Genealogy Chat

Sorry to drag this up again, but I have been away from home for most of the summer, and with the children back at school, I am charged up again looking for my ancestors. Does anyone out there have any ideas, or information on possible adoptions in the early 1900's Any help would be great. Suzanne Orpington Kent

Hi Ann I know the info. on the 1901 looks strange, but Bessie (or Elizabeth) is definately the mother of all four girls. Catherine I think you are right. I will just have to wait for the 1911 census in the hope that they are on it. They would only have been 13 and 11ish then, so I live in hope. Unless someone else has any bright ideas......

Hi Suzanne Well you have got me thinking now I assume the info Laurie found on the 1901 census is the same as what you found. I can only assume you will have to wait for the next census to trace their whereabouts, assuming they have kept the same names and not married by the time the next census comes around. There's always the slim chance of checking a death, that's if they died with the same surname and not married as well. Regards Catherine

Suzanne The mystery is Bessie and the 2 older girls are down as visitors. The 2 little girls as daughters (of the household) so perhaps somebody is missing or its a mistake.

Hello again Maxine Thanks to you and Laurie for the info. but as I said in my original message I had already found them on the 1901 living with their Mother and two older sisters (Contance is my Great Grandmother). That was the first time anyone had heard of them. It's where I go from there which is a conumdrum!!

Hi Suzanne Laurie Farrelly Very kindly used up one of her 1901 credits to get the following: "Found Micael Tobin age 61yrs born Canada (head of house) Caroline Tobin wife age 59yrs born Poland Bessie Graham, visitor age 34yrs born United States Lily Graham, visitor age 13yrs born London Pimlico Constance Graham, visitor age 12yrs born Manchester Victoria Graham, daughter age 3yrs born Northwich Cheshire and Annie Graham, daughter age 5m born Concett, Eng Address of house is 78 Ferndale Rd." Does this help at all? Regards Maxine

Hi Suzanne I found both of the records on Free BMD exactly as you described them(so I assume that you have their registration references) I did an enquiry using the 1901 census decoder looking for firstly female and then male "Graham"s in Lambeth. What came back seems to indicate that they were living with someone who wasn't called Graham at that time. The reason I come to that conclusion is that they both have the same page reference , and their person Ids follow on, but there is no one else on the graham result in the same sequence(Victoria 1436260 & Annie 1436261). Of course I may be completely wrong!!! Have you looked at the household for the 1901 census? I can send you the file if it helps. Regards Maxine

Hello Jeannie Thanks for your interest. I haven't used FreeBMD because it doesn't go much further than 1902, and like you say, it isn't complete. I have checked up to 1920 on 1837online, which IS complete, so I know they must have been brought up by someone until they reached the age when they could have married.

Hi Suzanne I have read your message and the replies bit I was just wondering where you checked for their deaths. I don't want to put you off but I have had mixed success in finding info on Free BMD and very little success with Family History, in other words their data bases are far from complete. Jeannie

Hi Jim Yes, another good suggestion. My Great Nan's mother had two brothers, but no sisters (as far as I know). I have found both brothers on the 1901. Both are actors so they moved around a lot. One was divorced and the other had a family of his own. Perhaps he took on his two nieces, but I still think I will have to wait until the 1911 census to discover their whereabouts. Your friend from Bromley Common!! Hi Maxine You might regret this, but here goes: VICTORIA ALISON C GRAHAME born Northwich, March 1898 and ANNIE ELIZABETH S GRAHAME born Lanchester, December 1900 If you find anything out, I'll love you forever!!!!!

You've got me hooked now Suzanne! What were their names and DOBs?

Suzanne, Did great grandma's mum have siblings, one of whom could have raised his/her nieces? Jim

Hi Maxine Good thinking, but I have already got the certificates and the two little girls definately had the same parents as my Great Grandmother. Intriguing eh? I'd love to find out what happened to them. Suzy

Hi there Not wanting to put you off, but there have been errors known on the 1901 census. You may need to find the birth certificates for the 2 little girls before you can confirm their definate relationship with the householder, as the census takers often got things wrong. They may have been visitors or neices. I would definately get their certs, and go from there. Regards Maxine

I wonder if anyone can help me with a conundrum. My Great Grandmother was known to have just one sister; my Mum remembers visiting them shortly before they died in the 1960's. However, on the 1901 census, I have found two other, younger sisters aged 3 years and 5 months. Now my Great Grandmother's Mum died in 1903 and her father died in 1909. Where did the two little girls go? Their older sisters were in their late teens by then and about to get married. I have looked for any death entries for them, but have drawn a blank. I know their older sisters did not 'take them on' because until now no-one knew of their existence. Does anyone have any ideas where to look? Were there such places as orphanages? Do I have to wait for the 1911 census to be released to find out their fate? Any help would be great!!