Genealogy Chat

Do I just accept a maiden name on a child's birth certificate ( 1846) or ignore it, when all other evidence points to a completely different name?..... Case history to follow........

Rebecca BROCKHIS is shown on IGI and in parish registers marrying John BENNETT in 1829 in Littlehampton, Sussex. I can find no other mention of that surname anywhere so wondered if it was a misheard name. Rebecca and John stayed in that area and had 6 known children, but only the last 2 after 1837, so I sent for a copy of my ancestor, Ann Elizabeth's birth (Nov. 1846).. where Rebecca is shown as 'late GREEN'. I understand that 'late' usually refers to a previous marriage but that is probably not the case here but is just the wording of that particular Registrar ( we have many certs. where he always records maiden names this way) The next youngest child, Albert Benjamin ( 1843, same Registrar) shows his mother as 'late BROCKHURST'. Searching the PRs showed no deaths or remarriages in this family between the 2 births, so do I accept that the same Rebecca is mother of them both? Gwyn

does the IGI list Ann Elizabeth with the same parents as Albert Bennett

Gwyn from reading your message I wonder if she was born Illigitimate & then her mother married & she took her step-fathers surname, it seems a bit confusing as to whether she was born a Green or a Brockhurst. Georgina.

I was wondering if Rebecca's mother was a Green but not so. She is either a Woods or a Collins. Rebecca Brockhis m John Bennett 26 Apr 1829 St Mary Littlehampton Rebecca Brockhurst Bpt 27 March 1807 Duncton Sussex, parents William Brockhurst & Sarah William Brockhurst m Sarah Woods 10 Nov 1795 Duncton Sussex OR William Brockhurst m Sarah Collins 16 Apr 1817 Duncton Sussex (either couple could be her parents) ============== BUT on 27 Nov 1820 a Rebecca Green married an Edward Mewett at St Mary Littlehampton

Gwyn, John's ages is way out on the 1851 census (if I have the right family)... 1841 census... Jane Bennett abt 1838 Sussex, England Little Hampton Sussex John Bennett abt 1801 Sussex, England Little Hampton Sussex John Bennett abt 1833 Sussex, England Little Hampton Sussex Rebecca Bennett abt 1811 Sussex, England Little Hampton Sussex Thomas Bennett abt 1830 Sussex, England Little Hampton Sussex William Bennett abt 1835 Sussex, England Little Hampton Sussex Civil parish: Little Hampton Hundred: Poling County/Island: Sussex Country: England Source information: HO107/1093/6 Registration district: Worthing Sub-registration district: Little Hampton ED, institution, or vessel: 13 Folio: 36 Page: 29 (click to see others on page) Line number: 5 GSU Number: 474672 1851 census.... Name: John Bennett Age: 30 Estimated birth year: abt 1821 Relation: Head Spouse's name: Rebecca Gender: Male Where born: Littlehampton, Sussex, England Civil parish: Littlehampton County/Island: Sussex Country: England Street address: Occupation: Condition as to marriage: Disability: View image Registration district: Worthing Sub-registration district: Broadwater ED, institution, or vessel: 11b Neighbors: View others on page Household schedule number: 46 Household Members: Name Age Albert B Bennett 8 Ann E Bennett 4 Jane M Bennett 14 John Bennett 30 Rebecca Bennett 44 William H Bennett 16 Georgina.

Thank you for your interest.

In 1851, the family were in Duke Street, Littlehampton and the image shows husband John to be 50, not 30 as transcribed.

I believe Rebecca was Rebecca BROCKHURST, daughter of William and Sarah ( nee WOODS)bapt. in Duncton, Sussex in 1807. ...They had other children baptised there between 1797 and 1816.

When Albert Benjamin BENNETT was registered, his mother Rebecca was the informant ..and made her mark.

When Ann Elizabeth BENNETT was registered, her father John was the informant and made his mark

....... so where does GREEN fit into the story?

Gwyn

Sorry, Shirley, ...I forgot to add that the IGI ( and parish records) list the parents as John BENNETT and Rebecca. Gwyn

Since John made his mark at the registration of Ann, his wife Rebecca may not have been present. When he was asked for the mother's maiden name, would it be possible that he gave his own mother's maiden name?

Ivy Thank you..... That is an interesting thought. One can just imagine the scenario 'Mother's birth name?'and John thinking they meant HIS mother. Certainly something to investigate. Gwyn