Genealogy Chat

hiya, firstly OC, st, giles mx is middlesex london, HTH, secondly i would tend to favour the census, for birth year, the reason I am stating this is:: My grandparents, grannie born 1901, hubby born, 1888, they marry in 1924, both aged 21, (he is actually 36 at time of marriage) HTH Julie

Yes Fran - you're so right! I should really give him the benefit of the doubt, but because of later events (my Grandad was ill-treated and put into a home) I probably am being a bit harsh! Allie LOL about your poor old Gt Grandad thinking his wife was still so young - that's love for you!

Hi OC There are a few JCS's about, but only one with the right credentials ie father George, b Scotland, right area of London, DOB (sort of). My Grandad (his son) was also JOHN CHARLES, born 1898 - this too is wrong on the index for the 1901 census as he is down as aged 13 due to a tick being mistaken for a one (he is actually aged 3!) I know there is a confusion in that his brother WILLIAM and he seemed to be christened at the same time, (familyhistory site) and I think this is where the initial confusion came - but that doesn't explain the false date on the marriage cert! Thanks Allie

Don't forget a lot of people were not sure how old they were and just guessed.I have a great grandmother who hardly aged at all and when she died her husband gave her age as 49.This would have meant that she started having children when she was 8! Fran

Hi Shirley Good advice which has helped me so much in the past! Sometimes you can get bogged down and a break definitely helps. HOWEVER in this case, it hasn't worked ....have just taken it up again after several months but still no clearer unfortunately! I don't want to give it up - I particularly wanted to sort it out before I meet up with his descendants (my aunts) at a family wedding in July! Thanks Allie

Well... I never take anything on a census as being particularly accurate. But equally, there can be mistakes on certificates too, either deliberately or unintentionally. Um - where is St Giles M? Have you tried to find a baptism for him? Are there millions of John Charles Somervilles, or only two or three? Can you account for all the others of this name? OC

But I find sometimes its better to take a break and go off on another tack & come back later. Some sites get updated & what wasnt there before is there later when you search. Never give up is my motto cos you never know what may come up

Hi Fran I don't think so as his bride is 18 and the figure is quite different. It has been mooted that he was trying to conceal his real age to make it nearer to hers! Thanks anyway! Allie

Could the 23 be a badly written 28? Fran

I have a conflicting DOB for my Gt Grandfather which has caused me so many problems! His age on his marriage certificate conflicts with that on the 1871 census, (it can only be him there!) and he is untraceable on any since, and I haven’t been able to find him on any BMD indexes! I’ve been going round in circles with his family for years now – the pieces are sketchy but I think I am almost there. I don’t want to claim someone else’s ancestor – how convinced does anyone else here need to be before claiming a rellie? If anyone’s interested (though people have looked before) the details are as follows on the 1871 census (RG9/184 52) JOHN CHARLES SOMERVILLE b c1866 St Giles Mx (however, his marriage cert in 1894 says he was 23!) Father GEORGE SOMERVILLE b ?1843 Scotland If anyone can find a birth for JCS I would be so pleased! Thanks

I've been having so many problems trying to sort out who my Great Grandfather & family were .....at which stage would you give up? pls see below!