Genealogy Chat

Hi Am looking for a Sarah Elizabeth Thomas born 1870 Llangollen, although in the 1901 census she has put her DOB has 1875. I know she had a child in 1904 in Ormskirk and was living in Birkdale. Can not find a marriage for her, have checked the possible entries, father's name does not match. Her child born 1904, Lillie Thomas, can find no obvious marriage for her, she could have been indexed under any variation of that name! As at July 1904 Sarah was unmarried. I have tried Sarah's relatives and their descendants, so far no luck. Sarah was somewhat of a black sheep and did not keep in touch with her family. Where does one look next? Thanks Samantha

I'd guess sarah eventually married,although 'where ' is anyones gues. Lillie probably took her step fathers name ----------------------------------------------------- ''Can not find a marriage for her, have checked the possible entries, father's name does not match. << how many have you checked? What address does she use at the time of the birth?

If she married as Sarah Elizabeth and not just Sarah, then the list is mercifully short. I am working my way through the list. But she was 34 and already not married...so one wonders. There were about 6 Sarah Elizabeth's in Lancashire up to 1912. Have checked all but 2. Address in 1904 was Kew Rd Birkdale Lancs.

...but if she just called herself Sarah.....there are hundreds and hundreds of possibilities If she was a free spirit, she and that child could have gone off anywhere, maybe foun a postition that would take her and her child as well? How have you managed to pin point which one is her in earlier cenus , especially as her age is out in 1901?

My point exactly. :) If the Sarah Elizabeth marriages come up blank then will have to consider nearby Sarah marriages. Yes, the child could be anywhere, she could even by my grandmother who I am trying to match with a missing mother, and who was adopted. In 1901 Sarah E Thomas born c1875 Llangollen, living in Birkdale Lancs, dom serv. In 1904 she was involved in a court case re Lillie and maintenance from the father (named, but denied culpability). Have the court papers, so far no useful information to be gleaned there.

Interesting that he was named (on the birth cert?)

Scarlett No, he was named as the father on the Maintenance court proceedings. Probably hopeless, but you could try voter's rolls after 1927, although as you don't know where she was, it is an enormous task. You could start with her last known address. OC

Father of Lillie definitely not named on birth cert, but he was named in the filiation order. He denied he was the father. As Lillie was born in the Ormskirk Workhouse, Sarah would have been compelled by the Union to sue for maintenance and to name a father. Electoral rolls tricky as women did not get the vote until 1918 and even then it was not compulsory to be registered.