Genealogy Chat

See below

I have received a marriage certificate for Mary Maria Hallam,age 23, dated 26th December 1891. Where her fathers name should there is a line across. One of the witnesses is a Thomas Hallam. I have found Mary on the 1871 census born about 1869 as the granddaughter of Thomas Hallam. Her place of birth Carlton, Nottinghamshire. I have also found Mary on the 1881 and 1891 censuses listed as the daughter of Thomas Hallam. But - I can't find her birth listed as Mary Maria Hallam on Ancestry BMD. There do not appear to be any younger siblings, and the older siblings look a bit too young to be her parents (born 1858 and 1863). So where do I go now to find her parents? Thanks Barbara

1871 census John George Hallam abt 1858 Carlton, Nottinghamshire, England Son Carlton Nottinghamshire Mary Hallam abt 1843 Carlton, Nottinghamshire, England Wife Carlton Nottinghamshire Mary Maria Hallam abt 1869 Carlton, Nottinghamshire, England Granddaughter Carlton Nottinghamshire Rebecca Julia Hallam abt 1863 Carlton, Nottinghamshire, England Daughter Carlton Nottinghamshire Thomas Hallam abt 1829 Sutton, Nottinghamshire, England Head Carlton Nottinghamshire There is a big age difference here between Thomas (head) and wife Mary - and I would suspect that she is his second wife. Have you traced Thomas back to see if he had other children who could have produced Mary Maria?

Sounds to me that she was illegitimate, and brought up be her grandfather. Can't figure why you can't find a birth though. Strange one. Good luck anyway. PP xx

Well, for one thing, you are very unlikely to find her father, as, with no name on the cert, it means that she didn't know who he was. Her birth may simply not have been registered.........it wasn't compulsory until 1875, and if she was illegitimate, as seems likely, even more reason for not registering. Reg

1861 for Thomas John G Hallam abt 1858 Carlton, Nottinghamshire, England Son Carlton Nottinghamshire Mary Hallam abt 1833 Carlton, Nottinghamshire, England Wife Carlton Nottinghamshire Sarah Ann Hallam abt 1853 Carlton, Nottinghamshire, England Daughter Carlton Nottinghamshire Thomas Hallam abt 1829 Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, England Head Carlton Nottinghamshire - different wife - or just a different year of birth !!

Thanks for the quick responses. That is the right family posted by Elaine. for both 1871 and 1861. I've traced back on Thomas Hallam, and there is a John G Hallam with him in 1861 born abt 1858 in Carlton, Notts. The only other child listed in the censuses with this family is a granddaughter of Thomas aged 10 in 1891 (Rebecca) In 1851 Thomas Hallam is unmarried living with a group of framework knitters in Nottingham. Barbara

Possibles? This first one gives no indication of gender. * * Hallam 1870 Jan-Feb-Mar Nottingham Nottinghamshire Mary Hallam 1870 Oct-Nov-Dec Nottingham Nottinghamshire Mary Chapman Hallam 1870 Apr-May-Jun Newark Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire Mary Ellen Hallam 1870 Jan-Feb-Mar Nottingham Nottinghamshire Victoria

Reggie I'd come to the conclusion I wouldn't find the father - but the mother would be nice! Barbara

Sarah looks the likeliest candidate for Mary's mother....... Reg

Thanks for those Victoria If I did buy all the possible certs (ouch - expensive) how would I know which one was the right one? Barbara

Reggie I see what you mean. Sarah at 16 would definitely have been old enough to have a child. I must admit I'd missed her when I looked at the census. As usual - thank you Barbara

HALLAM, Mary Maria Basford 7b 165 I think. Regards, Glen.

Glen Thanks. That looks like the right one - its at least in the correct registration district. Now why didn't I see her? Can I ask what year and quarter though - if you still have the info? Barbara

Sorry, having a senior moment. OND 1868 Glen.

Thank you. Senior moments come to us all. Thats one for the next batch of certs then. Barbara

Christenings on IGI for Rebecca J Hallam 1863 and Mary M 1869 Both in Carlton, Nottm - both have parents Thomas + Mary Hallam? Dea x

Sorry - didn't check back on the booards last night. Dea - were those records on the IGI extracted or submitted? I'm fairly sure Rebecca J was the daughter of Thomas and Mary,but I'm not convinced about Maria. Would the grandparents - who were bringing Mary Maria up - have had her baptised as their own child to avoid embarrasment? My thanks to all who have helped with this one. Barbara