Genealogy Chat

I always thought that my G.Grandmother was called Florence Walker, as that is my maiden name on my fathers side. As florence had 2 children out of Wedlock and on both of there birth cert' it said Walker, but when I optained Florence death cert it said her name was Florence Walker Todd maiden name Ridley. Why would she drop her maiden name and called her children by her middle name????? Any info would help PLEASE! The more I look into my family tree the more I seem to dig up. Thanks Sharron Knight (nee Walker or is it Ridley?)

I would guess that she was married twice and her birth name is Ridley. Maybe husband no1 died early in the marriage. One of my lot was married 4 times. He was widowed each time. George

Florence Walker (or Ridley) did marry a Blaylock back in 1915 but her to children Ada and Hilda Walker on there birth cert' it say's father unknown. So if she wasn't married why didn't she name here children Ridley instead of her middle name Walker ta sharron

Its possible that Florences mother was widowed while Florence was young and Florence adopted her stepdads surname. George

Maybe it was for appearance sake. She didn't want to give them her maiden name as that would make it obvious that they were illegitimate? Have you tried finding her birth certificate? It may even be that her death certificate is wrong. It's only as accurate as the person that registered it. Sorry for asking more questions than Ive answered! Rachel

On her death cert' it said Florence Walker todd (todd being her second husband long story) Maiden name Ridley. born 1895 penrith. I looked up on the 1837 on line for a Florence Walker for that year in Penrith found nothing, but when I looked up Florence Walker Ridley there it was. I also looked on the 1901 census because she would of been 5/6 and I can not find a thing. Help please cause I can't seem to get anywhere and I have been trying this for years......... ta sharron

Sharron I can find a 4 year old Florence Walker on the 1901 census born Westmoreland, Ravenstonedale. Westmoreland is in Cumbria but I'm not sure how near to Penrith it is. I went through all the Florence Walkers and Florence Ridleys age 4-6 and this is the only one that could fit. Rachel

thanks Rachal Yes it COULD be as ravendale in near Penrith. Did it say who her parents were? God everything is getting so confussing now. Would u know how to look up a place called Sandgate foot in Penrith. My dad said that is where he was put when he as born as he was born out of wedlock to Florences daughter Hilda.

Sharron I use the decoder so it took me a while to find them but: William Walker, 42, b. Durham Walsingham, Railway Signalman Margaret Walker, 27, b. Durham City Florence Walker, 4, b. Westmoreland, Ravenstonedale James Walker, 1m, b. Westmoreland, Ravenstonedale all at Ravenstonedale If I were you though, I'd order the cetificate that you found on 1837 as Walker is quite a common name (no offence meant!). I can't really help on the second point tho, sorry Rachel

thanks Rachal I think I'm barking up the wrong tree here. As her name is Ridley. Florence Walker Ridley. Thank-you anyway I'll just keep trying. sharron knight

Hi Sharron, Just a thought...... some of my relations had their mothers maiden names as middle names. (ie Luke Haffenden, son of Elizabeth Mann, was called Luke Mann Haffenden.) Perhaps her mothers maiden name was Walker? Hope you understand this!! Linda.

Thank u Linda, Any hints are welcome. I just can't understand why she would name her 2 children by her middle name which is probably her mothers name, and not by their rightful name Ridley. Which would mean I was never a Walker but a Ridley...The blot thickens ha! ta Sharron Knight