Genealogy Chat

I appreciate everyone's replies, even if they are 4 years after the request, it shows what caring people you all are, and thanks to Selena for alerting me to the replies.
Jim & Jacky that is indeed my family. I only recently discovered the Reaky one as being my Ann.

The spellings are variously Rex, Reakes & Raikes which adds greatly to the gaiety of the search.
In the intervening 4 years I have subscribed to Ancestry which has helped a lot.

regards and thanks
Pat

Oh!
Fiddlesticks.
Memo to self, CHECK DATES OF THREADS

I just realised we are working on a thread that's 4 YEARS OLD!

found another, not sure where wells is

Births Sep 1838 (>99%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REAKES Ann Victoria Wells 10 472

just checked, Wells is in Somerset

Is this one any good?

Births Sep 1842 (>99%)


REAKES Ann Shepton Mallet 10 385


Selena

Has anyone mentioned that birth registration was not compulsory until 1875?

1861
Ann Reaky abt 1840 Evercrich, Somerset, England Servant Shepton Mallet Somerset
This has a correction so someone else is researching this line.
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1851
Ann Reakes Jane abt 1840 Pilton, Somerset, England Daughter Evercreech Somerset
Her father's name is George(ag lab)
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
1841
Ann Reakes abt 1840 Somerset, England Pilton Somerset

Although This Ann was born in Pilton she may not have known that as she lived in Evercreech as a child.

Hi
My maiden name is Rex and I come from Bristol. Going back our name changed to Reakes and are fom the same area as yours.The spelling differed depending on the vicar.Most couldn't read or write and relied on the vicar to spell the name.Imagine a west country accent and you'll see what I mean.My Rexs came from an area whose vicar spelt it this way - one of mine was registered as Reakes in one parish but buried under Rex in another!
I have the 1851 census and there is a Jane Reakes - widow 85 South St,Evercreech
Louisa 15 Linen spinner
Elizabeth 13 Silk worker
Ann 11 silk worker
Jane was from Batcombe and the girls Pilton and Doulting nearby.
Any good?
My father has reams of Taunton stuff - will try and ask him.
Regards
Jacky

It is perfectly possible she lied about her age, I have gt grandparents whose (1883) marriage cert says they were both of full age, when in fact they were both only 18, and I have their birth certificates to prove it, clearly they didnt have to prove their ages to the registrar, (it was a registry office wedding by licence)

Suzanne & Beryl Thanks for looking,& the thoughts on alternative spellings, those male Raikes were red herrings. I have the birth certificates & they were actually born in Shepton Mallet with a different father. I found a lot of Reakes in Evercreech,but none of the right ages & names.Our spelling is so definite, my grandfather even had Raikes as his middle name, as have my uncle & some cousins. She was on the 1881 census but in her married name of Pitt.All I can think is that her birth was registered some time after the event, for whatever reason. I shall keep checking FreeBMD in the hope that she will turn up. thanks for your help Pat

Hi Pat I have had a good look, but could not find an Ann Raikes. What a pain in the neck, eh? I did, however, find four records for Raikes, all male and all born in Shepton Mallet. One in 1837, one in 1839 and twins in 1841. Could these be her brothers? I apologise if you already have this information. But if you think they could be related, it may be worth your while sending off for a copy of the birth certificate(s) anyway. One of my GGG Grandmothers was born abroad, so there is little chance of getting her birth certificate. So I sent off for her brother's instead (he was born in London), and it gave me their parents' names. I have all the reference numbers if you haven't got them. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Hi Pat, Have you searched under a possible different spelling of the name? My maiden name was Reeks originally from Dorset but there are strong links with Somerset. I have found the name spelt various ways - Raikes, Rakes, Reekes etc. and I have looked at the Evercreech info on Family Search etc. to try and find a possible link without success - my Grandfather was once listed as Rix! As far as I know although civil registration began in 1837 it wasn't until 1875 that the burden of responsibility to register a child's birth was legally binding on a parent. If I've got that wrong I'm sure someone will put me right! Good luck, Beryl. Co.Durham.

Suzanne Thanks for the offer, here is the challenge Born Ann Raikes in Evercreech, nr Shepton Mallett in Somerset. About 1839/40. Married in St George's Bristol, her father was George Raikes. I have searched FreeBMD, 1837online, Family Search., all to no avail. I went to Evercreech & spent a jolly afternoon among the tombstones, again with no success. My latest hunt on FreeBMD produced a Hannah Raikes of Shepton Mallett dying in 1840. Am awaiting her death certificate, if she died giving birth to Ann, registering the birth may have been overlooked. It would be marvellous to find her. Jim, I spoke to the Vicar at Evercreech & all the parish records are kept at Taunton now, that means a full day which I have not yet organised. Pat

Hi Pat Where have you looked? I'm sure if you give your Great Grandmother's details, one of us may be able to help find a record of her birth.

Civil Registration did not start until July 1837, and it did take a while before all was running properly. I suggest that, if you have an idea WHERE your ancestor was born, you may well find her in the Parish Registers for that Parish. In fact, Parish Registers continue to be a good source of information on Baptisms Marriages & Burials. Best of luck with your research, Jim, Gosport.

I have my great grandmother's marriage certificate from 1871 which shows her as a "spinster of full age". I found her on the 1901 Census aged 61. BUT I cannot find any record of the registration of her birth. Would she have needed her birth certificate when she got married, or is that a more recent requirement?. The wedding was in Church. I would appreciate any advice on this. thanks. Pat. Frome, Somerset