Genealogy Chat

Can't believe I didn't think to check under Lilly!! Yes that like her, I don't recognise anyone else in the family though. Many Thanks Sarah

Might this be her? Arthur Wm Barratt abt 1860 Plaistow, Essex, England Son West Ham Essex Julia A Barratt abt 1866 Plaistow, Essex, England Daughter West Ham Essex >>>>Lilly M Barratt abt 1869 Plaistow, Essex, England Daughter West Ham Essex Lucy Barratt abt 1841 Reading, Berkshire, England Head West Ham Essex Lucy A J Barratt abt 1864 Plaistow, Essex, England Daughter West Ham Essex William J Barratt abt 1851 London, Middlesex, England Stepson West Ham Essex Jane Hawkins abt 1835 Reading, Berkshire, England Sister West Ham Essex Merry

Merry, I have just looked up Lillian Barrett abt. 1869 born Plaistow on the 1871 census and no exact match has come up. However there are two possibles both born abt.1870 one in Bow and the other in Greenwich so both within the East London area. I'm going to have a look on the BMD index and try to find her birth index to send for her birth certificate. Sarah

Thanks, Phoenix I will look into that Sarah

From www.thefreedictionary. com: ward n. 1) a person (usually a minor) who has a guardian appointed by the court to care for and take responsibility for that person. A governmental agency may take temporary custody of a minor for his/her protection and care if the child is suffering from parental neglect or abuse, or has been in trouble with the law. Such a child is a 'ward of the court' (if the custody is court-ordered) or a 'ward of the state.' 2) a political division of a city, much like a council district.

If you looked for the 12-year-old on the 1871 census you might find the parents, which might help..... Do you have access to 1871? if not, post their names and I'll look! Merry

If the children are related to the head of household, it would be worth looking for their father's will. Guardianship is usually a formal position, conferred rather than self-imposed. Most orphaned children brought up by family would usually be described as nephews, grandchildren etc.

Hi Merry, Yes, they are children, one is 12 and the other 8 - Both have differing surnames to my ancestor but they are not ones I have come across on my family tree yet. It looks like I have some research to do on their surnames to find out how they came into his care. Sarah

Are they children? I would have expected them to be children being cared for by someone other then their parents or close family relative. You might fid the carer(s) are more distant family or Godparents or something. The parents might be dead or might be out of the country or unable to care for the children for some other reason. Merry

Thanks a lot for your help Sarah

Hi Sarah I think it means they are the official carers. Chrissie Oops - late as usual :))

The head of the household is their guardian. (Wardrobe and Garderobe originally meant the same thing, so did ward and guard)

HI--AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND 'WARD' REFERS TO A PERSON OR PERSONS THAT THE HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR---I.E.---CHILDREN. HOPE THAT HELPS. CHEERS --PAM--

Hi, Wondering if anyone can help, I've found an entry for my ancestor in the 1881 census. They are listed as the head of the household. However there are two others living their and in the 'relationship to the head of household column' they are listed as 'ward'. Can anyone tell me what this means? Thanks a lot Sarah