Genealogy Chat

Hi all- I'm looking for details on my grandfather. Difficulty is - no father, no trace of mother apart from the birth cert. More details below

My grandfather has no father listed. Baby's name is given as Henry Mahoney. Mother -Annie Steedman , no 'former' or maiden name. registered by Ada Balcombe, the 'occupier' of the address where the birth took place. Henry used the name Steedman all his life, altho' I believe his mother went on to marry and have further children (or stepchildren). I don't seem to find a marriage for Annie Steedman at all. Nor can i find her on 1901 (quite a gap between this and birth in 1913 anyway). I looked into Ada Balcombe, there is one in 1901 with a sister Annie.......??? Can't see an Annie Balcombe turning into Steedman though. I know Annie may have used a false name because her child was illegitemate. My plea for advice is - is there any way to find more about the mother in this situation or do i have to wait for the 1911 census?

When and where was he born?

Hi, Henry was born 18th April 1913, at 4 Regent Square, St Pancras i have never looked for a baptism record- would this have more detail??

Actually 1 more clu on birth cert- the mother is listed as 'a shop assistant of 54 Goswell road, Finsbury' Any ideas how i could find out if this was her home or the shop? If the shop, it would nice to find a co-worker/owner with the 'mystery' name of Mahoney she gave her son!

Hi PDH , I,m no expert but if you look at my post on here the real experts have helped. Are you sure your grandfather was registered as Henry Mahoney or Henry Mahoney Steedman ? Could Mahoney have been his middle name? Hope this may help.

You could try Electrol Rolls, these recorded who was at a certain address and eligible to vote. You'll need to get in touch with the local library, they shold be willing to look then up for you if you give them some years and address's. Annie probably wouldnt be listed but any males living at the address would be, they may be of some relation. Who did Annie marry? Finding that marriage will enable you to get her fathers name. You just have to hope Steedman was her real surname and not a made up one or you'd be looking for a needle in a hay stack, unless you knew the grooms name. Mhairi

Going to ask a really stupid question here but...is Finsbury in London? or the near area? I'm okish with anything in the North but once i get south of the border i dont have a clue where anywhere is... Mhairi

Checking the image for Henry's birth he is down as Henry M Steedman which is what would be usual. The address given for Annie would be where she lived. Finding Ada Balcombe is impossible as there is no age to go on and she could have married after 1901.

Ok so i think it was in London (someone correct me if i'm wrong) The Charterhouse Hotel was at 54 Goswell road, Finsbury http://essexpub.net/LondonPubs/StLuke/CharterhouseHotel.shtml Mhairi

Finsbury is in North London, known now as Finsbury Park.