Genealogy Chat

Could anyone help regarding a lost birth record?

I'm looking for, but can't find a Henry Miller, probably born in 1884. He was aged 6 on the 1891 cenus, born in East Ham, Essex (registration district West Ham).

He had a middle initial, which looks like a 'C', which was possible as his mother's maiden name was Coombes, but I have seen it interpreted on a census transcription as E, also possible because his grandfather's name was Henry Edward.

Also, I have found a Henry Miller, born West Ham, on the 1901 census, serving on HMS Majestic, but he is listed as 18, two years older!

Could anyone offer any advice?

Thanks

Suzy

have you tried FreeBMD for the birth

had a look for you from 1881 -1890 and these are the only ones showing

Births Mar 1884 (>99%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miller Henry Alfred W. Ham 4a 122

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Births Dec 1884 (>99%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miller Henry John W. Ham 4a 195

Take it this is him? 1891 - just for ref. Are you wanting the cert to find his mothers maiden name? If so, you could always buy one of the other kids cert? Theres no middle initial there.

Hmm, thats interesting - opposite mum, who is head it says under employment "Income from husband" - so did he leave her?? But who is the elderly Rebecca Miller living with her!! If its mum in law, bit of a coincidence re first name.

Im wondering if mum was either not married to dad - the Rebecca Miller staying with her says mother - not mother in law - so it seems her name is Miller. So, she either didnt marry him or she has dumped his surname and that is why you cant find the kiddies birth ref cos its in dads name. Have you found his marriage cert?

Just re read, you say mum is a Coombs? How do you know that? If so, is it just an error naming the gran Miller?

Name: Henry Miller
Age: 7
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1884
Relation: Son
Mother's Name: Rebecca
Gender: Male
Where born: Plaistow, Essex, England

Civil Parish: West Ham
Ecclesiastical parish: St Mary
Town: West Ham
County/Island: Essex
Country: England

Street address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Education:

Employment status:

View Image

Registration district: West Ham
Sub-registration district: West Ham
ED, institution, or vessel: 48
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Alfred Miller 4
Florence Miller 13
Henry Miller 7
James Miller 10
Rebecca Miller 41
Rebecca Miller 80

Hi Shirley,

Thanks for the two suggestions, but I don't think he is either of them. Have come across both of them in my searches, but census info suggests they aren't right.

Thanks away.

Suzy

Hi Heather

Thanks for all the info but regrettably this isn't the right Miller family. Henry Miller was born in West Ham, but by 1891 the family had moved to Barking, Essex (Romford reg. district). His parents were Richard and Louise (nee Coombes).

I need his birth ref/cert to establish his age so I can match/discard him with the 1901 Henry Miller on the HMS Majestic.

Thanks anyway for all your hard work.

Suzy

Births Dec 1884
Miller Harry Coombes W. Ham 4a 91

Rose

Hi Suzy, have you got Henry's marriage certificate? And/or death certificate?

The more recent the record, the more accurate the date (as a general rule).

Ages on more recent rather than earlier records might be what you need. It really isn't unusual for ages to be wrong on census returns, especially only by two years.

Also, I know my Grandad enlisted at 14/15 for the second world war so maybe this was a common thing? Obviously he lied about his age to get in and it was never checked.

Eleanor

EDIT: Never mind, the above looks pretty likely to me!

Marriages Dec 1907
MILLER Harry Coombes W.Ham 4a 47
FOSTER Caroline W.Ham 4a 47

Rose

No effort, its a shame you werent round earlier BUT LOOK at what Portland has found now.

Hi Portland Rose

Thanks so much. I think you just might have nailed him!

I'll get the birth and marriage certs and may be able to verify the RN connection from there. Who knows?

Thanks again.

Suzy

Hi Eleanor

Thanks for the advice. You are quite right an age discrepancy of two years doesn't really mean a thing.

Looks like Portland Rose may have just found him!

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks

Suzy