Mothers Maiden Sunrame On Birth Certificate

[Sheriff]

Hello,

I have a situation regarding the children of my G Grandparents.

From what I've learned, in total they had 14 children, with children 1, 7, 8 and 9 having a differnt Mothers maiden surname to the the other 9 children. Child 3 was born in 1909 so I'm not sure of his Mothers maiden name. I have several birth certificates stating the mother is the informant and she gives a different surname for her maiden name.

To me the obvious answer is the children had different mothers but does anyone have any other suggestions as to why this could have happened.

Thanks

Steve

 

[james houston]

Sorry can't help you with above request but noticed one of the names you are researching Wigget,i went to school with a Brian Wigget his family lived 3 doors away from us in Acocks Green.Jim

 

[Mike Fisher]

Have you seen the family entry in the 1911 census ?

 

[Shortie]

Perhaps the mother had been married before and on some of the certificates her previous married name rather than her maiden name?

I also have a Wiggett in my Birmingham tree, a Frank Wiggett born Worcester, circa 1881.

 

[Sheriff]

Hi Jim,

I've not come across a Brian Wiggett yet but G Granny Wiggett was one of 13 so he could be related to her.

Mike, at the time of the 1911 census they had 3 children and are living atat 5 Ct House Essex Street Birmingham
They are listed as James and Katherine Weston, Lizzie, Katherine and James.
Lizzie is Elizabeth Weston born Jan 1906 mother is Catherine Weston formerly Sheridan
Katherine was born August 1907 mother is Katherine Weston formerly Parkes
I don't have James's birth certificate. The 11 remaining children were born between 1911 and 1930.

I have a marriage certificate for a James Weston and Catherine Sheridan. They were married at St. Catherines in October 1907. James aged 22 is the son of Walter Weston an umbrella maker. Catherine states her father is Thomas Sheridan (deceased) age 21. They are listed as bachelor and spinster.
I found James on the 1891 (Aged 3) and 1901 census at 25 Severn St. in 91 and 36 Severn St. in 1901. On the 1911 census he gives place of birth as 36 Severn St. age 25. I've not been able to find a birth certificate for James. Also he had an older brother called James 1874 - 1886 (Last quarter). I found his war record which gives his address as 43 Essex St. Birton.

To Katherine, I found a birth record for Kate Parkes born 1887 so ordered that and found out that she was born in June to father James Parkes and mother Mary Parkes formerly Brannon. I'm unable to find a marriage certificate for James Parkes and Mary Brannon so assume they didn't marry. They appear together on the 1881 and 1891 census.

In 1899 Mary Brannon married Thomas Sheridan at St. Anns church. They are listed as bachelor and spinster. On the 1901 census they appear with 4 children Kate Sheridan who I believe is Kate Parkes, Emma who I am unable to find and Mary and Thomas. Mary was born in 1895 to Thomas and Mary Sheridan formerly Brannon.

I thought about what Shortie says and it could be because her mother remarried so Kate used the Sheridan at times and Parkes at other times. I don't know if the children knew but it must have made them wonder if they did.

Also if James Parkes was her father why state on the marriage cert that Thomas Sheridan was.

Shortie I don't have a Frank Wiggett on my tree but he could be related somewhere along the way. My Wiggetts came from Lapworth and moved into Birmingham.

Thanks

Steve

 

[Shortie]

Steve

The first thing that jumped out at me after reading this is that you may have purchased the wrong birth certificates. With common names you have to take it very slowly. You said you found a birth for Kate Parkes - did you check it out first and give the mother's name when you ordered the certificate? did you obtain it at Birmingham Register Office or from the GRO? The name Kate may have been her middle name, for instance, a lot of people were called by their middle name but not registered or baptised as such.

It is easy when you start out on this very interesting journey to want to get it finished quickly, but sadly that can lead to errors. I hope I am wrong and you are right, but I would certainly make sure I double checked everything prior to parting with my £9 for the piece of paper.

My Frank Wiggett was born (we believe) Worcester, but seems to have had no parents. In 1891 he was living with a couple in Rowington, and the next I find he has married my grandfather's sister. Family folklore has his parents going off to the Gold Rush and being drowned on the journey. I believe the Gold Rush was much earlier and that he was an illegitimate child. Only time will tell.

Shortie

 

[Sheriff]

Hi Shortie,
I streamlined how I arrived at Kate Parkes birth certificate. There's not that many Catherine or Katherine Sheridan's so I searched for Catherine or Katherine Parkes and managed to find Kate Parkes. The age matches and her mother Mary Brannon matches the mother of Mary Sheridan 1895.
i've spoken to a family member and mentioned 4 of the children having different mothers names. My relation said "Well 3 of them looked different"

I don't have Frank Wiggett on my tree but if I find one I'll let you know. Have you checked the dates for gold rushes? I'm not certain but I always thought there was a gold rush in Canada in the 1890's.

Steve

 

[Shortie]

Hi Steve

I still find this very strange and still also feel you have possibly got the wrong ones. I will send you and IM later tonight, with a suggestion. The fact the children all looked different does not mean a lot, but is it possible the mothers would all have the same Christian name? I may be well wrong, but I get an uneasy feeling about this.

I have checked the date for American and Australian Gold Rushes, but not Canadian. I feel that if the parents had really died on the journey, he would have known more - he did not even know his mother's name. I am busy with other things at the moment and not got time to pursue this line, but will look into it a little more shortly.

Shortie