what to do about nothing!

[ptjw7]

I hope every one is well and finding the right line!!
I feel as if I'm losing the plot as I've sent for 2 certs that I now think are wrong.
So what does one do with so little to go on bits that just dont add up and a story that may or may not be true that even throws doubt on my very surname!!

SO just what is definitive proof of a link!!
I just dont know anymore

Any words of encouragement!!

peter

 

[p.risboy]

Hi Peter,

How far back are these certs. And how accurate have you been getting there.

Steve.

 

[ptjw7]

The certs I sent for were a marriage of a John Walton in Lambeth in 1864 to see if he married an Elizabeth!
the second was his son a Joseph Thomas Walton born 1877 in edmonton.
It wasnt till later the penny dropped and icould see if there was amarriage for the John Thomas! - and yes I found one so he cannot be the grandfather .
I also found him in the 1911 census as I did my grandfather - so another red herring - getting to like em!
The main problem I have is that my grandfather is missing from birth till 1911 - found his parents and family further back but of him nowt!!! Just a lot of maybe.
The other odd thing is my gt grandfather got married in 1870 ( have cert) but he is on the 1871 census at home!! never found his wife - all in all a very strange todo!!
Which is my quandry i just dont know what is real anymore.

peter

 

[jackson]

Hi Peter
I cannot help but feel your frustration but don't despair, i went for two years having trouble lining up my paternal grandmother with all her family, then it all fell into place when i finally discovered she was actually my greatgrandmother, how silly i felt, but the point is that if you dont stick to it you will never find out the answer. It is a great feeling when you can confirm a family line. So chin up mate and don't worry too much we have all been there.
regards Jackson.

 

[ptjw7]

The trouble is that as a starter all I have is that his parents were a joseph and elizabeth and to link that you need abirth certificate, the first candidate I found didnt materialise a birth certificate as the GRO caulnt find it.
So a not to good a start, the second candidate at least materialised and the mother was an elizabeth and father a joseph. My main concern is that 40 years is a long time to bridge without any other links and I just cannot trace them in 1881,1891 or 1901 census, in the 1911 census I have found him as he had got married.

Peter

 

[duckweed]

Presumable you have tried various years for Birth Certificate? Could he have been born illegitimate so legal surname is different from one given on census? I've had that happen to me before.

Secondly if he married and yet still at home with no wife. Does the census say he is single? Have you looked for wife with her parents? If she was going through first pregnancy she could be with her parents.

 

[ptjw7]

Hi Duckweed,
I will have to look for other years for birth - I was going for the locality, and I have just looked at the 1911 census and noticed (probably for the first time) that is says " born - Huntingdon St Hoxton".
That is the address it says on the birth cert that I have so I'm now sure I have the right person!!
As to the 1871 census it definately says 'unmarried' - so a bit odd to say the least.
I thank you duskweed for the questions as I think that I have the right person!!!
I know I have the right mother as not many women with the name of Elizabeth Mary Ann around then!!!!

Peter

 

[brentor boy]

When was your grandfather born? Is it possible that between her marriage in 1870 and 1871 census your great-grandmother died (in child birth?) and that your grandfather was then raised by someone else and recorded in their name? To your great grandfather, having only been married for a few months, it would seem as if he had never been married.

This scenario is drawn from an event in my own tree.

 

[ptjw7]

Unfortunately(or fortunately as I'm here!) he was born 21st june 1876 at 44 Huntingdon St. London.
That street took some finding on old maps as far as I can tell they were slums and were cleared sometime in the early 1900,s. The whole family were in the same area, Red Lion St and Norfolk Gardens , all cleared during slum clearance. Judging by the pictures I have of the area I'm surprised anyone survived as not a nice place to live(exist).
If you read what Mr Booth had to say about Norfolk Gardens, not a nice place to be. I'm surprised that anyone survived at all!!

Peter