked several of my ancestors this way. Regards, Peter.

Hi Peter None of the ten (yes 10!!) children have middle names so I can't get any info from that, thanks for the suggestion though its much appreciated and may be of help on other branches/twigs. Thanks again Kx

The maiden name will be on the certificate. As to middle names, they didn't seem to come into fashion for the poorer classes until the late 19th century. So many fathers, sons and cousins all just named John Jones.

You might be better with her marriage certificate (you only need the groom's name to order it, assuming you have his GRO Reference) as this will not only give you her maiden name but her age and the name and occupation of her father (well, both fathers). When you order, ask for checking points by stipulating the the bride's first name. That way, if you got the wrong groom you will at least get £4 back. Jonathan

Hi Jonathan, thats fine when it works, but I have THREE William Broomfields, all married to Charlotte. If you don't test every link in the chain, one might be suspect and you would not know. Brenda

Yes, I received a birth certificate from 1871 yesterday and it gave me the mother's maiden name which I didn't previously know.

Karen This, and other questions about info on certificates, can be found on very useful website: http://home*.clara*.net/dixons/Certificates/indexbd*.htm remove * before using. nell

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice. I don't want to order her marraige cert as she married a John Mark and believe it or not there are 5 John Mark's which married a Margaret in the period I'm looking for, hence the need to order a birth cert for one of her children to find her maiden name. this will allow me to order the correct marraige cert and find out her fathers name (and his) etc. Thanks again for the advise. Kx