Twins - time on birth certificate

[TracyL]

Hi Valda

Aahhh! Now we have my problem!  It is the Lawrence parents that are my ultimate quarry!  Their earlier child, Arthur Aubrey Lawrence, was my grandfather.  It was when trying to find his parents (and maybe the reason for his adoption) that we stumbled across Muriel.  Bit of a shock as I had no idea of her existence, but it gave me a new lead to follow.  On my grandfather's birth certificate the names are the same (Mercy was formerly Marks), but the birth took place in Erdington and Mother's address was Leamington.  On Muriel's baptism record, Arthur and Mercy's address is simply given as Birmingham.  Can't identify either on the census without more info and have relentlessly pursued all Arthur's and Mercy's in the county (and surrounding) without success.
Where was the Muriel you found?
Regards
Tracy

[Valda]

I think this Lawrence birth is a wild goose chase as Lawrence is too common a surname not to get a coincidence like this.

Births Dec 1902
LAWRENCE  Florence Muriel    Totnes  5b 121

I've looked at the easier of the two names of the parents - Mercy Marks. The barmaid in Kenilworth (nearby to Leamington) is the strongest candidate by far, but there is no means of proving her connection from tracking just her back through the censuses.

1901 census RG13 2936 folio 36
Coventry Cross Hotel Kenilworth  Warwickshire 
Mercy Marks 21  Walsall, Staffordshire, Servant  Barmaid

1891 census RG12 2251 folio 22
134 Wolverhampton Road Walsall Foreign  Staffordshire
William Markes 51 Princes End Head Married Forge Roller
Mary Markes 49 Princes End Wife Married
Daniel Markes 25 Princes End Son Labourer   
William Markes 20 Princes End Son  Labourer
John Markes 19 Princes End Son Labourer   
Selina Markes 17 Princes End Daughter  Machinist Stitcher 
Sarah Markes 15 Princes End Daughter  Machinist
Mary Markes 13 Princes End Daughter 
Mercy Markes 11 Princes End Daughter 
Hannah Markes 8 Walsall Daughter   
Rose Markes 7 Walsall Daughter   
Clara Markes 4 Walsall Daughter
plus 1 lodger   

1881 census RG112823 folio 134
45 Rollingmill St, Walsall Foreign, Staffordshire
William Markes 40  Sedgley, Staffordshire, Head  Married Forge Roller at Iron Works
Mary Markes 39  Sedgley, Staffordshire,  Wife Married
Joseph Markes 18  Sedgley, Staffordshire,  Son NK
Daniel Markes 16  Sedgley, Staffordshire, Son  NK
Cathrine Markes 14  Sedgley, Staffordshire,  Daughter General Servant
Harriet Markes 13  Sedgley, Staffordshire, Daughter 
William Markes 10  Sedgley, Staffordshire, Son 
John Markes 9 Sedgley, Staffordshire,  Son 
Serlenah Marks 6  Sedgley, Staffordshire, Daughter 
Sarrah Marks 5  Sedgley, Staffordshire, Daughter 
Mary Marks 3  Sedgley, Staffordshire,  Daughter 
Muree Marks 1  Sedgley, Staffordshire,  Daughter 

What was the Erdington address for Arthur's birth and what was Arthur senior's occupation? Was the Leamington address similar to the Kenilworth address in 1901 - a pub/hotel? Have you checked both addresses on trade directories?

Regards

Valda


 

[TracyL]

Hi Valda,

I, too, think that Mercy Marks at the Coventry Cross in my no. 1 suspect but despite tracking that family, I have been unable to find a link.  I believe her mother's maiden name was Sandland.  I have found that family in 1861 (HO107/2029 F489 P44), but am struggling to find the right family in other years.

Arthur was born at Laburnum Cottage, Erdington on 8th April 1905 (according to Directories and Electoral Registers this address was owned and occupied by a Maurice Albert Unna at the time)!  She then gave her address as 1 Aylesford Street, Leamington when she registered the birth on 19th May.  Electoral registers show the property was owned (not necessarily occupied) by William Summerton.  On the birth certificate the father was given as Arthur Day Lawrence, accountant.  On Muriel's baptism it was given as Arthur Lawrence, bank clerk, Birmingham.

I have tried to investigate the unusual middle name of Day and find some clues there but to no avail.

I did post queries on the Warwickshire and Staffordshire boards but although people tried to help, we found no concrete information.

When we stumbled across Muriel, I did think that this new information might finally crack it, but not so far!

Banging heads and brick walls spring to mind

Regards
Tracy

[dee-jay]

For what it's worth there is a young Arthur of the LAURENCE variant in 1901 Census at Aston Manor born Birmingham aged 22 'Accountant Clerk'.

[dee-jay]

Did you consider 'Arthur Day' LAWRENCE could have resulted from a misheard 'Arthur J.' ? 

[TracyL]

Hi dee-jay

I have actually got the birth certificate for that one - was convinced it must be him, but traced his family back and still couldn't find the link I needed.  Funnily enough, I started to have another look at him today as one of my other Lawrence suspects was discounted via contact with someone on GenesReunited.  His mother's maiden name was Bamford, but tracing her family didn't get me anywhere - unless of course I am missing something
Regards
Tracy

[TracyL]

The 'J' 'Day' thing did cross my mind when I found an Arthur J - but then I thought I might be clutching at straws.  Have you found one then?

[dee-jay]

Arthur John LAWRANCE variant 1881 with a sister Florance in Birmingham.

[TracyL]

Are you using Ancestry for this as I can't find it on there?