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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Hampshire & Isle of Wight => Topic started by: miriamkinga on Friday 21 May 10 15:31 BST (UK)
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I have come across a MIDGE GOATER on the 1881 census for Newmarket.
She is listed as born 1860 in Littleton, Hampshire and is a cousin of the head of the family JAMES GOATER born 1839 Stockbridge, Hampshire.
I have tried to trace her forwards and backwards with no success.
Any thoughts as to what Midge could be short for would be really appreciated.
Many thanks
Best wishes
Maria
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Nowadays it can be short for Michelle but in those days, I'd say it was Margaret
Gadget
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Are you sure it isn't Madge (which is a nickname for Margaret)?
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Thanks for your replies.
Just checked the image and its definitely written as "Midge". Unfortunately if it is short for Margaret - I can't find one who fits!
Sometimes this is a very frustrating hobby!
Thanks again
Best wishes
Maria
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"Midge" in modern usage is backslang for Jim. "JIM" becomes "MIJ".
Doesn't help with a female though..... :P
At http://www.behindthename.com/name/midge it is listed as a variant of "Madge" which is a diminutive of Margaret.
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Thanks Greenrig - will keep looking for an elusive "Margaret".
Best wishes
Maria
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Outside chance ~
There is a birth registration for an Emma Goater, June q, 1859, Winchester vol 2c p 86
Littleton is in the Winchester RD.
Gadget
added - forget that - I've found her with her parents on the 1881 :(
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An interesting family of Goaters on the 1861 in Littleton. Henry, aged 27, was b. Stockbridge and was a horse trainer.
There is a daughter, Kate, aged 2, b. Littleton (on Freebmd as Katie, Sept q 1859 , Winchester 2c 81)
RG9/691/56/ 1
Nearest I can find to a birth in circa 1860 in Littleton
Gadget
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This (US) site claims that Midge can be a diminutive of "Michelle".
Thus a feminised version of "Michael". Personally, I'm not convinced.
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Midge
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I knew a Midge - short for Mildred.
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An interesting family of Goaters on the 1861 in Littleton. Henry, aged 27, was b. Stockbridge and was a horse trainer.
There is a daughter, Kate, aged 2, b. Littleton (on Freebmd as Katie, Sept q 1859 , Winchester 2c 81)
RG9/691/56/ 1
Nearest I can find to a birth in circa 1860 in Littleton
Gadget
And would you believe it - the James Goater, jockey, who 'Midge' was staying with in 1881 is listed in the same household as 'brother' to Henry in 1861
Gadget
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You should consider that Midge is a shortening of midgit just indicating that she was a small person. With a brother who was a jockey this is a distinct possibilty.
I had a similar problem with someone called Dot for whom I spent years searching for a Dorothy only to eventually discover that she was named Ada and nicknamed Dot because of her small stature.
Daid
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Hi David
I was thinking the same as I've followed this particular Kate on the censuses and she only seems to be Midge in 1881. I'm thinking it was James's pet name for her.
Gadget
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Littleton baptisms have been transcribed - this is the link:
http://www.downs-benefice.hampshire.org.uk/benefice/lbapts1.pdf
(Also listed on the Hampshire resources board ;) )
A number of Goater baptisms.
Nell
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That Kate does look likely, altough I like the sound of Emma; Emma G... EmG .. MG .. Midge! But then I'm weird like that and likely think that way.
Good luck and remember if you do work it out add it to this post so we will all learn.
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Hi I have a friend called Midge her name is Maureen, sorry to add another name to the suggestions.
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Hi
Midge Ure = Jim
Ray
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Thanks Bitternlass. Not come across a Maureen yet though the idea that she was christened Jim is certainly appealing Ray ;D
I'll get to the bottom of it yet!
Thanks again
best wishes
Maria
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Margaret, Marjory.Madeleine
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Ignore my post!
I have deleted what I wrote. ;D
I must learn to read ALL the posts before I contribute! :-[
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Totally confused now ??? whatever you contribute KG is always gratefully received ;D
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Simples!
I repeated (almost word-for-word) a earlier reply by Gadget! ;D :-X
And then noticed his reply.
Couldn't find the "delete" button?
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Great minds think alike ;D
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Simples!
I repeated (almost word-for-word) a earlier reply by Gadget! ;D :-X
And then noticed his reply.
Couldn't find the "delete" button?
He's a she ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
(I see that it was the first reply on 21 May 2010 and I'm still here :-X )
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He's a she ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
(I see that it was the first reply on 21 May 2010 and I'm still here :-X )
Oops!! :-[ :-[
It was your reply #11 - regarding James being a jockey.
I had just come home from a weekend away - and a whole day of flights/airports! 3 flights; 4 airports! ::)
Obviously my brain was still muddled!! ;D
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I thought that it was decided that she was Kate 3 years ago ;D
Just goes to show that revisiting these old threads can be dangerous to health - although they do sometimes bring more info.
Gadget
(Also noticed that it looks as if Maria didn't reply to the last few replies back then - so maybe didn't see :-X )
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Told you my brain was jet-lagged!
I didn't even realise it was an old thread! :o
I just look at [New Replies] each day, and respond if I think I can add something.
I usually start at the latest post but, for some strange reason started by looking at the oldest post?!
Sorry!! ;D :-X
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The name 'Midge' is a genuine fore name in its own right, I worked with this chap for many years and never knew that he had been awarded the MM in WW2, I was always under the impression this was a family nick name, but he was christened Jesse Midge.
bowman
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I used to know an elderly lady called Midge and she said that was what she was christened.
??? ??? ???
Dawn M
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....and I was at school with a girl known as Midge and we were surprised to discover (when she died) that her name was actually Madeleine :)
Kim
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Thanks Dawn & Kim - what a shame - Madeleine' s a lovely name - I wouldn't want to be Midge :)
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There is a show on Amazon streaming called 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'. The lead character''s name is Miriam and they call her Midge for short. Hope this helps.
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Also, found this on babynamespedia.com:
The baby girl name Midge is also used as a boy name. It is pronounced MIH-JH- †. Midge is of Latin origin and it is used mainly in English.
Midge is a familiar form (English) of the English and Scottish Marjorie.
Midge is also a familiar form (English) of the English, French, and German Michelle.
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My mother was known as Midge when she was a child, because she was much shorter than her twin brother. Her name was Mabel.
So a nickname and a real name.
Jackie
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From Google ... a name for girls. The name Midge means "who is like God?". Midge is an alternate spelling of Michelle (French, Hebrew): feminine of Michael. Seems to include so many possibilities.
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As this has been reactivated (!), I can add that I've had email correspondence with a Midge in NZ whose 'formal' name is Margery
Dawn M