Genealogy Chat

Thanks for that. mark

I have to say that from looking at the censuses for 1841 and 1851 - the fact he is living with his grandparents and Sarah and David being his grandparents children - it is entirely possible he was illegitimate and the son of Sarah. I notice there was another child in 1841 called William born around 1837 - he may have died in 1846. Considering around that time it wasn't a legal requirement to register a birth - so owing to the possibility he may have been illegitimate would also give the mother a good reason not to register his birth. It would be worth seeing if you can locate the parish register for that area to see if he was christened - as well as William, to see if they are sons of Sarah. There may also be bastardy bonds which may give details of who the father was. Always worth a look - but yes - do bear in mind that illegitimate children often gave made up names for fathers - so he may put something like John Norris (deceased) Labourer or something like that. And having said that - I looked for him in 1861 and found him - this might help a lot! 1861 England Census about Lake Norris Name: Lake Norris (should be Luke) Age: 21 Estimated birth year: abt 1840 Relation: Son Mother's name: Sarah Gender: Male Where born: Watford, Hertfordshire, England Civil parish: Watford Town: Watford County/Island: Hertfordshire Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: View image Registration district: Watford Sub-registration district: Watford ED, institution, or vessel: 2f Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 11 Household Members: Name Age David Norris 42 - brother Ag Lab Lake Norris 21 Ag Lab Sarah Norris 45 (unmarried) she is down as 'Deaf' William Norris 6 (visitor) Source Citation: Class: RG9; Piece: 833; Folio: 24; Page: 2; GSU roll: 542708. By 1871 she is still living with her brother David and she has a nephew Luke aged 10 living with her. Sarah is a Charwoman - and it looks like it says Deaf 2 Years in the disabilty column. In 1881 she is still a Charwoman on her own. Her brother David died in 1872 aged 53. In 1891 she is with her son Luke and his family! She is down as being single and a retired Charwoman and again down as Deaf. There is a possible death for her in 1897 aged 81.

Hi, Thanks for that. The father never appears on the census and although i know the birth date of my relative Luke Norris 19.5.1839. in watford herts. I cant find the father.I also cant find the references needed to order his birth cert. Thanks Mark

Mark, before you spend your £7,. do you want to put the details on here so people can offer further advice on this? Why have you found it hard to trace the dad - is the child not on any census with them? As Reggie says, if they are illegitimate you still may not find out the dad - or they may just make up a name. You will need the GRO ref for any certificates you order - do you have that?

Of course, if the child was illegitimate, you won't have much chance of the father's name being on the cert..........just a thought to bear in mind...... Reg

You are a star. I have found it difficult to find out who the father was of someone on my tree. I will order one now. Thanks once again. Mark

Hello, Could anyone tell me what information would be on a marriage cert from 1864. Thanks Mark

As per norm: Couples full names, ages (or of full age), their place of residence at time of marriage, their occupations, plus both fathers names and occupations, the witnesses names Brilliant stuff, gets you back another generation hopefully. £7 from GRO online.