Genealogy Chat

I've been trying to find out about my gr grandmother but as far as records go, she never existed. Her name is Amy Elsmore, and from her death certificate I calculate her birth as 1870 in Birmingham. This is confirmed on the 1901 census where she appears as married to George Sedgwick and still living in Birmingham. The strange thing is I cannot find her birth or a marriage for them. Even more strange his mother's maiden name was Elsmore and he has a sister called Amy also born in 1870. It's all very strange. Can anyone make any suggestion was to where I go now.

Pam

It is possible that the birth was never registered, it wasn't compulsary until 1875. I 'll see what I can find about a marriage...

Sam x

1901 census for reference purposes...

Name: George Sedgwick
Age: 39
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1862
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Amy
Gender: Male
Where born: Wednesbury, Staffordshire, England

Civil Parish: Birmingham
Ecclesiastical parish: St Saviour
County/Island: Warwickshire
Country: England

Street address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Education:

Employment status: View Image

Registration district: Birmingham
Sub registration district: St George
ED, institution, or vessel: 2
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 207
Household Members: Name Age
Amy Sedgwick 31
Beatrice Sedgwick 6
George Sedgwick 39

If you can't find her marriage reg'n.....or her birth..........your info about her surname must be taken from a child's birth cert....is that correct?

Yes, Sam that is them on the 1901 census. Beatrice was my grandmother. I'm convinced they could be brother and sister bringing up her child. There was no other children born to them.

Hi Reggie

Yes that right I do have Beatrice's birth certificate and mother's maiden name given as Elsmore.

I'm confused - why would George's sister be an Elsmore if he is a Sedgwick and she was born after him? Ignore me, I've just worked out why she may use Elsmore - to hide the fact that she is living with her brother!!!

It's certainly very strange. I can't find any reference to Amy Elsmore on a census or BMD but I can find Amy Sedgwick on all of them. You may well be correct in your theory but I don;t know how you would ever be able to prove it.

Sam x

perhaps amy was short for something else
or maybe her middle name .
also their marrage my not have bean in england ,he could have bean in the army in a different country.
Rosex

There is no census entry for Amy Elsmore born c1870.........

There is, however, this young woman in 1891

Amy Sedgwick abt 1871 Birmingham, Warwickshire, England Boarder Aston, Warwickshire

There is no sign of her in 1901 (apart from the one with George)........nor is there a marriage reg'n between 1891 and 1901.............or a death

I think you may have to think the 'unthinkable'...................not as unusual as one might imagine................

Hi Sam

No it's George's mother whose maiden name was Elsmore. Sorry for confusion. Amy Sedgwick was his sister, but he married an Amy Elsmore.

Rose

He came out of the army in 1891. He was a career soldier. He was unmarried when he left the forces. I have his army record.

Reggie

That Amy Sedgwick is hi sister.

I know that, Pamela...............

this is all very confusing
Rosex

Sorry Reggie thanks for your help.

Pam, I realise that Georges mother's maiden name was Elsmore but you said that Beatrice's birth cert gives her MMN as Elsmore also, meaning that Amy must have been an Elsmore before she 'married' George Sedgwick.

I think that Amy Sedwick (the sister) and Amy Elsmore (the 'wife')are one and the same person and that she used her MMN as her surname to disguise the fact that she and George were related.

It been puzzling me for about 5 years now. It's a shame really because it means I can't go any further with that branch of the family.

Thanks for your help Rose.

Hi Sam

That's right I think Amy the sister and Amy the wife are the same. Their birth dates are similar and both born in Birmingham. I know its confusing but George's mother Betsy's maiden name was Elsmore, she married George Sedgwick she then became Betsy Sedgwick on marriage. The had lots of children, George being the eldest born in 1861 and Amy being the youngest born in 1870.

its so frustrating when you cant go back any further, the same thing as happened to me
my brick wall just gets bigger lol
Good luck
Rosex