Genealogy Chat

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Hi All I have a family where the husband and wife change their christian names as the census' progress. In 1871 I have Richard and Catherine Southard. The census image is very clear so its not a transcription error) In 1881 They have changed to Robert and Caroline Southard (again a very clear census image is present) - did he remarry a woman of similair age and born in the same town as his previous wife ? Seems unlikley to me. In 1891 and 1901 he is back to Richard and she remains as Caroline. I have found him on 1851 and 1861 census as RIchard. I do think that this is the same family - does anyone else agree ? (I have included the relevent census entries below) Any thoughts anyone .... P 1871 Census ---------------- Richard Southard abt 1847 Exeter, England Head Catherine Southard abt 1847 Frome, Wife Catherine Southard abt 1865 Exeter, Daughter Harriett Southard abt 1867 Exeter, Daughter Alice Ann Southard abt 1869 Exeter, Daughter Elizabeth Southard abt 1870 Exeter, Daughter 1881 Census --------------- Robert Southard abt 1847 Exeter, Devon, England Head Caroline Southard abt 1847 Frome, Somerset, England Wife Lucy Southard abt 1867 Exeter, Devon, England Daughter Alice Ann Southard abt 1869 Exeter, Devon, England Daughter Elizabeth Southard abt 1871 Exeter, Devon, England Daughter Richard Southard abt 1875 Exeter, Devon, England Son Emily Southard abt 1877 Exeter, Devon, England Daughter Maud Southard abt 1879 Bedminster, Somerset, England Daughter 1891 Census ---------------- Richard Southard abt 1847 Exeter, Devon, England Head Caroline Southard abt 1847 Exeter, Devon, England Wife Emily Southard abt 1876 Exeter, Devon, England Daughter Maude Southard abt 1878 Bedminster; Bristol Daughter Frederick Southard abt 1885 Bedminster; Bristol Son Selina Southard abt 1888 Bedminster; Bristol Daughter 1901 Census ---------------- Richard Southard abt 1847 Exeter Head Caroline Southard abt 1847 Exeter Wife Emily Shellard abt 1877 Exeter Daughter John Shellard abt 1870 Cardiff Son-in-law Fredk Southard abt 1885 Bristol Rosy Southard abt 1893 Bristol Selina Southard abt 1889 Bristol Daughter

A search of the death and marriage indexes might show if he remarried but don't forget that the enumerators wrote up the census books we see from the original schedules so these COULD be transcription errors - but ones made at the time of the censuses rather than recently.

Thanks Judith I am trying to search the marriage records, but Ancestry's latest update doesnt make finding a spouse very easy! I was using the the link to the old database (http://www.ancestry*co*uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=5963) but that stopped working last night ! Looks like I am going to have to go to the FreeBMD site - but I hate their interface :( Oh Well ... P

Not trying to upset the apple cart but is there anyway that they are cousins? Many of my ancestors have duplicate families that drive me mad trying to find the right ones. Oh how they had led me a merry dance onlky to find I have been following the wrong one. Have you got certificates for everyone involved? You could be righ that they are the same family but learn from my mistake as it cost me months of research.

Hi Pippa Thanks for the advice, I am struggling at the moment to find the birth or marriage record for either Richard, Robert, Catherine or Caroline, as I am coming to the conclusion that certificates would be the answer. I've just been through 20 quarters of images - and eyes starting to hurt :( Cheers...P

Marriages Dec 1876 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rich Jane Exeter 5b 226 SOUTHARD Robert Exeter 5b 226 Stroud Caroline Exeter 5b 226 WILLS Robert Exeter 5b 226

Thanks Pippa, Thats just what I needed a fresh pair of eyes; So it looks possible that Robert remarried, now if I can just find a birth record showing him as Robert Richard Southard. What did you use to find that record ? As my ancestry is not letting me see the whole page? Thanks again ... P

Richard Southard Male -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Event(s): Birth: 1847 Exeter, Devon, England Christening: Death: Burial: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parents: Father: Mr Southard Family Mother: Caroline Mayne

Hi Pippa I did see this record on FamilySearch. But I cant find any reference in the actual images. I've trawlled 1845 to 1850. Also I cant find any census records for a Caroline Stroud b.1847(ish). I guess the Census details would have been given by the Head of the house, did he just keep using his previous wifes DOB details ??? But still moving forward though ... Thanks Again ... P

Weren't they in London at some point. What about this family? Caroline Stroud abt 1814 London, Middlesex, England Wife East Barnet Hertfordshire View Record Caroline Stroud abt 1846 St Pancras, Middlesex, England Daughter East Barnet Hertfordshire View Record Emily Stroud abt 1850 East Barnet, Hertfordshire, England Daughter East Barnet Hertfordshire View Record Joseph Stroud abt 1816 Hayes, Middlesex, England Head East Barnet Hertfordshire View Record Joseph Stroud abt 1844 St Pancras, Middlesex, England Son East Barnet Hertfordshire View Record William Stroud abt 1849 St Pancras, Middlesex, England Son East Barnet Hertfordshire

Hi Pippa Thanks for this - I think I have enough info to try my luck with a certificate or two. Thanks for your help, your extra pair of eyes has made all the difference :) ... P

No problems it was fun for five minutes. It's nice to take a look at someone else's family.