Genealogy Chat

I know, Quinsgran, I know, it is all such a muddle. This is what I have:

1) Marriage certificate William Banks (33) to Mary Ann Cobb (25)
dated 25 December 1874
St Saviour, Southwark, London, Surrey
Vol: 1d Page: 89

2) Free BMD Marriage Index
Mary Ridout
Jan-Feb-Mr 1874
Bethnal Green
Greater London, Mddx
Volume 1c Page 562
William Henry Banks is listed on same page.
(I will order this certificate)

3) Free BMD Birth Index
Mary Ridout
Year of Registration 1847
Jan-Feb-Mar
District: Camberwell
County: London, Surrey
Vol 4 Page 58

So yes, it's official, I am in a muddle. I have to:
--Research Mary Ann Ridout more thoroughly
--Check all the census records, although I am sure that Henry Charles did have many brothers, my uncle has confirmed this. He also told me that one of these brothers suffered an injury, maybe losing a limb. I was heartened to see that on the 1891 census Wm junior was a cabinet maker and in 1901 he was a mattress turner - "could he have been unlucky with a chisel?" I wondered. How naive!

I can only say that, when I was researching William Banks, about 5 years ago, I was new to genealogy and thought it would be simple. I have grown up since then.

And thanks, Portland Rose for checking the army records for William. I have a photo of Henry Charles Banks in uniform (it's on my tree), he's wearing jodphurs and carrying a riding whip. Somebody has writton on the back of the photo that he was in the Irish Dragoons. I haven't had the time to check out this aspect yet, and the badge on his hat isn't too clear.

I foolishly deferred retirement a few years back but I think I might need to do it now, just to keep on top of my ancestors!

I think you'd be better off getting Philip's birth cert. Then you'd know mother for sure. Getting Mary Ridout's marriage cert won't tell you if you've got the right couple.

Ozi.

There's always a possibility his name was changed between the birth registration and his baptism/marriage. That was the case with my grandmother.

What about this one?

Births Sep 1881
Banks Henry George Hackney 1b 599

I can't seem to find this one on a census or see a death.

Rose

Thanks Ozibird, I've already sent for Philips birth certificate and it gave Mary Ann Ridout for his mother. This was the start of my confused state.

Thanks Portland Rose, I have added that Henry to my spreadsheet, which is growing. I now have 5 within the age range plus one born 1843, I have no idea why I added that one. Losing the plot.

I'm going to make a list of certs to order and will send them off over the weekend. Then I just have to hang around for the postman to find the key to my ancestors. Well, this branch anyway.

I've really appreciated the support from everyone. I hope to be able to set the records straight soon.
Jenx

Hi
Could William have been born before his parents were married?
Do you have a maiden name of his mother?

Crossed over about birth record and mothers name
Found marriage of William Henry banks to Mary ann Ridout Mar qtr 1874
Bethnal Green

Yes, I found that one too, I'm going to send for it. They got married the same year as the William Banks and Mary Ann Cobb that I'd mistakenly put as Henry Charles's parents. What a coincidence. Why are there so many Mary Ann's around at that time, I wonder.

I think I might be back to the drawing board yet again as I have just received a refund on the marriage certificate for Mary Ann Ridout and William Henry Banks that I ordered, as there is no record on file.

Hmmmmm.

Was this from the GRO? What info. did you list when you requested the certificate. If you list too much and there is any discrepancy, they won't send it.

Rose

Thanks for replying, it made me look up what I had ordered and what I was copying it from; my order was for Vol 4 Page 58 - that's Mary Ridout's birth certificate.

If you hadn't asked I might well not've realised. I shall order the correct certificate immediately.

Just going to bang my head against a nearby wall.
Jenx

I have confirmation now that William and Mary Ann Ridout had a son called Henry, but it is Henry George not Henry Charles, my grandfather.

I think I shall start the search again, with just the facts as I know them, ie Henry Charles married my grandmother and, on the wedding certificate, his father is given as William Banks, a shoemaker. I don't know his wife's name. I can only guess at their ages.

The parish records will be online soon, who knows what they will reveal?

Do you have Henry's marriage cert? I don't suppose there are any relatives as witnesses if he married in Wales?

Rose