Genealogy Chat

I have picked up some baptism's today of the children of my Henry and Eliza Boswell. They married on the 17th July 1880. In the 1881/91/01 census I have them living in Henfield, Sussex. They have an Eliza Mary Seymore Boswell living with them. I have found a baptism in Henfield for an Eliza Mary Seymour

Sorry added before I'd finished . She is baptised as Eliza's parents child though. But in the census Eliza and Henry say she is their daughter. Would the parents have lied to cover up this child born out of wedlock. With thanks for any opinions on this one. Clare

I take it that the child was born and baptised before the 1880 marriage? Was Seymour the MMN? Reg

Yes the child was born and baptised before the marriage and mothers maiden name was seymour. Clare At the time of the 1881 census parents are living next door but the Eliza stays with Henry and Eliza Boswell for 1891 and 1901.Not with Alfred and Jemima Seymour.

Yes or on behalf of my 4 x gt parents I claim an entry in the Guiness book of records. And others of the same family were all apparently capable of claiming to be child bearing into late 50s early 60s. Clive

Hi Clive are you saying their in the guiness book of records for lying about who they gave birth too? Did those children then go on to be claimed as the child of their child. To me it seems a bit strange to tell the minister one thing and a year later when she marries decide it's ok. to declare it as something else, especially as they stayed living in the same parish. Perhaps I should try looking for a marriage for her 20 years later to see who she declares her father to be. clare

Clare Most people would quail at lying to the Vicar, but would be perfectly happy to lie to the Registrar! However, I do know of one case where the Vicar KNEW that the child was their daughter's child, and not theirs - but he still baptised the child as theirs. He maybe squared his conscience by thinking that as the grandparents were going to bring up the child anyway, then it was only a technicality. But I usually have the reverse - tell the truth to the Vicar (who usually knows what is going on in the area) and lie to the Registrar, who doesn't know, and doesn't care! OC

Well most but not all were pre 1837. Strangely enough by the time there was a census the child had become a grandchild - wasn't that sweet! The vicar did not see the census!!! C

Hi Clive, I realise that the minister wouldn't see the census but surely he would have been observant enough to have noticed that they were bringing her up as their child after her parents had baptised it as theirs. Maybe he knew all along and went along with it to spare their embarassment who knows. Thanks for your help Clare

Hi OC, You maybe right I'm beginning to think maybe the minister was in on it. You made me laugh about the registrar not caring. Thanks Clare

Are you saying that Eliza and Eliza Mary are sisters? Not impossible, ...but strange choice of names. Gwyn

Hi Gwyn, I'm saying that the parish registers would have you believe they were sisters and the census that they were mother and daughter. Clare

These birth registrations on the freebmd site would seem to relate to that extended family....................... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Births Dec 1877 SEYMOUR Alfred Henry Steyning 2b 303 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Births Dec 1878 Seymour Eliza Mary Steyning 2b 305 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Births Mar 1880 Seymour George William Steyning 2b 328 When was the baptism? Could it be for adult Eliza prior to her marriage? Gwyn

Hi Gwyn, Are you suggesting that the baptism is for Eliza the adult before she married. If so the child was not baptised at all in Henfield and all Eliza adults, other children were. Clare

Have you got a separate baptism for Eliza ( the one with Henry)? If she wasn't baptised as a baby for whatever reason, sometimes people were baptised before marriage. Some vicars add helpful notes in the margin to remark on this. Have you seen a transcript .....or the actual parish register ( or filmed fiche)? The birth certificate of Eliza Mary should show her mother, even if no father is shown. Gwyn Gwyn

I agree.....It does sound more like young Eliza's baptism. Gwyn

Hi Gwyn, Thanks for your suggestion anyway as I wouldn't have thought about it being an adult but in this case I think It unlikely to be the case. Clare

I just find it strange that they would name 2 daughters Eliza. Gwyn

But if the census is right they didn't, Eliza Mary would have been Eliza's daughter not sister if you get my drift. i.e. They lied for her. Then when she married they gave her back to her. Clare

Thanks for all your help and suggestions. Not sure I will ever know for certain but have decided to go with my gut feeling and put Eliza Mary as daughter of Eliza Seymour before marriage adding in the notes that she was baptised as if she was parents , Alfred and Jemima Seymour's child. Clare