Genealogy Chat

Helen. The only other point worth trying is to see if there are any settlement records for your Albert and his family by searching at the Lambeth archives for the Poor Law Records. I have searched and found Settlement and Poor Law records and they can be very informative. Having no father named sounds as though he might be illegitimate and possibly be "living" on the parish. Are you near enough to Lambeth to do this research as these records are usually only available at the local record offices. One other person suggested possible Gypsy descent and this may be worth following up as there are good Romany records to be had. It is slightly puzzling though that the next generation son is a gentleman! Maybe there is some truth in the story that you have been told. Family myths are always interesting in that the actual story is often embellished but there is usually a grain of truth in the original story told. Janet

Janet Thanks for your suggestions. I already have copies of both the marriage licence and original Parish record but no father for Albert named on either. Albert stated he was living in the Parish of Lambeth at the time but no address given. On the 1841 Census it states 'of this county' ie Middlesex and Albert was a 'no'. Mary was born pre 1837 so no certificate and cannot trace a christening. Thank you for trying anyway.

Three suggestions to ask and for you to think over: You can ask to see actual marriage licence through Lambeth which should give you more info. What county was Albert shown as having been born in 1841? Have you Mary's birth cert? Might give you some extra clues if you know the answers. Janet

Thanks for that Rosemary, I'll give it a try.

Helen, I have had a great deal of help from "Listers", people who "subscribe" to a mailing list for a particular area. If you go on to the Genuki website and look at the mailing lists you will find one for Norfolk. These lists are free of charge to use and people are very helpful. Rosemary(Chelmsford)

Paul That is something I would love to know. The only clue (red herring?) I have, is that my 93 year old Gran claims Albert was from Norfolk (or his family was?) and was related to Elizabeth Gurney, later to become Elizabeth Fry. I have contacted several people who have Gurney/Fry ancestors but none can find an Albert. I would like to find a link to this famous family but would be equally happy if I found out Albert's dad worked in a dockyard.

Do you have any place of residence/birth by any chance? If so, Parish Records may provide an answer by way of a birht entry. Paul

I am having yet another go at finding out more about Albert Gurney. Here's what I've found so far- Albert had a son Richard Albert on 7 March 1842. The mother was Susannah, formerly Glasscock. Albert's occupation was gentleman and they were living at 71 George St (St Pancras). I have Albert's death certificate 22 Dec 1842, heart disease, aged 39, address as above. Informant was Hannah Glasscock, sister. 1841 Census shows Albert 40, Susannah 35 and a daughter Mary 5, at 71 George St. Albert was NOT born Middlesex and was a 'traveller'. Max kindly found me the marriage details for Albert and Susannah, 26 May 1831 in Lambeth. They were married by licence as Susannah was under 21. Her father is named as John but no details of Albert's father. Has anyone any ideas as to how I can find out the name of Albert's father? Albert was an unusual name at that time but I cannot find anything online. Does anyone know anything about newspaper obituaries as this is the only line of enquiry I can think of? Thanks for taking the time to read this, all suggestions gratefully received!

See below