Genealogy Chat

Just received a birth cert this morning but its the wrong one. I took a chance on my great grandfather being born in Burton vol.6b as I was not sure exactly where in the Midlands he was born, he lived in West Bromwich which is also vol 6b, thought it all added up as this seemed the only Harry I could find near age etc., (on 1837 online). My Harry's fathers name was William, but this Harry's father is Isaac. I am now checking back again on the info I have and wonder would his real name be Henry and not Harry as I have a listing for a Henry on 1881 and he was 7months old, although the House number is different its the same street that my Harry lived on,when he married. Just trying to figure out would he have prefered Henry to Harry? and because he was known as this he called himself that on the marriage cert? I'm Patricia on my birth cert but I prefer Pat and am known by that name by nearly everyone, I would have Pat on my marriage cert but I had to show my birth cert so did not get away with it. I believe they didnt show birth certs in the old days this being 1902. There are lots Johns and Jacks in my Irish family turns out most were Johns on the birth Certs but became Jacks somewhere down the line. Could Harry & Henry be similar to this? Does this make any sense? This side of my family are driving me mad I cannot get back further then their marriage cert. Any suggestions gratefully received, before I waste more money on the wrong Certs. Pat

Hi, Harry is a nickname for Henry - like Prince Harry who was christened Henry. Gwynne

I've got one - baptised and registered as Henry - appears in 1891 and 1901 as Harry Sue

Gwynneth, I wish I had asked this question before I started to believe I was clutching at straws, yet somewhere in a distant memory I thought Harry and Henry had some connection. Many thanks Sue Where did you get the info on Baptisim? would love to check that out. Many thanks, and sorry for the long winded post. Pat x

While some called Henry may have call themselves Harry. It is a name in itself derived from Harold Bob

I had 2 great grandparents known as Harry but their name is in fact Henry. also my nan had 2 brothers Henry & Harold. Only Henry was known as Harry, which i've always found odd Stew

My Gt grandfather was harry Riggs on his birth certificate and on the 1881, on the 1871, his marriage and death certs he is Henry. Ann Glos

My dad was Henry James Tom, sometimes known as Henry, Harry and a lot of the time Joe, don't ask about the Joe bit please. Irene

Thanks for all that input. Just back from checking 1837online for some of the pages I had not got and can't find a Henry now. I hope I am not going mad. The 1881 Census from (Family History On Line)has Henry 7months down as Son Mother is 52? father 58. No.51 Paliament Street West Brom 1891 Census has Mother Head 63 Harry 10 No.51 Parliament Street West Brom 1901 Harry (nephew) seems to have moved in with his sister and her husband No.49 Palriament St the same address he marries from in 1902. I thought 52 years old for the mother and 58 yeards for the father seems too old, I wondered was Henry/Harry one of the daughters babies. There were 3 listed from 14, 17 and 20 years of age. On Harry's marriage cert William (deceased) is down for fathers name, I really want his birth cert to find his mothers name. Any idea what to do now Please? Pat x

Pat - My Henry was a Lowther, his baptism came from Parish Records courtesy of a fellow researcher. This family have caused me no end of headaches, with their 8 (so far) Mary Anns and their love of 'pet' names, I suppose they had to in order to tell one from the other. Don't get me sarted on the John /James/Jack one... Also I'm about to reply to the Helen/Ellen post

Harry is diminutive of Henry. Jack is a diminutive of John. Simple!

Andy, just to add to the fun, I have some Jacks who were born James!!

I would think that 52 was old for the mother and your guess about being a grandson more likely. especially as he moved in with his sister eventually. Was William the father's name in the 1881 as well. He may well have been brought up as their son or they were just too embarrassed to admit to the enumerator that a daughter had an illigitimate son. I have one family where my Gt Gt Grandparents on the 1881 have a daughter as a baby, but she turned out (when I sent for her birth cert) to be the daughter of their eldest daughter, my Gt Grandmother. Ann glos

Ann, This is the STRANGEST thing about this family. The original Head of House in 1881 was WILLIAM (occupation fitter) which is the name given as father on Harry/Henry's Marriage cert. 1891 Matilda (63years) is a Widow and there is another WILLIAM HOLDEN (occupation Labourer) 54 years old boarding with them. The occupation given for Harry/Henry father on marriage cert is labourer, not fitter??? Am I reading to much into this amazing coincidence. I think its really perculiar. I am going to try and check the other children out and see what I can find out. Pat

Pat, don't read too much into that (your last posting) - My rellies changed occupation with every census and Certificate, and Henry was a common name back then. Carole

Carole, I understand the occupations changed a lot Harry/Henry on his marriage Cert is a labourer, on his first sons birth cert is a glass pusher 2 years later he is a fitter. About 20 years later on his sons wedding cert he is a timekeeper!!! Its the coincidence that WILLIAM Holden is head of the House in 1881, Matilda the wife. 1891 Matilda Widow (head of house) has a lodger there called WILLIAM HOLDEN, I think its an incredible coincidence. Pat

Just to add a bit more to the fun, my Robert Tucker who I spent a year and a lot of dollars looking for turned out to be born Harry James Tucker, however he married and died as Robert. Shows what they got away with in earlier years! Regards Christina

Pat, my (Irish) father had a brother always known as Harry. When Harry had a son- he was aalways Henry, or wee Henry. Five of the seven in the family had daughters named Mary, each has a 'tag' to distinguish them, using the mother's name where there was no second forename. Just had 3 days researching my family in Ireland- grandmother's family weren't called by their own surname, but nicknamed 'Red'- hair colour- because the surname was so frequent in the area. Confusing, but helpful in the end, if asking 'locals' for info! Good luck, 'Mary P.'!

Mary The Irish research discussions could take a similarly long thread. I know a guy called 'RED' his real name is Thomas but he wouldnt answer to that name if someone called it. John Ryan's more often end up being called 'RASHER' Ryan Murphy's often end up being called "SPUD" Murphy. It used to be worse, these days its less frequent but most names had a nickname to them, my father was a Farrell he was called 'ARRELLY'. Dont ask me I havent a notion about it all. LOL. Pat x