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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Buckinghamshire Lookup Requests => Buckinghamshire => England => Buckinghamshire Completed Look ups => Topic started by: ceeson on Friday 10 April 15 14:41 BST (UK)
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Frederick Craft b. Gt Missenden 1874 or 1876. Mother Ruth Wright b.1851. Ruth married John Craft b.1856 in 1880 at Penn Street, Bucks
Trying to find Frederick's Birth registration or Baptism. I wonder why Ruth & John did not marry until 1880 since both partners are listed as single on their marriage certificate?
One of my "brick walls!"
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Are you certain that Frederick was actually born a Craft, and that he didn't just assume his stepfather's name after the marriage? It may be that he was registered under a different name.
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If his mother was single then he is probably under her surname.
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There is Frederick Charles Craft born 11/1/1874 at Gt. Missenden Bucks. Father George and mother Ellen.
Perhaps Frederick was a son of a former marriage and not son of Ruth.
Regards Amber39
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I don't think that can be right as they are both in the 1881 census - one born 1874 with parents George Craft and Helen Craft and the other born 1876 with parents John and Ruth. Both born Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire.
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No I agree George is the wrong father and Ellen/Helen the wrong mother so a previous marriage doesn't apply :)
There are a few Frederick Wright births which is my guess.
What district does Gt Missenden come under? The births I saw were Newport Pagnell when searching Bucks.
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Thank you for such a speedy response!. I have looked for a Frederick WRIGHT without success. Frederick Charles is not the right person. I found him too. I believe the registration district at that time to be Amersham but I could be wrong. The 1881 Census shows Frederick as CRAFT with his mother, Ruth, who is newly married to John Craft. Ruth Wright was an only child of mature parents. Her father was a widower prior to marriage to his second wife, Ruth's mother, who was a spinster of 40+ years. Ruth had step siblings from her father's first marriage but I don't think Frederick would belong to them since they were already living away from home.
The comment about a birth of a Frederick Wright in another area of Buckinghamshire rings a bell about the existence of an unmarried mother & baby home. I'll investigate the dates of its history. I took the Gt. Missenden birth link from the Census records.
Very many thanks to you all for your help . I really am most grateful for any links/ ideas
Cee
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What district does Gt Missenden come under
Amersham
It would make sense for him to be born away from home, especially if her parents considered it a disgrace.
The fact that they didn't marry until well after his birth makes me think that the chances are that John Craft wasn't his biological father, but raised him as his own after the marriage. Ruth was about 25 when he was born, so wouldn't need her father's permission to marry, so there was nothing stopping them if he was the father.
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Hi
Have just been reading other posts of yours. (Craft Darvill/Darvell)
In 1871 RG10 1303 33 P25 [ Chesham ] in case it is relevant . . . . .
There is a RuthW with 'rents Charles+Ann + siblings/cousins/uncle+auntRuth.
2 doors away is Wm+Sarah Wright + dau Selina 18 + grandson FREDERICK DARVILL 2
Ray
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Thanks for reading my request, Ray. Yes, the Darvill/Darvell family do appear in my tree by marriage. Ruth Wright, the mother of Frederick Craft, gives her father's name as DAVID Wright [deceased] on her marriage cert. to John Craft in 1880. I know about Frederick Craft's Army career & his settling,after 1919, in Canada & then New Zealand where he died, but his birth & the name of his father is an absolute mystery. Even though he may not have been baptised I'm sure he would have to be registered in England . Some records show his birth as 1874 & some as 1876 but there is no proof that I can find. He had a chequered life which, again, leads me to believe that John Craft, from a steady farming background, was not his father A mystery I probably will not solve but I don't intend to give up!! Again, many thanks.
Cee
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Some records show his birth as 1874 & some as 1876 but there is no proof that I can find.
I think that confusion comes from the fact that according to the censuses there were two Frederick Crafts born in Great Missenden - the Frederick C Craft 1874, which we have ruled out, and yours in 1876.
His birth should have been registered, but isn't under Craft. That leaves the stong possibility he was registered as Wright and probably away from the area, or less likely in his biological father's name. I very much doubt that John Craft was his father.
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Thank you! We are of the same opinion re Frederick'd birth but proving it is difficult. I am going to try to find the unmarried mother & baby home but an added difficulty is that of his birth,whether 1874 or 1876, falling between 2 Census records
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Did Mother and baby homes exist in the 1870s? Looking at this it was about 1891 http://www.motherandbabyhomes.com/. She was probably just sent to friends or relatives in another town or perhaps a convent.
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There where a number of workhouses in Bucks so that may well be a good place to look. I would also echo the advice on looking at relatives. Certainly i found two illegitimate girls by accident as they appeared as grandchildren on the cencus. Once they where born they where raised by there grandparents while mum stayed in the workhouse.
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Thank you for your help. I've looked at one in Winslow in the period 1774-1776 & am now checking deaths of possibilities & then moving to the 1881 Census for further evidence although Frederick's name was then Craft since his mother married John Craft in 1880. I am assuming that if the child appears in the 1881 Census as Frederick WRIGHT it is not the child I am looking for. Laborious but I'm determined!