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Census Lookups General Lookups => Census and Resource Discussion => Topic started by: RosieJ on Monday 11 April 22 21:34 BST (UK)

Title: 1921 census brick wall
Post by: RosieJ on Monday 11 April 22 21:34 BST (UK)
I've been looking for my grandmother, Dorothy Joan Shambrook, on the 1921 census with no success. She was born on 1 July 1919 to Mabel Ann Shambrook from Hereford. (Mabel was unmarried and no father was named on Dorothy's birth certificate). We know she was in the Hackney Union workhouse infirmary as a baby - she is on the settlement register dated 23 Oct 1919 and ceased to be chargeable 20 Jan 1920 (not sure why she ceased to be chargeable?). She was later fostered then adopted.

I've tried different variables and wildcard entries but to no avail, and have even done an institution search for the Hackney Union. I'm not 100% sure she was still in Hackney by 1921 but she's not showing upon a wider search either.

I'm out of ideas so am seeking some advice please...any search tips or advice gratefully received!!
Title: Re: 1921 census brick wall
Post by: Jebber on Monday 11 April 22 21:47 BST (UK)
I presume you mean Ethel Maud was unmarried, otherwise who is Mabel?

Do you know who fostered and/or adopted Dorothy and have you looked under their name?
Title: Re: 1921 census brick wall
Post by: RosieJ on Monday 11 April 22 21:53 BST (UK)
Oh crikey, sorry- its been a very long day! I even proof read before I posted  :-[ Scrap the name Ethel Maud, that was her aunt. Dorothy's mother was Mabel Ann.

I have found her on the 1921, as a servant in Hackney, but Dorothy isn't with her.
Title: Re: 1921 census brick wall
Post by: RosieJ on Monday 11 April 22 21:54 BST (UK)
The only name we have of her guardians is Hilda Legg but no joy with her either.
Title: Re: 1921 census brick wall
Post by: heywood on Monday 11 April 22 22:02 BST (UK)
Did Dorothy keep her own name?
Title: Re: 1921 census brick wall
Post by: RosieJ on Monday 11 April 22 22:10 BST (UK)
Yes, she kept her full name. I'm not sure how official her adoption was as it was pre-Adoption Act.
Title: Re: 1921 census brick wall
Post by: Jebber on Monday 11 April 22 22:17 BST (UK)
Although she kept her own name she may been recorded under the name of whoever she was living at the time of the census, it does happen.
Title: Re: 1921 census brick wall
Post by: Jebber on Monday 11 April 22 22:37 BST (UK)
There are six Dorothys who were both in Hackney in 1819, obviously under different Surnames. Three in Hackney, two in Shoreditch and one in Surrey.

You would have to purchase each transcript or image to see if there was any clue as to if it was your Dorothy.
Title: Re: 1921 census brick wall
Post by: heywood on Monday 11 April 22 22:55 BST (UK)
You could check the people in the household though in 1921 and then see if there are corresponding births.
I tried that with one Dorothy Joan but found a birth.
Title: Re: 1921 census brick wall
Post by: RosieJ on Wednesday 13 April 22 14:00 BST (UK)
I've managed to find some more information out that will help answer/eliminate a few possiblities. I visited my mum and we had a look through her stash of family paperwork and letters. We established that Dorothy had 2 main guardians in her childhood - Mrs Soper (and her daughter Cissy) and Hilda Legg.

From information within in the paperwork, I have managed to find their full names and found them in various records including on the 1921 - but Dorothy was not with any of them!
Title: Re: 1921 census brick wall
Post by: jonwarrn on Wednesday 13 April 22 15:32 BST (UK)
Don't forget that her birth was registered in Marylebone
Sep 1919 Marylebone 1a 644
Shambrook, Dorothy Joan
Mother's Maiden Surname:

Queen Charlotte's Hospital? :-\
Title: Re: 1921 census brick wall
Post by: jonwarrn on Wednesday 13 April 22 21:26 BST (UK)
Queen Charlotte's Hospital? :-\

You could be right, John

Hi - my grandmother Dorothy Joan Shambrook was born illegitimately in Queen Charlotte's Lying-In Hospital on 1.7.1919, to Mabel Ann Shambrook (b. 1895, Hereford).