Genealogy Chat

I have a mystery ancestor who has no trace in the census record, no birth record that I can find, and the only record of any earlier family is a fathers name on his wedding certificate. I do have his age from his marriage certificate, but this of course could be incorrect. He also has a fairly common name. Any suggestions as to how to get back further?

Post a few facts, names, dates, locations and occupations and someone may be able to help . Gwyn

Well, you round up all the men of the same name on earlier census, and then you eliminate them by bringing them forward, and looking for marriages/deaths for them. Do you want to put up a name and some details? OC

His name is William Barber and he was 31 when he married Louisa Watson in 1899, Doncaster. Fathers name is shown as John Barber, occupation, firebeater. He is a real mystery man and he is my father in laws grandfather. The only other clue is that my father in law has the middle name 'Gillett' and doesn't know the origins of it. it was not a family name on his mothers side. This is the big stumbling block in my research.

Mark the name Gillett is quite a common surname in that part of Yorkshire. It is also quite commonly used as a first name - often when there is already that surname back in the family. You need to be aware that it can also be spelt Gillatt, Gillott, and even Jillatt. I have all of those spellings used as first names in my extended family history from the Doncaster/Barnsley area. Anne

Mark If it is not a name known to your family, then it could suggest that he was illegitimate. It was very common to give the father's name to the child as a middle name, and he may have used it as a surname as a child. OC

Found this on 1881 I know the age is wrong but the mother's name is interesting William Barber Age: 8 Estimated birth year: abt 1873 Relation: Son Father's name: John Mother's name: Phoebe Gillatt Gender: Male Where born: Littleport, Cambridgeshire, England Civil parish: Brightside Bierlow County/Island: Yorkshire Country: England Street address: Hall Carr Place 12 Education: Employment status: View image Registration district: Sheffield Sub-registration district: Brightside ED, institution, or vessel: 39 Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age John Barber 29 John Thomas Barber 5 Percy Barber 2 Phoebe Gillatt Barber 31 Rebecca Barber 7 William Barber 8 Betsy Sorby 50 William Sorby 59 Source Citation: Class: RG11; Piece: 4662; Folio: 73; Page: 34; Line: ; GSU roll: 1342127.

On the freebmd site..... Marriages Dec 1871 Barber John,... Ely 3b 1303 Wybrow Phebe Gillett ,... Ely 3b 1303 Wybrow Phoebe Gillett,... Ely 3b 1303 Gwyn

1851 Census William Wibrow is the head.... Ann is his mother-in-law Name: Phoebe Wibrow Age: 1 Estimated birth year: abt 1850 Relation: Daughter Father's name: William Mother's name: Maryann Gender: Female Where born: Littleport, Cambridgeshire, England Civil parish: Littleport County/Island: Cambridgeshire Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: Disability: View image Registration district: Ely Sub-registration district: Haddenham ED, institution, or vessel: 2a Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 13 Household Members: Name Age William Gifford 27 Ann Gillett 78 Maryann Wibrow 39 Phoebe Wibrow 1 William Wibrow 37 .....and this on freebmd Marriages Dec 1840 Brown Thomas Ely 14 131 CRABB John Ely 14 131 FARRANT Richard Ely 14 131 >>>GILLETT Mary Ann.... Ely 14 131 IVIT Rebecca Ely 14 131 SAVAGE Frances Ely 14 131 VENY Ann Ely 14 131 >>>Wybrow William.... Ely 14 131 Gwyn