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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: UpstairsDown on Tuesday 04 April 17 18:02 BST (UK)
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Hi guys.
Just a quick request for some help and affirmation that I am not going mad.
Does the status of Mary (I think Steer) read as concubine to anyone else? If so is this is just an enumerator completely misunderstanding things or did I miss something in my Victorian history classes?
I'm also trying to make out the status of Mary and her children- I can read the occupation of Richard (mason), but not of any of the others. I think the second half of the line may read "Mary's child" for the offspring, but am not certain.
Any help most gratefully received.
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Looks like concubine to me ;D
I think it also reads Masons daur -Base child against the children
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Isn't Mary's occupation Housekeeper - Strumpet ::)
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Oh dearie me. She did later claim to have married Richard and the children took his surname.
Looks like they "lived in sin".
Thank you very much for the help rosie99
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Housekeeper & Strumpet I think
Wonder if she was related to the enumerator ;D
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Mary - concubine = a woman who cohabits with a man she is not legally married -especially one regarded as socially or sexually subservient
Occupation Housekeeper & Strumpet ( Strumpet often used to describe female prostitute but also used to describe Mistress -as in this case)
all children -Mason's daughter (so child of Richard head of household occ mason) - base child + base born =illegitimate
Suz
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Thank you very much suzard
It's a headache now trying to find the mother's family and any of the baptisms for the children. *facepalm* This line already had its fair share of criminals and illegitimate children.
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Thank you everyone for your help with this. Off to track this branch now!
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OHHH, although she was down as 'Concubine' I thought that most men thought they were important so that was ok :D but.......
I wasn't prepared for 'Strumpet' :o as I thought it said her occ. was Housekeeper & House Sevt ;D but that line is crossed out so what does that mean, she's not a 'Strumpet' ???
Annie
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UD,
Richard is openly admitting the kids are his.
Where were the children born (can't make it out)?
I haven't had an illegitimate English/Irish/Welsh or other birth/baptism (yet) i.e. not sure what would be on the cert?...I only have Scottish illegitimacy.
Would be interested to know?
Annie
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Hi Rosinh,
They were all born in Jacobstow, with Mary coming from Week, St Mary. Mary's daughter Elizabeth went on to have two illegitimate children before marrying my ancestor. I cannot find baptisms under either Ferrett or Steer for any of the four children.
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And I cannot believe someone would have put her occupation down as "strumpet" either.
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but that line is crossed out so what does that mean, she's not a 'Strumpet' ???
Possibly because it wasn't one of the official categories of occupations?
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Thanks Stevie,
Just got that as I was posting!
Elisabeth (as on 1851 spelling) Sheer
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGKJ-MM7
Annie
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Possible older child who may have died.......
Transcription a bit wonky but could fit possibly (if it is an error) ???
Richard Terkeet Sheer
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2N3T-D2P
Annie
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but that line is crossed out so what does that mean, she's not a 'Strumpet' ???
Possibly because it wasn't one of the official categories of occupations?
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Possibly the line through Strumpet would be red on the original paperwork which was just a checking mark not necessarily a crossing out
Suz
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Suzard,
Probably to remind himself to look it up just as I had to do.....
I'd never come across that word 'Strumpet' in my entire life in text.
I had heard it 'used loosely' many moons ago, never gave it a thought as to the meaning so looked it up today.
Isn't genealogy fun, has it's own dictionary too ;D
Annie
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I'm amazed by this, I've never seen anything like it.
I'm sure we've all come across a multitude of interesting terms being used on baptism records for illegitimate children (usually pre-1813)...but on a census? ;D
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In my tree I have one woman described as paramour - a couple of prostitutes - and a few children who are "supposed" daughter or son
It certainly is interesting -especially when your family are very religious !!!!
Suz
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a few children who are "supposed" daughter or son
Suz
;D ;D Now, was that the 'supposed' father's words ???
If it was the mother then that would be a huge problem ::)
Apologies to UD 'OP' (a bit off topic) but funny :D
Annie
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No problem. I am as amused as the rest of you. Not sure I ever thought a mason's cottage could be a den of iniquity!
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Possible older child who may have died.......
Transcription a bit wonky but could fit possibly (if it is an error) ???
Richard Terkeet Sheer
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2N3T-D2P
probably not the mason's family - found this baptism:
Name: Richard Tarkitt Sheer
Gender: Male
Baptism Date: 27 Oct 1842
Baptism Place: Tywardreath,Cornwall,England
Father: John Sheer
Mother: Jane
FHL Film Number: 254172
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Thanks UD ;D
My genealogy thoughts are....
Be prepared for anything, discard/disregard nothing :D
Annie
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Thanks Josey,
At least it eliminates a possible ;)
Annie
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It does indeed. I am currently skipping back through the generations getting basic dates for this branch. Then the fun searches begin- court, prison and transportation records!
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I'm so envious UD as I have nothing 'exciting' in my tree.
As long as you keep your Downside Up ;D
I have one who was convicted of Manslaughter for the death of his own mother!
The mother murdered was my father's 1st cousin (parents were brother & sister)!
My father was still alive when this happened but needless to say, I didn't tell him about it!
Annie
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Some years ago I came across a census of a small village in which several women were listed as concubines. It seemed that the enumerator was outing everyone in the village who was "living in sin".
I wish I could remember which census and village it was. None of the concubines were my relatives but the number listed in one small village could lead one to the conclusion that it was not an uncommon occurrence and would account for those women who mysteriously disappear by living and dying under another name without "benefit of clergy".
Venelow
Canada
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could lead one to the conclusion that it was not an uncommon occurrence and would account for those women who mysteriously disappear by living and dying under another name without "benefit of clergy".
Venelow
;D Liked that, just a pity they didn't give their 'aka' at the same time ::)
Annie
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I did come across a child that described as a "love child" in one of the censuses :)