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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Gloucestershire => Topic started by: Lawgirl on Sunday 13 October 13 14:22 BST (UK)

Title: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: Lawgirl on Sunday 13 October 13 14:22 BST (UK)
Hi All

I am trying to search for the Rawlings family, but it is causing great confusion.

John Rawlings married Matilda Underhill in Tetbury 1889 & had a son Robert William Rawlings born - 18 Feb 1900 (possibly in Portsmouth).  It is believed that John was a Petty Officer in the Royal Marines & died not long after Robert william was born.  I can find no birth record for Robert William.  It is believed that John's birth year was around 1859 & Matilda 1864.  I have had no trouble finding Matilda's side of the family but when it comes to John it's proving very difficult. 

I have found a Robert William on the 1911 Census living with his mother in Bristol, Matilda is stated as widowed.  I have found a John Rawlings on the 1891 census as being in Gloucester Lunatic Asylum (could this be him?). 

A chatter from Roots kindly helped me & found a Robert William Davis B in Portsmouth in 1900, mother Matilda Davis on the 1901 census.  But this would mean that Matilda was a Underhill then married & became a Rawlings, then changed to Davis & then back to Rawlings which makes no sense at all.  The chatter  who helped me found a wedding for a Davis to Underhill in Sept 1901 in London, they advised me to get a birth cert for this Robert Davis but it turns out the father name was Robert & not James as stated on the marriage cert.  I simply do not know if this Davis is of any connection at all.  The only info i know is 100% correct is that Robert william Rawlings married a Maggie Pitman in Bath Somerset Glos in 1922.  Stated on that marriage cert for father of groom is John Rawlings deceased.

Could it be that Matilda married John then he went into Asylum & she went onto marry Davis, bit it still does not explain why they reverted back the the name Rawlings if this is the correct family.

We know he was a Postman in Bristol later on in his life & it looks like I have a probate for Matilda & she leaves all to Robert.  I am totally & utterly confused & dont really know what my next search should be or where???

Any help would be gratefully appreciated

Many thanks
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: iluleah on Sunday 13 October 13 14:28 BST (UK)
Is this your Matilda?

Name:    Matilda Underhill
Event Type:    Census
Event Date:    1871
Gender:    Female
Age:    6
Relationship to Head of Household:    Daughter
Birthplace:    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Schedule Type:    Household
Registration District:    Tetbury
Sub-District:    Tetbury
Parish:    Tetbury
County:    Gloucestershire
     Household    Gender    Age    Birthplace
Self    William Underhill    M    44    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Wife    Elizabeth Underhill    F    45    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Daughter    Eliza Underhill    F    18    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Son    Albert Underhill    M    15    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Son    Richard Underhill    M    14    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Daughter    Caroline Underhill    F    12    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Son    Eli Underhill    M    10    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Son    Henry Underhill    M    8    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Daughter    Matilda Underhill    F    6    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Son    Edward Underhill    M    4    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Son    John Underhill    M    1    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: iluleah on Sunday 13 October 13 14:32 BST (UK)
Only two John Rawlings on the 1871 with a father James

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VFV8-QGC
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VBD4-18Q
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: iluleah on Sunday 13 October 13 14:34 BST (UK)
Births Jun 1900  RAWLINGS    John Archibald T        Faringdon    2c   279

The district Faringdon spans the boundaries of the counties of Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire

Even with wild cards for the surname there are no John William registered, two John Rawson in the 1Q where he is likely to have been registered ( could be transcription errors) both born North of the country and a John RAWLING registered in the 2Q again north of the country ( Yorkshire)
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: iluleah on Sunday 13 October 13 14:45 BST (UK)
Marriages 2Q 1889   
Rawlings    John         Tetbury    6a   659    
Underhill    Matilda         Tetbury    6a   659

The district Tetbury spans the boundaries of the counties of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: iluleah on Sunday 13 October 13 14:49 BST (UK)
Marriages Sep 1901   
Davis    James        Edmonton    3a   1004   
Rawlings    Matilda Louisa         Edmonton    3a   1004    

The district Edmonton spans the boundaries of the counties of Essex, Hertfordshire and Middlesex
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: iluleah on Sunday 13 October 13 14:56 BST (UK)
Deaths Jun 1899  Rawlings    John    36    Melksham    5a   80
The district Melksham is in the county of Wiltshire
    
Deaths Sep 1899   Rawlings    John    39    Salford    8d   120
The district Salford spans the boundaries of the counties of Greater Manchester and Lancashire
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: Lawgirl on Sunday 13 October 13 15:00 BST (UK)
Is this your Matilda?

Name:    Matilda Underhill
Event Type:    Census
Event Date:    1871
Gender:    Female
Age:    6
Relationship to Head of Household:    Daughter
Birthplace:    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Schedule Type:    Household
Registration District:    Tetbury
Sub-District:    Tetbury
Parish:    Tetbury
County:    Gloucestershire
     Household    Gender    Age    Birthplace
Self    William Underhill    M    44    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Wife    Elizabeth Underhill    F    45    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Daughter    Eliza Underhill    F    18    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Son    Albert Underhill    M    15    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Son    Richard Underhill    M    14    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Daughter    Caroline Underhill    F    12    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Son    Eli Underhill    M    10    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Son    Henry Underhill    M    8    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Daughter    Matilda Underhill    F    6    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Son    Edward Underhill    M    4    Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Son    John Underhill    M    1    Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Hi yes i think this is the family
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: iluleah on Sunday 13 October 13 15:04 BST (UK)
All the above is just data..so

Quote
Could it be that Matilda married John then he went into Asylum & she went onto marry Davis, bit it still does not explain why they reverted back the the name Rawlings if this is the correct family


We try not to make assumptions and only work on facts that we can find as in records, but because we are human and need logic to explain everything we do...so human logic only John Rawlings could havegone into the Asylum/died, she lived with/married Davis...he died or she left him or he left her she reverted back to her previous married name.... John William Rawlings didn't know the name of his father, gave what he thought was his name ( real father....or mothers second husband  ???)
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: iluleah on Sunday 13 October 13 15:11 BST (UK)
So Matilda's parents ......
Marriages 1Q 1849 

Lambert    Elizabeth         Tetbury    11   509      
Underhill    William         Tetbury    11   509
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: ..claire.. on Sunday 13 October 13 15:19 BST (UK)
Hi

The Matilda Davis Found in the 1901 census Portsmouth with son Robert W born 1900 is in the 1891 census with husband Robert, his occupation 2nd. class  PETTY OFFICER R.N.

Maybe Robert Davis and John Rawlings are one and the same person

1891 census Alverstoke Hampshire: 2 North Street

Robert Davis hd mar 26    2nd class P. O.  R.N   bn Wraxall Somerset
Matilda         wf        26                                     "  Tetbury Gloucs.

Class RG12  Piece 881  Folio 8  Page 9.

claire
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: ..claire.. on Sunday 13 October 13 15:44 BST (UK)
Hi

Have found a Robert Davis with two brothers Charles and Henry in 1871 census all born Wraxall Somerset. Tracing the family back found the family with parents John and Matilda Davis, with Matilda being born Tetbury Gloucestershire  ???

claire
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: ..claire.. on Sunday 13 October 13 15:54 BST (UK)
Even more confusing

John Davis married Matilda UNDERHILL  march Qtr. 1848 Bristol

So, it would seem that this Martha Underhill could be the daughter of William and Maria Underhill, she is aged 15 and shown next door to this family in Tetbury 1841 census

William and Maria's son William went on to marry an Elizabeth and I presume are the parents of your Matilda Underhill who went on to marry John Rawlings.

Matilda Davis nee Underhill may have had a son Robert Davis born Wraxall (have looked through the Wraxall census's and they appear to be the only Davis family there), maybe Robert Davis used the name John Rawlings to marry Matilda, they would have been 1st cousins, not illegal to wed but family may not have approved.

Robert Davis's R.N. Record is available to purchase on the National Archives website

Robert Davis: Official Number: 108533. Place of Birth: Wraxall, Somerset. Date of Birth: 17 March 1864.

claire
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: Lawgirl on Sunday 13 October 13 23:56 BST (UK)
I have the Birth cert for Robert William Davis & it states his father is Robert Davis First Class Petty Officer in the Royal Navy.
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: Lawgirl on Sunday 13 October 13 23:58 BST (UK)
So Matilda's parents ......
Marriages 1Q 1849 

Lambert    Elizabeth         Tetbury    11   509      
Underhill    William         Tetbury    11   50

I believe these are the correct parents
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: Lawgirl on Sunday 13 October 13 23:59 BST (UK)
Marriages Sep 1901   
Davis    James        Edmonton    3a   1004   
Rawlings    Matilda Louisa         Edmonton    3a   1004    

The district Edmonton spans the boundaries of the counties of Essex, Hertfordshire and Middlesex

wrong i think as this is a James davis & not Robert
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: Lawgirl on Monday 14 October 13 00:01 BST (UK)
Marriages Sep 1901   
Davis    James        Edmonton    3a   1004   
Rawlings    Matilda Louisa         Edmonton    3a   1004    

The district Edmonton spans the boundaries of the counties of Essex, Hertfordshire and Middlesex

Wrong Davis it is a Robert & not james
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: Lawgirl on Monday 14 October 13 00:04 BST (UK)
Even more confusing

John Davis married Matilda UNDERHILL  march Qtr. 1848 Bristol

So, it would seem that this Martha Underhill could be the daughter of William and Maria Underhill, she is aged 15 and shown next door to this family in Tetbury 1841 census

William and Maria's son William went on to marry an Elizabeth and I presume are the parents of your Matilda Underhill who went on to marry John Rawlings.

Matilda Davis nee Underhill may have had a son Robert Davis born Wraxall (have looked through the Wraxall census's and they appear to be the only Davis family there), maybe Robert Davis used the name John Rawlings to marry Matilda, they would have been 1st cousins, not illegal to wed but family may not have approved.

Robert Davis's R.N. Record is available to purchase on the National Archives website

Robert Davis: Official Number: 108533. Place of Birth: Wraxall, Somerset. Date of Birth: 17 March 1864.

claire

Cant be mine as Matilda wasn't born until 1864
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: ..claire.. on Monday 14 October 13 00:16 BST (UK)
Hi

Matilda born 1864 her father was William Underhill, it looks like he had a SISTER born 1825 called Matilda, who went on to marry John Davis 1848. These two are the parents of Robert Davis bn 1864 Wraxall, who joined the navy and is the father of Robert William Davis,

What was the name given to R W Davis's mother on the birth cert?

claire
Title: Re: Rawlings Family Search - Still Causing Confusion
Post by: Lawgirl on Monday 14 October 13 01:06 BST (UK)
Hi

Matilda born 1864 her father was William Underhill, it looks like he had a SISTER born 1825 called Matilda, who went on to marry John Davis 1848. These two are the parents of Robert Davis bn 1864 Wraxall, who joined the navy and is the father of Robert William Davis,

What was the name given to R W Davis's mother on the birth cert?

claire

The name is Matilda Davis formerly Underhill
Title: Matilda UNDERHILL b.1864
Post by: Victor Harvey on Friday 18 October 13 18:28 BST (UK)
Hi,
Matilda UNDERHILL, dau of William & Elizabeth b.1864 Tetbury 6a 313 Dec Qtr.
William UNDERHILL m. Elizabeth LAMBERT at St Mary the Virgin, 1849 Tetbury 11 509 Mar Qtr.
Siblings of Matilda UNDERWOOD:-
Maria Jane UNDERHILL, b.1849 Tetbury
Eliza UNDERHILL, b.1852 Tetbury
Albert William UNDERHILL, b.1854 Tetbury
Richard UNDERHILL, b.1856 Tetbury
Caroline UNDERHILL, b.1858 Tetbury
Henry UNDERHILL, b.1862 Tetbury
Edward UNDERHILL, b.1867 Tetbury
The following baptisms are possibly/probably William & Elizabeth's baptisms:-
A William UNDERHILL, son of William & Maria, a Labourer of Tetbury, was bap at St Mary, Tetbury, 29th July 1827.
An Elizabeth LAMBERT, dau of George & May, a Carrier of Cirencester, was bap at St Mary, Tetbury, 27th December 1825.
I can probably find the siblings of William & Elizabeth if you wish?
Victor