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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Anneqq on Sunday 27 October 13 00:31 BST (UK)
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Hi
A couple of years ago a can across a website called the Census Detective, who would look up census details for you -FOC- he (she, they) where a great help to me when I had hit a brick wall, but I can no longer find any reference to the site or the face behind it, can anyone help?
Anne
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Why not put your problem on here? We can help with all census years except 1911.
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I did, but CD helped fill a gap, which no one on here did.
I now have my G Mothers birth certificate, I know she was "adopted", but cannot clearly identify her mother before or after the birth.
I was hoping to got back to CD for a set of eyes.
Anne
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Looks like this might be your 'brickwall' but not sure how you think Census Detective will solve it without more information-
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=511017.msg3672206#msg3672206
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JUdging from your previous posts, you are looking for a Margaret Bell, Domestic Servant, who was the mother of an illegitimate daughter in 1900?
This might fit?
1901 census: Class: RG13; Piece: 4885; Folio: 166; Page: 5.
16 Concrete Cottages, Barepot, Workington
Bell, William Head M 50 Ag Lab b Seaton, Cumberland
Bell, Frances Wife F 53 b Dearham, Cumberland
Bell, John Son M 26 Steel Worker b Dearham
Bell, Henry Son M 22 Boiler Smith's Labourer b Workington
Bell, Thomas Son M 17 Collier - Hewer b Workington
Bell, Hannah Daughter F 20 Laundry Maid b Workington
Bell, Margt Daughter F 18 Domestic Servant b Workington
Bell, Fanny Daughter F 15 Laundry Worker b Workington
Bell, William Grandson M 4 b Workington
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Thanks KGARRAD
I have followed this line too (the closest match I could find) but with finding matches on other trees for Margaret,she married a Gordon Murray exactly 1 yr later, I asked the question about the possilbility of an illegitimate child, but I was told it was unlikely. I really need somone to say its defiantly her. (I have added the family to my tree on Ancestry)
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Hi
It is not going to be easy for anyone to identify the correct Margaret Bell without more information. From what you say your grandmothers birth certificate only has Margarets address, 18 South Marsh St, and occupation, it doesn't indicate how long Margaret was living there. She could have been living there when she fell pregnant or she could have moved there in the later stages of pregancy. Many young women were sent away to give birth which means that Margaret could have been from anywhere and not necessarily Workington.
Do you have a copy of your grandmothers marriage certificate? If so, who does it name as her father? Occasionally an illigitimate child will name their biological or reputed father on their marriage certificate.
A check of the Electoral Roll for 18 South Marsh St from say 1899 to 1902 may be useful. The rolls are probably at a local archive in Cumberland. You would also need to confirm that the person was actually living there. There should be a code that says how they were eligible to be on the roll.
It is also worth canvassing relatives and close family friends of your grandmother as they may know something. Also, any contacts in the Brown family, they may have some knowledge.
Andy
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I asked the question about the possilbility of an illegitimate child, but I was told it was unlikely.
???
If there is no father named on the birth certificate, then I would say she is almost certainly illegitimate! ;D
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Thanks Andy and KGarrad
I w
Love a mystry as much as the next person, believe me, I can hunt most stuff down. But this is becoming my nemesis.
My G mother & G Father got together while he was still married, and they didn't marry until I was 4 yrs old, when his 1st wife died.
I check the census for South Marsh Street (as my G Mother was born 1900) but there is no sign of birth mother or family there. I cannot look at electrol roll as Cumbria is just that too far for a day trip.
I have also draw a blank with family,the information I got from my mother was certainly off the mark, as I think they tried to cover up they weren't married and my G Mother may never have know she was adopted. Her father other marriage licence shows John Brown, occupation Farmer.
Help!
Anne
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I check the census for South Marsh Street (as my G Mother was born 1900) but there is no sign of birth mother or family there. I cannot look at electrol roll as Cumbria is just that too far for a day trip.
Anne
You haven't completed your profile to give us a rough idea of where you live(even a country might help!) so we didn't know if you are near enough to Cumbria to look at the records yourself.
If not you could always email the local library or record office and ask how much they'd charge for a quick electoral roll look up. If they have the exact address and dates it may only take them a short while and some places charge per 15 minute block.
You may be lucky enough that they'll do the first one for free.
No harm asking!!!