Genealogy Chat

What about this theory? Mr & Mrs Ferguson finally manage to have a child after many years of trying. They call him Riley. Sadly the baby dies at 6 months. Mr Ferguson's brother and his wife are expecting a baby but his wife dies in childbirth. The brother gives the baby to Mr & Mrs Ferguson who are still distraught after losing their own son. Not sure of the legalities they decide to call him Riley too, don't have his birth registered and bring him up as their own son without any adoption taking place. But the couple are old and only live a few years. Riley then goes back to live with his true father. Come on John, we need your theory now!!!!

Me thinks it is time that the AMAZING MR RIPLEY is laid to rest - come on now - put us out of our misery!!! Jacqui

How about......His name was Ripley Riley Ferguson and shared his first name with his dad. So that his mum didn,t set up too much confusion she called her son by his second name. After his dad died Ripley wanted to get married so he called himself by his real name while doing the deed. Then...... I give up... Roger

John Scenario 2 Ripley born, Ripley dies, buried aged 6 months. Child adopted some years later as Ripley but prefers to be called Riley. Calls himself Riley all his life but named Ripley on adoption certificate. You cannot find his birth certificate because it us under another name. Gary

I keep telling you, there is no answer just an idea. Someone is getting closer to my theory but I could do with some more. John

Riley Ferguson was buried in Ripley Cemetery - some overenthusiastic funeral director took the initial details from the family, and correctly entered them on the cemetery interment form - put the forms back in his pigeon hole, or under a mountain of paperwork and forgot about them (or got distracted). When he came back to finish the forms off, he thought "Ooops! I've dropped a brick here - the man's name should have been Ripley Ferguson, who is to be buried in Ripley Cemetery - I had better change the forms". Thus Riley Ferguson was buried in Ripley Cemetery under the name of Ripley Ferguson. I am now going for a coffee (or something stronger). Jacqui

Watch it Marly! All this mirth and I might croak! hehehehehe Sonja not in froggie jammies right now! John : You mean I am not right? I AM surprised!!! ;) Not on anything yet but it could be the froggie jams!!

Nudging this up as I would like to know the outcome! Jacky

This is a bit far fetched but.....! Riley wants to travel later in life but is refused a passport .....!!!!!......so searches the records, finds the deceased Ripley Ferguson of about same age,(The name similarity is perfect for his purposes) and applies for a passport in that name. After his death the passport name is uused as ID....or he just stayed Ripley anyway. You can see why I'm not far with my ancestors! Joan

Ok, In answer to Crista, there was no gravestone but the cemetery records show he was buried as Ripley. I have ordered the death certificate so that I can check. Gary is getting closest to my theory. But, I was hoping for some input. Jacqeline is close (ish) There is no specific answer to this. I will reveal my thory this evening oooooooo, well they can't arrest you for it, can they? Sonja, I am now getting very worried about you, whatever you are on keep it to yourself or you will have us all hopping about. John

I was enjoying this. Where's the next bit?!

John How about this scenario. Twins are born Ripley and Riley. Riley dies aged six months but is confused with Ripley and buried as such. Ripley brought up as Riley and is recorded all the way through to his death as such. When he dies they discover his birth certificate which says Ripley and bury him as such. Gary

Crikey John! I reckon you had a MAJOR senior moment, lost the plot totally and couldn't remember which person belonged to what tree, twig, leqaf of bug crawling on the leaf! (Like I do heaps!) You totally confused yourself and ordered the wrong cert. Discovering this you have perpertrated the ultimate geno 'brick wall' to confuse the sleuths (like Marly) amongst us (certainly not me... I'm permanently confused!). To add a bit of smoke to the fire, you have chucked in the names like Ferguson, Ripley and Riley and blamed the poor transcribers and enumerators! THEN the men in little spaceships arrived ............. Followed shortly by the men in little white coats!! Rolling on the floor laughing in my frog pjs which is not pretty at 8 a.m. in the morn!! Sonja

John, So is Ripley on his gravestone and his death certificate? Crista

Come on come on you can do better. I need alternative theories. I am not saying mine is correct. Crista...... I don't know his parents yet! I think they died when Riley was a child but that's another story. The surname doesn't really matter but he is a Ferguson but mis-transcribed as Roban in 1881........ see message board about 16th Sept. for the full story. (he was my brickwall) He was born a Ferguson and died a Ferguson. Sonja............ Mills and Boon beckons........... you forgot about the bannister though, master and maid !!!!! John

I think Riley was originally not registered. Picture this: It is a warm evening, the heavy perfume of flowers hang in the air. A secret liason is about to errupt like Mt Etna!A married Mr Ripley paces, back and forth through the arbour as though his very steps will dimish his present concern. His brow is heavy and his normally gentle face, set and concerned. A distraught sobbing can be heard from a wrought iron seat where many a passionate embrace had occurred. A lady, other than his wife, slumps back against the seat, her pretty face partially hidden by long flowing hair. The bright moon light catches the silvery rivlets of tears streaming down he cheeks. The product of this passionate affair was your Riley. As Mr Ripley had already had a son born about the same time, he couldn't very well register the two as Ripley now could he? So poor Riley goes without saying. He goes through life unregistered as Riley, marries etc. Sometime in his life, probably his mother, told him of the dilemma surrounding his birth. He decides on his death bed (or shortly before) that he will be buried under his rightful birth name. After all, what can be done once he is pushing up the daisies? He tells his family that he wishes to have his name recorded at death as RIPLEY. He is by now, aged and rather cantankerous. To keep the peace, his tactful eldest son agrees and grants his fathers' last wish as a mark of respect for the man who brought him up. Well it sounded good when I was thinking about it! Sonja

Probably missed the plot here - but could he have reverted his names (or had them reverted) i.e. Ferguson Riley, rather than Riley Ferguson? No? I thought not - it's all too much for me. Goodnight Etches Jacqui - I mean Jacqui Etches!!!

John, What's he listed as in the 1881 census and who are his parents? You have to give us all the details you have if we're to make a guess. Crista

First Crista he is not on the 1881 census, well he is but not as Ferguson. You have not been following over the months. lol Come on I want your theories because I am not sure if mine is correct. Some original ideas please. John

My GGrandmother was born Crowson When her son was born she was Bromley maiden name Crowston, Her family is the same her father Crowston her mother Crowson her brother Crowson and her niece Crowston its no wander I'm so confused. Sue