Genealogy Chat

Hi Ann Yes it does help, any ideas are always good I have a lot of searching to do I think. Thankyou Debbie

Debbie don't know if this helps but my father's middle name was Watson and his father's before him,it was passed down from my father's grandmother her surname was Watson does it help Ann

Hi Teresa Youve got me all in a pickle now. well next door in 1881 was a Thomas Rivers wife Jane Children Thomas, Herbert and Hubert, and where my James was living was Thomas Sheppard with wife Annie. Oh I just dont know anymore I`m going to have to really think about this one. But thank you so much for looking for me. I appreciate it. Debbie Sheppard or it might have been Debbie Rivers if he was adopted what a strange thought Ive always hated my name. The stick I used to get at school upset me at the time, the main one was shepherds pie in your eye. And the other was wheres your sheep baaa. It really used to hurt yet now I think it was so stupid just goes to show how easy it is to upset a child with silly name calling. Still stuck with the name as I still havnt married. Boyfriends name is man and everybody asks and is that with two n`s. no its only one.

Hi Debbi; I found this marriage for Annie Rivers in Maddington, which according to Genuki is registered in Amesbury. Did neighbour have child called Annie? Could neighbors child Annie be James' mum? Maybe she didn't want to keep him. Just a thought. FRANKLIN, Joseph Age: 24 Marriage Wife: Annie French RIVERS Age: 21 Marriage Date: 27 May 1876 Recorded in: Maddington, Wiltshire, England Husband's Father: Stephen FRANKLIN Wife's Father: Jonas RIVERS Source: FHL Film 1279340 Dates: 1876 - 1880

Hi Robert I did check for James Rivers but mine was born in Amesbury Wiltshire. Thanks for looking Joan I think that is the case, Ive been stuck on this one since I started in January his was the first Marriage certificate I got, and I was so excited because I thought wow this is easy. But no it`s not, One day I will find him oh yes I will. Thank you Debbie

Debra I think you are right and Rivers is his mother's maiden name. I've just been having a similar situation in my research. Also I have found families live close together, so the Rivers next door could be his Mum's parents or brother .....? Joan

If your over the fence theory is right then he might have been born James Rivers there are a few on BMD 1873-5 but you dont say where born.

I have a Great Grandfather he married in 1901, I have his marriage certificate. on all of the census it says he was born 1874 which is right on the cert. I have checked Freebmd and 1837 from 1872 to 1876 but nothing. Now in all the censu`s it says his name is James Sheppard and Father Thomas Sheppard and mother Annie. but on recieving the marriage certificate his middle name was Rivers which is very odd as the 1881 and 1891 census has his neighbours called James Rivers and Jane Rivers. Now do you think the reason I could not find his birth is that the neighbours gave birth to him and gave him over the fence. I have tried looking for a thomas sheppard and Annie Rivers marriage but no luck. Could anybody possibly come up with some sort of explanation please. I would be so greatful thanks Debbie