Birth/Baptism look-up please

[Colin Bull]

My Great Grandfather was George Richard Bull, I have a date of birth for him of 5th Jan 1847, this is from an LDS record but I am unable to identify a GRO index reference, later census records do confirm this year of birth. His parents were Lovell Bull and Ann Sherwood, they were from Eling near Southampton and they moved to Portsmouth prior to the birth of George. The birth of their next son, born in 1849 was registered at Portsea Island.

My problem is that I cannot identify a GRO index to source a birth certificate nor can I find a PR of a Christening. All help is great fully accepted. Regards, Colin

[Jebber]

I am afraid you may never find a birth registration. Birth registration did not become compulsory until 1875, many went unregistered in the early days of civil registration,  it is not unusual.


Jebber

[Little Nell]

Lovell Bull and Ann Sherwood married in Romsey in 1822.  It would be a remarkable feat for Ann to still be having children in 1847 - she would have been 48.  While this is not impossible, it is not as possible as in this day and age.

Lovell and Ann had a number of children between 1822 and 1841 baptised in Romsey, Eling and one in Fareham.  I have found Augustus birth registration in 1849 in Portsea, an Edwin in 1844, but on the Isle of Wight whereas the 1851 census says Eling, (rule that one out, since the mother's ms was Gladdiss).

Nell

[Colin Bull]

Hi Little Nell

You are quite right it does appear that Ann Sherwood continued to bare children until she was almost 50, husband Lovell was a shipwright hence the living at Eling and Portsmouth and susequently the east end of London where he apparently worked on Brunel's ship the Great Eastern. I have birth registrations for all of their children except George Richard, it is possible that he wasn't registered or maybe it was at the point in time when they moved fron Eling and therefore he got missed or indeed he was registered under another name (fathers choice) but became known by mothers choice?!

In later times he was alway's referred to as George Richard and gives his place of birth as Portsmouth but search as I might I cannot find a likely George or Richard Bull registration.

Regard

Colin