Genealogy Chat

I understand that Polly derives from Mary - Molly-Polly, sort of rhyming slang. My Polly was really Mary Emma but decided to marry as Emma Mary. Didnt help that my Dad remembered in the middle of this hunt that he thought she was really Mary Ellen! Marjorie

I am sure they did it just to be difficult!! I have a George Frederick who was George on one census and Frederick on the next. I thought they were different people and that George had died. I didn't find out that they were the same person until I found his name on the village war memorial.

Read all of these with interest, my aunt was registered Mary Anne Elizabeth but was always called Polly, it was only when I found a memorial card among my parents papers that I found her 'real' name, but can anyone explain how it comes to be 'Polly' - Grace

Marilyn, If it's not legal there are a lot of 'base ' children about LOL I have: Two sets of twins, from different generations, both registered as Elizabeth and Martha, both sets known as........ Kate and Ada!! Also: Gifford - Sidney His wife Mary Annie - Annie or Mary Alice - Nell Agnes - Amelia Charles - Bill William - Bob Philip - Bob (the last two having the surname Tanner) Gordon - Denzil George - Stan Ivan - Frederick Richard - Dirty (don't ask LOL) Thomas - Charlie They are just te ones I can remember off the top of my head. It seems to be a family trait - unfortunaltely it's ALL families!! maggie

Hi everyone I have a grandmother who for some reason married under the name of Margaretta Ellen when her name was Martha Agnus that if they really are the same person but my question is - would the marriage be legal if for some reason another name was used. Marilyn.

Ness, I can sypethise with you. I have a Madona in 1871, doesn't die or marry. Replaced in all other census and records by Phylis? I am at the moment trying to figure out if they are deffinatley the same person. Pat

Nell! I think my moan is nothing compared to what you are entitled too.....LOL Chris

Kazzie I only hope they are all 'up there' having a good laugh at our expense!! I don't mind 'cause I am sure (eventually) each and every one of them (up threre) will let each and every one of us (down here) know where they are hiding!!! lol Chris

Yes. I've found that an Annie in my tree was Annie all the time apart from when she married when she decided to become Elizabeth Annie for the marriage certificate. Then she went back to being Annie. On my dad's side of the family I have Walter Randel Gray known as Randel, a Robert who was really Lemuel, two John Williams in the same family. My dad's own brothers were Jabez John Thomas always called Jim Jeuel George always called George Harry Samuel (called Sam by everyone except his wife, who called him Harry. Their first son was called Egon Harry and was known as Egon until he applied for his passport and decided he wanted to be called Harry] and my dad? He was William Frederick Randall Gray known as Buster or Bill! nell

Yes it is really annoying always knew gr grandmother as Amelia found her death no problem but couldnt find a marriage or birth for her turns out she was born Millie married Milly and died Amelia,they certainly liked to make things awkward didnt they?

Tammy The one and only! lol Chris

Granpa and Christine Welcome to the club..LOL Tammy I have an Uncle Tam (related) in the UK and I know a Tammy (female) in America. So don't believe Tammy will be any easier than the rest of them...LOL :) Chris

I spent ages looking for Jadey, son, it was not until I found someone who was researching the same name (on this site) that I found out that Jadey was female and her name was Jane Laura. I was given her married details. A lot of info came from the 1881 census and I still have three siblings whose gender I cannot determine. This family sure made things difficult. Christine

I have a Thomas William who was sometimes William Thomas, and to cap that his surname changed from Wetherald to Wetherall to Weatherall

Peter, Ness and Karen I'm not alone then...LOL! Chris

I spent ages looking for my fathers eldest sister. The family always called her Dolly. Looked for Dorothy, Doris etc, turns out her name was Frances Hannah Lilian. Also have Mary Ann as Polly. Grrrrrrrrr headaches lol Karen : )

Matthew Tanner merrily appeared on all cenuses up to 1861 then disappeared for forty years until turning up on a death certificate in 1904. George Tanner suddenly appeared in 1871 and then through each census to 1901 same age, occupation, place of birth as Matthew. No birth or death for a George so he has to be Matthew...but WHY?!

I have a John, who became Thomas, then John Thomas, then back to John. What's more, he did the same with his first child! Do you think they knew we would be doing this 150 years later?

Tammy I am beginning to think my lot (on all sides) do it because of (a),(b) & (c) and also, not forgetting, being Bl**dy Awkward! LOL Thanks Chris

I had my GGGrandfather on 1871 to 1901, with his first wife Elizabeth on 1871 and his second Mary Ann from the 1881. Ok, I admit, I was a ‘little’ cross with him on the 1871 when he named his two daughters Mary and Mary Ann and then proceeded to marry another Mary Ann by the 1881. The same names in a family tends to turn my brain to mush when I research. I finally sorted out the children…..4 to Elizabeth and 4 to Mary Ann. As my direct line is from Elizabeth I sent for their marriage certificate just giving GGGrandad as the reference…..And I can’t believe it but ELIZABETH IS MARY ANN!!!! They married in 1863 and I have no doubts that it is the right couple. GGGrandad’s occupation is very distinctive as is his father’s name and occupation also the witnesses are family members of whom I was aware. No wonder I couldn’t find Elizabeth’s death on 1837 between 1871 and 1881…. She never existed! I suppose I will never know the true answer but any suggestions as to why a Mary Ann would be an Elizabeth on the 1871? Thanks Chris